ck permitted the
introduction of Mogul and Consolidation type freight locomotives. This
drawing shows a typical installation for a Consolidation of the 1880's.
Item A is the equalizing lever which connects the truck to the springs
of the front driving wheels. From figures 891-3 in J. G. A. Meyer,
_Modern Locomotive Construction_, New York, John Wiley, 1904, p. 543.]

At first Bissell's 2-wheel truck received wider application in Europe
than in this country, because most American roads, despite the interest
in developing heavier freight locomotives, continued to depend upon the
4-4-0 as a dual-purpose machine. It was not until after 1870, when Mogul
and Consolidation types appeared in greater numbers, that the 2-wheel
truck became common in the United States.

The first use, known to the writer, of the Bissell pony in this country
occurred in November or December of 1859 on the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad. D. H. Feger, master mechanic of the railroad reported, eight
months later, that since the locomotive had been fitted with the Bissell
truck "she has never left the rail and previous to her having this truck
she was off the rail almost daily."[21] In the same report Feger stated
that he planned to re-equip another locomotive in the same manner.

[Illustration:

ANTHRACITE COAL BURNING FREIGHT LOCOMOTIVE
ROGERS LOCOMOTIVE & MACHINE WORKS

FIGURE 11.--The New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company _No. 36_,
built by the Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works in 1863, was one of the
first locomotives to be equipped by this firm with a 2-wheel Bissell
truck. (_Smithsonian photo 46806-m_)]

The Baldwin Locomotive Works in December 1860 built a group of rather
awkward looking 2-6-0's for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
Equipped with Bissell trucks, these were undoubtedly among the very
first new locomotives to be so built. The first consolidation type was
built by Baldwin in 1866; it was equipped with a 2-wheel Bissell safety
truck.

The Rogers Locomotive and Machine Works and the New Jersey Locomotive
and Machine Works, both of Paterson, New Jersey, in the early 1860's
began building Moguls; these are known to have had Bissell trucks. Other
builders followed their example, so that by the 1870's 2-wheel trucks
had become relatively common.

It should be noted that the 2-wheel truck was not an absolute success
until it was equalized with the front driving axle. This arrangement was
perfected in 1864 b