That is cool. Too bad no one has made a movie with it.
How about a "Steam Powered Covered Wagon"? On the Oregon Trail, when it got steep, hitch a chain from the steamer to the tongue of the wagon behind it. Taking a huge load off the animals pulling the wagons.
"Old No.7" here, could work the rear of the trail. Helping on the downhill slopes; "Black Label" will cure the daily trail dust problem, and probably help them sleep better.
Wouldn't need "camp fires" neither. "Steam" your veggies; that old rock hard bread; and some rabbits if the boys had any luck during the day.
Would this have worked on "Wild Wild West"?