America’s First Locomotive Marks 200th Anniversary

On Jul 11, 2025

This year marks the 200th anniversary of America’s first locomotive, built by inventor John Stevens whose family founded Stevens Institute of Technology.

Stevens, an American inventor and engineer, built America’s first locomotive in 1825. At 16 feet long and slightly over four feet wide, it was powered by steam, a novelty for the time. To run the locomotive, Stevens constructed a circular half a mile-long wooden rail track on his Hoboken estate, overlooking the Hudson River.

Next spring, Hoboken residents were amused by an astonishing spectacle: a carriage that moved entirely on its own with no horse pulling it along. The carriage ran on the wooden track, its huge wheels put in motion by the steam generated by its engine. The public was invited to experience and enjoy the locomotive, and “guests were delighted to ride at six miles per hour,” with the unique rides eternalized in historic photographs.

Considered the grandfather of American railroads, John Stevens was a passionate advocate for technology and innovation, envisioning steam-powered railroads at a time when most people didn’t think the idea could work. But as the miniature “steam wagon” ran for about three years, it paved the way to the New Jersey’s Camden and Amboy Railroad, founded by John Stevens and his son Robert in 1830. And although the first steam engine had to be imported from England, three more were produced at Hoboken locomotive shops in the early 1830s. As railroads grew, they replaced stagecoaches and spearheaded our country’s railroad transportation.

This year marks the 200-year anniversary of America’s first locomotive — a precursor to trains — which ushered in a new era of railroads. Trains are what made the United States of America truly united by way of rail transport, which was vital for the country’s development and economic growth. President Abraham Lincoln promoted the railroad during the Civil War as a way of binding the nation.

Today, trains are back in style, according to the Travel Market Report — in large part due to their greener nature, smaller environmental footprint and the “slow travel” concept in which travelers settle and enjoy the journey. Trains are once again becoming a favored mode of transportation — and in some cases even more of a destination.

Today, Stevens’ engineering legacy continues at the Stevens Institute of Technology, which his family founded, fostering new generations of scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, the replica of the first American locomotive is on display at the Stevens library — a symbol of the university’s commitment to technological progress.

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