Early SCRR Locomotives, from Types of American Locomotives pen and ink drawing by Theodore West, 1885

By the end of 1834, the SCRR had purchased the astounding total of fifteen locomotives, of which nine were built in the United States. The first two engines in particular, the West Point and the Best Friend (rebuilt as the Phoenix after the world's first locomotive boiler explosion) gave excellent service. Horatio Allen steadily urged the need for more wheels, increased engine size, and better ability to lead around curves.