John J. Coit
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John J. Coit (1875 – 21 September 1910) was an American experienced railroad engineer, who built and operated four miniature railways in California.
John J. Coit worked initially as a master machinist at the Johnson Machine Works but could not continue in this profession because he became physically handicapped.[1] He built and operated several miniature railways in succession:
- Seaside Park Railway
- Long Beach and Asbury Park Railway
- Eastlake Park Scenic Railway[2]
- Venice Miniature Railway
His oilfired steam locomotive No 1903 with a total length of 5.80 meters (19 ft 0 in) from tip of pilot to end of tank couple and a height of 1,295 millimetres (51 in) from the top of rail to the top of stack was of the 2-6-0 type Mogul.[2] The locomotive had some technical innovations, such as a valve control without eccentrics, which was easy to adjust and to maintain. The locomotive had also automatic couplings and a bespoke oil burner, for which Coit filed a patent.[1][failed verification]
From July 1908 he worked as a locomotive engineer on the main line of the Panama railroad, while the Panama Canal was being built. He was employed by the Atlantic Division, and his residence in the Canal Zone was at Culebra.[3]
