Rogers locomotives were, from very early in the company's history, seen as powerful, capable engines on American railroads. The "Uncle Sam", serial number 11, a 4-2-0 (a locomotive with two unpowered axles in front, followed by one powered axle) built in 1839 for the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company, was noted by "American Railroad Journal" for hauling a 24-car train up a grade of or 0.49% at . In 1846, Rogers built what is referred to as the largest 6-wheel truck engine (4-2-0) in the United States; the "Licking", serial number 92, built for the Mansfield and Sandusky Railroad, generated of steam pressure and could pull a train up a grade of or 0.3%.