M. M. BLAVIER AND LARPENTS ENGINE "L'AIGLE", 1856

     This engine was designed by M. M. Blavier and Larpent and made by Messrs. Gouin of Paris for the Western Railroad of  France and was exhibited in the Paris Exposition of 1855.

     The engine had 16½" cylinders, 31½" stroke and four coupled wheels of 9'4" diameter.

     The form of the boiler was such as to permit of the convenient disposal of the axles, but as the Engine never answered any useful purpose, probability is given to the natural suspicion that such a boiler could not produce steam rapidly and economically.

     She was the most striking example of the employment of large driving wheels on a narrow gauge road.