George Thomas

George Thomas, of Oakmont, PA, was a member of the Pennsylvania Live Steamers. He built at least three 1-inch scale live steam locomotives.

Carl A. Purinton reported the following in The Miniature Locomotive, November-December 1952:

George Thomas of the Pennsylvania Live Steamers brought his 1 inch Philadelphia and Reading 4.6.0. It attracted a lot of attention as it was not only a good engine but the only "Mother Hubbard" there. The trollies for this engine had a straight air brake system. This could well be a good system for the larger gauges and everyone will be looking forward to learning more about it in some future issue of The Miniature Locomotive.

Bill Shields wrote on Chaski.org:

1-inch scale loco, weighs in at around 100 pounds, designed so that all water comes THROUGH the smoke box / saddle. 4 bolts on saddle (shown) and 3 on the drag beam and off comes the boiler, cab, pump..you name it. Built in 1966 by George Thomas (Philadelphia area)....for when he got 'old' and not able to lift an assembled 1" loco any longer. Man in photo is Bob Blackson.

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  Bob Blackson shown setting the removable boiler on this 1-inch scale live steam locomotive. The loco was built by George Thomas in 1966. Photo by Bill Shields.

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  The late Ken Souser of the Pennsylvania Live Steamers is shown driving George Thomas's 1 inch scale RDG 4-6-0 camel-back at the 20th Anniversary BLS Meet on August 31, 1952. His passenger is unidentified New Haven engineer. From Live Steam Magazine, June 1972.