2005 $2 200th Anniversary of Steam Locomotives: LMS 2MT 2-6-2T, Mint Sheet of 4, Bequia

2005 200th Anniversary of Steam Locomotives
Mint Sheet of 4

• Mint sheet of four stamps celebrating the 200th anniversary of steam locomotives
• Stamps picture original artwork of different steam locomotives

Issuing Country:  Bequia
Value:  $2 Bequia
Format:  Sheet of 4

Why the stamps were issued:  To commemorate the 200th anniversary of steam locomotives.

About the stamp designs:  The stamp designs picture full-color original artwork of the LMS 2MT 2-6-2T, Green Arrow, LMS Stanier Class 5MT 4-6-0, and Liner Class A4 Sir Nigel Gresley steam engines.  The stamps includes the name of the locomotive as well.  The selvage includes an image of a bustling train station with a “200th Anniversary Steam Locomotives” seal.  There is also a railroad track design around the outer edge of the sheet.

History the stamp represents:  The first known steam locomotive to haul a load over a distance was built by Richard Trevithick in 1804.  From then on, steam locomotives were used extensively by countries around the world but especially by the United Kingdom.  They were the most common locomotives for almost 100 years before slowly being replaced by electric and diesel models in the early 1900s.  Most steam locomotives were retired from service by the 1980s, but a few remain to pull tourist trains or heritage/historical lines.