А. Онеггер - “Pacific 231“

In 1923, steam locomotives, the height of modern technology, were fast and exciting. Although airplanes were newer, and automobiles and roads were quickly improving, steam was still the prime mover of high-speed transport. The excitement of seeing a huge working locomotive flash by spewing steam, smoke and cinders is hard to describe. Their eerie whistles were at once frightening and exhilarating. Trains were a symbol of technology improving people’s lives, of the hope for an exciting new future.