Get your scissors, glue, and a lot of patience ready, because today I bring you a D.I.Y. project from the 19th century. (A basic grasp of French – or access to an online translator – might also come in handy!)
Part of a series of “Petites Constructions” created by the French company Pellerin & Cie, the colorful and detailed sheet provides instructions to start building your own paper train model, starting with the locomotive and tender. And below we have the “Wagons” or train cars, so you can add on to your train.
And if you’re still feeling crafty, you can also construct this French company’s vision of an American train station in Maryland, complete with people to populate the station.
Learn More:
- Explore other examples of paper cutouts in the Popular Graphic Arts Collection in the Prints and Photographs Division.
- View the photo at right and two more for a peek at the construction of a locomotive in 1904. Moving forward in time a few decades, the Horydczak Collection provides other photos of the construction of a railroad engine.
- Enjoy color photos of a locomotive shop in 1942 Chicago from the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Color Photographs Collection.