Locomotive History Quiz
Instructions: Chug through history and recall facts about famous locomotives and railway milestones
- 1.
The 'Rocket,' built by George and Robert Stephenson, won a famous trial in 1829. What was the trial called?
AThe Grand ChallengeBThe Rainhill TrialsCThe London Speed TestDThe Industrial Race - 2.
The Transcontinental Railroad in the United States was completed in what year?
A1859B1879C1865D1869 - 3.
The 'Big Boy' was one of the largest steam locomotives ever built. Which railroad operated it?
AUnion PacificBSouthern PacificCSanta FeDBurlington Northern - 4.
The 'Flying Scotsman' is a famous steam locomotive from which country?
AIrelandBEnglandCWalesDScotland - 5.
Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive to run on rails in which year?
A1784B1814C1794D1804 - 6.
The Mallard holds the world speed record for a steam locomotive, set in 1938. In which country was this record set?
AUnited StatesBGermanyCFranceDEngland - 7.
The 'Golden Spike' ceremony marked the completion of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad at what location?
APromontory Summit, UtahBDenver, ColoradoCSacramento, CaliforniaDOmaha, Nebraska - 8.
Diesel locomotives began replacing steam locomotives primarily in which decade in the United States?
A1920sB1940s-1950sC1960sD1930s - 9.
The 'Tom Thumb' was an early American steam locomotive built by whom?
AJames WattBPeter CooperCRobert FultonDGeorge Stephenson - 10.
The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1885, connecting which two Canadian cities?
AOttawa and CalgaryBToronto and VancouverCMontreal and VancouverDHalifax and Victoria - 11.
What innovation did George Westinghouse bring to railroads in 1869?
AThe electric telegraphBThe diesel engineCThe air brakeDThe sleeping car - 12.
The 'Hogwarts Express' in the Harry Potter films was filmed using what real-life heritage railway?
ASevern Valley RailwayBNorth Yorkshire Moors RailwayCJacobite Steam Train (West Highland Line)DBluebell Railway - 13.
The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives was the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in what year?
A1820B1830C1815D1825 - 14.
George Pullman became famous for introducing what luxury feature to American trains?
AAir conditioningBObservation domesCDining cars onlyDSleeping cars - 15.
The 'Bullet Train' (Shinkansen) began service in Japan in 1964, connecting Tokyo to which city?
AHiroshimaBOsakaCNagoyaDKyoto