After WW1, the relations between Romania and Western Europe turned cold due to a series of events:
- American President Woodrow Wilson publicly supported the unification of the Kingdom of Romania and the region of Transylvania, despite the opposition of some European countries
- During WW1 the Romanian naval fleet, at the request of France, was given to Russia, with the promise from the French government that any damage that the ships will take will be covered by France. After the war ended only a small number of ships were returned, and all in very bad shape, and no monetary compensation was given.
- during the war, to avoid a Danube controlled by Russia or Turkey, the European Commission for the Danube took control over the Romanian sector of the river, including the city of Sulina, with the promise to return them after the war, and place it under Austrian government. Romania managed to get them back in the late 30s after a very long and complex process.
- because Romania had a program to protect its national rail, water and air transport against the competition from foreign companies, UK placed an embargo
- German led cartel of coal and steel actively tried to stop the development of the Romanian steel industry
In this complex context, Romania turned towards the United States and so a great economical, political and social collaboration started, turning the Eastern European country in an American enclave in Europe.
After WW1, colonel Edwin St. John Greble, Jr moves to Romania as CEO of Baldwin Locomotive Works for Central and Eastern Europe. Through this company, in 1939, the Romanian tycoon Nicolae Malaxa, a great supporter of the U.S.-Romania deal, obtained the license to build Sante Fe steam locomotives. The first one 151.001 was completed in 1939 and the second one, 151.002 in 1940. Both were stolen by the Russians during the soviet occupation. 151.001 was scrapped, while 151.002 was returned in a very bad state.
In the image below is the 1951.001 right after it was finished.
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