1912 American LaFrance 'Metropolitan' Steamer - American LaFrance "Metropolitan" steam fire engines are generally acknowledged as the best steamers ever built.  Designed by Charles H. Fox in 1898, the Metropolitan line was built until 1917 in a wide variety of sizes.  This example, built for Harrisonburg, Virginia, is capable of pumping 600 gallons-per-minute and weighs a whopping 6,800 pounds.  This steamer would have been drawn by two horses whereas larger models weighing over 10,000 pounds would be pulled by three galloping horses.  Belching smoke, and spectacular decorations made the steam engine era the most visually exciting.  This level of elaborate gold-leaf scrollwork is typical of the time period.

Vehicle on display at the beautiful American LaFrance Museum in North Charleston, South Carolina and Courtesy of American LaFrance, LLC.