According to Wikipedia, a “steam dummy” was a combined steam engine and passenger coach, which was known as a “tram engine” in Europe. Now I know what Toby was! (a companion of Thomas the Tank Engine on “Thomas and Friends,” the likes of which I never encountered in real life).

Indeed, that type of vehicle seems to be depicted on the cover of this sheet music found at the Library of Congress:


RIDING ON THE DUMMY
Words by Sam Booth, music by F. G. Carnes.
San Francisco: Geo. W. Hagans, ©1885.

1. Of all the ways of traveling by coach or carryall,
By steamer stage or railway car, the dummy beats them all.
A fat man stumbles on the steps and stands upon my toes,
Then flops over a lady’s lap and almost breaks her nose.

CHORUS: Riding on the dummy, glad to get a seat,
With a jolly company all looking gay and sweet,
Riding on the dummy with the darling I adore,
And viewing hills and dales with joy I never felt before.

2. One bright and sunny afternoon from off the crowded street,
A lady stepped upon the car but could not find a seat.
“Oh! Take my seat,” a gallant said; “Oh! Thank you, sir,” said she.
A sudden jerk and down she sat right on the deacon’s knee.

3. When near the park I whisper’d to the angel just by me,
To take a stroll among the trees, their loveliness to see.
In flow’ry paths and grassy lawns we saunter’d up and down,
And vows of love did interchange ere we came back to town.