This steam engine and water tender were built by Wagner and Son of Plainfield, Illinois, circa 1925. They were initially used to operate a children's train ride, likely at a park or amusement centre. The steam locomotive is a type of railway locomotive that produces its pulling power through a steam engine. Steam locomotives dominated railway transportation from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century. The advent of diesel-electric locomotives in the mid-20th century eventually led to the replacement of steam locomotives in most applications. However, steam locomotives are still used in some places for tourism and heritage railroads. The locomotive and water tender at the Rural Life Museum is an examples of using steam locomotives in tourism.