What improved?
Two upright cylinders work through overhead beams and gears. The wheels need grip, even though neither the wheels nor the rails have teeth.
THE ENGINE ROOM / 09
Small parts. Big discoveries.
A little steam. A clever machine. Let’s see what makes it move.
ON THE WORKBENCH0-4-0 · Beam and gear drive1814 · 0-4-0 · Beam and gear drive
Explore the steam history timeline
3D MODEL
Puffing BillyThis shows the preserved four-wheel arrangement. Puffing Billy also ran on more wheels during its long working life. Small valve fittings are simplified.
Drag to turn · Scroll or pinch to zoom · Right-drag or two-finger drag to panTap a part to discover it
Ready when you are
FROM THE HISTORICAL RECORD · 1814 · 0-4-0 · Beam and gear drive
THE ENGINE’S STORYMeet Puffing Billy
Puffing Billy carried coal at Wylam in Northumberland. Built in 1813–1814, it helped show that smooth iron wheels could grip smooth rails well enough to pull a train. It is the oldest surviving steam locomotive.
Original, replica or teaching model?
Read the source This shows the preserved four-wheel arrangement. Puffing Billy also ran on more wheels during its long working life. Small valve fittings are simplified.
How did life change?
Coal moved from the mine towards the river. Engine crews took over work once done by teams of horses.
In the archive
Select a photograph to look closer. Captions distinguish originals, replicas and related examples.
Original Puffing Billy preserved at the Science Museum, London.
Slashme · CC BY-SA 4.0Archive record ↗
YOUR NEXT DISCOVERY
Look closer. Have a go. Find out.Think like an engineer.
Grip or slip?
Will the wheels grip or slip? Choose how hard to pull on dry, wet and sandy rails.
Load 1 of 3 · Dry rails · Needed pull: 4 blocks.
Available grip: 8 blocks. Stay at or below this number.
No timer. Try as often as you like. These puzzles explain ideas; they are not instructions for operating a real engine.