What are some negatives and positive things about the steam locomotive?

Answer 1

Steam locomotives revolutionized transportation in the 19th century by enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods and people, thus spurring economic growth and industrialization. However, they also had significant downsides, including environmental pollution from coal emissions and the intensive labor required to operate and maintain them. Additionally, steam engines had higher operational costs compared to later technologies like diesel and electric locomotives. Despite these drawbacks, their historical impact and engineering innovation remain significant.