John Swatsley (American, B. 1937) "The Toronto Locomotive" Signed lower right. Oil on Illustration Board.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Canada 32? Toronto stamp issued March 10, 1983. Dodging the snorting locomotive's bursts of steam, crowds of passengers board the long line of cars. The conductor calls out a last warning to late arrivals ... and dense clouds of black, murky smoke belch out of the cone-shaped stack. The great engine begins its rhythmic pant and chugging motion, that gradually swell to a quickened roar. Beyond the town lies the open country, where, gathering speed, the locomotive comes alive with power. With a long trailing whistle, the steam engine signals the train's departure into the Canadian West. Such was the scene from an era long ago ... when the first Canadian-built steam locomotive -- the Toronto -- hauled passengers on the Ontario, Simcoe & Huron Union Railway. Built in 1853, by the James Good Foundry in Toronto, Ontario, the Toronto was a thirty ton, wood-fired steam engine. This historic engine began its career as a passenger locmotive, providing fast and comfortable transportation to people traveling across Canada. Eventually, the Toronto hauled freight as well as passengers. In 1881, the Northern Railway made an important gauge change which made the Toronto obsolete. Her operators felt it was more expedient to scrap the engine than to change its gauge.

Image Size: 13.75 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 19.75 x 17.5 in.
Unframed. (B08296)

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