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Steam Locomotives Trivia Quiz

A short quiz about steam locomotives.

A multiple-choice quiz by StarWarsBuff. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
StarWarsBuff

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
91,097

Updated
Jun 19 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1255

Last 3 plays: Guest 165 (8/10), Guest 5 (6/10), Guest 172 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In what year was the FIRST steam locomotive built? Hint

1806

1810

1808

1804

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What is the common name for a locomotive with the wheel arrangement
4-4-0 (4 lead wheels, 4 driving wheels, and 0 tailing wheels)? Hint

American

German

European

Austrian

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What is the worldwide standard gauge of track?(gauge is the distance between the rails) Hint

4', 8.5"

4', 9"

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What steam locomotive holds the all-time world top speed for a steam locomotive? Hint

The Flying Scotsman

The 999

The Mallard

The Hardwicke

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. The largest steam locomotive (in terms of tonnage) ever constructed had a wheel arrangement of: Hint

4-8-8-8-4

4-9-9-4

4-4-4-4

4-8-8-4

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The SP 4449 engine is a: Hint

4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler

4-6-6-4 Challenger

4-8-4 Northern

4-6-2 Pacific

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The UP 3985 engine is a: Hint

4-6-6-4 Challenger

4-6-2 Pacific

4-8-4 Northern

4-6-0 Ten-Wheeler

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What was the last railroad company to use steam locomotives for regular interchange service? Hint

New York Central

Milwaukee Road

Santa Fe

Norfolk and Western

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. On what day was the Transcontinental Railroad (USA east to west) completed? Hint

June 10, 1869

June 1, 1869

May 1, 1869

May 10, 1869

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. On what day in what year was the last steam engine retired from regular interchange service in America? Hint

June 7, 1959

May 7, 1952

May 7, 1960

June 7, 1955

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 20 2024 : Guest 165: 8/10
Dec 18 2024 : Guest 5: 6/10
Dec 18 2024 : Guest 172: 7/10
Dec 18 2024 : Guest 139: 10/10
Dec 11 2024 : Guest 96: 8/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 71: 9/10
Dec 10 2024 : Guest 82: 0/10
Dec 07 2024 : Guest 94: 5/10
Dec 04 2024 : Guest 172: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In what year was the FIRST steam locomotive built?

Answer: 1804

The locomotive was built by Richard Trevithick.

2. What is the common name for a locomotive with the wheel arrangement 4-4-0 (4 lead wheels, 4 driving wheels, and 0 tailing wheels)?

Answer: American

The 4-4-0 American, also known as the American Standard locomotive, was originally built in 1848, and survived in one form or another for over 50 more years.

3. What is the worldwide standard gauge of track?(gauge is the distance between the rails)

Answer: 4', 8.5"

The 4 foot, 8 and 1/2 inch gauge was invented by Robert Stephenson.

4. What steam locomotive holds the all-time world top speed for a steam locomotive?

Answer: The Mallard

The Mallard's speed record is 126.5 mph, which has never been broken by another steam locomotive.

5. The largest steam locomotive (in terms of tonnage) ever constructed had a wheel arrangement of:

Answer: 4-8-8-4

This locomotive was aptly named "Big Boy".

6. The SP 4449 engine is a:

Answer: 4-8-4 Northern

SP used these locomotives for their famed "Daylight" services.

7. The UP 3985 engine is a:

Answer: 4-6-6-4 Challenger

This is my story of how the Challenger got its name: When a buyer became so cynical of the the locomotive's claimed abilities he said it was impossible for any locomotive to meet that "challenge". When the locomotive was able to meet the claims, it was named the Challenger.

8. What was the last railroad company to use steam locomotives for regular interchange service?

Answer: Norfolk and Western

The Norfolk and Western (now Norfolk Southern), a major U.S. railroad, used its steam locomotives to haul the coal that was the railroad's main freight.

9. On what day was the Transcontinental Railroad (USA east to west) completed?

Answer: May 10, 1869

The T.C.R.R. was built by the Central Pacific (west to east) and the Union Pacific (west to east). The tracks met at Promontory Point, Utah, amid much fanfare. The presidents of both companies finished the trackbuilding by hammering gold and silver spikes into a laurelwood tie.

10. On what day in what year was the last steam engine retired from regular interchange service in America?

Answer: May 7, 1960

This event happened ON MY BIRTHDAY. Perhaps it explains why I love trains so much...

Source: Author StarWarsBuff

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ozzz2002 before going online.
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