RAILWAYS - CHARLESTONID92910054
As the current year of 2021 is the European Year of Rail and also marks the 80th anniversary of Renfe, we wish to dedicate the collection to the history of the railway so as to draw our customers closer to the evolution of one of mankind’s most important modes of transport.
The collection consists of 20 coins: 15 issued in 2021 and the other five, in 2022.
On the obverse, an image in colour of a replica of the steam locomotive, Best Friend of Charleston. On top of the central image, the legend BEST FRIEND OF CHARLESTON. Outside the image, devices reminiscent of different rails.
On the reverse of all the coins, inside a central circle, the legend HISTORIA DEL FERROCARRIL (HISTORY OF THE RAILWAY). Underneath, the value of the coin: €1.5 EURO. Outside the central circle, an image of a railway track.
| Series | History of Railways |
| Year | 2021 |
| Colour | Yes |
| Diameter (mm) | 33 |
| Face Value (Euro) | 1.5 |
| Metal | Cupronickel |
| Weight (g) | 15 |
| Maximum Mintage (units) | 7,000 |
Best Friend of Charleston
Maker: West Point Foundry
Year of production: 1830
Country: USA
Traction: Steam
Transport: Passengers
Top speed: 32 km/h
Diameter of the driving wheels: 1,371 mm
Tensile stress: 206 kg
Working pressure: 3.5 kg/cm2
Cylinders: 2 (152 x 406 mm)
In the United States, the age of the railway began on January15 1831 when the South Carolina Railroad launched the country’s first regular service. The train was hauled by the Best Friend of Charleston. Designed by E.L.Miller, an engineer in the employ of the operating company, this, the first autochthonous locomotive, was made by the West Point Foundry (New York). Thus, the first step was taken towards freeing American railways from their initial dependence while the foundations were laid for the country’s industry to become one of the biggest in the world. Between them, all the companies, such as the Baldwin Locomotive Works, the Schenectady Locomotive Works and the American Locomotive Company, made 176,750 steam locomotives over a period of 119 years.
Put into production on the initiative of Horatio Allen but designed by engineer E.L.Miller, the Best Friend of Charleston was noted for the vertical position of the boiler, which jutted out from the end of the chassis. The furnace, placed horizontally beneath the boiler, featured a double wall full of water, considered to be the first tender. Two cylinders, situated at the opposite end of the boiler, drove an axis worked by a crankshaft. The two driving wheels had a diameter of 1,371 mm; working pressure was 3.5 kg/cm2; and the locomotive reached a top speed of 32 km/h whilst hauling five cars.
On June 17, there was an explosion caused by the mishandling of the safety valves by the stoker, who died as a result. The locomotive was rebuilt with a number of improvements and returned to service with the apt name of the Phoenix.