Nostalgia & History > Locomotive - Defined:

locomotion 1646, formed in Eng. from L. loco "from a place" (abl. of locus "place") + motionem (nom. motio) "motion, a moving." The act or power of moving place to place.

locomotive (adj.) from 1612, "pertaining to movement," from French locomotif (feminine - locomotive), from Latin loco "from a place" (abl. of locus "place") + Lower Latin motivus "moving" (see motive). The noun meaning "railroad engine" is from 1829, shortened from locomotive engine (1815).

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

Ah the French and gender based nouns! Must be why we call engines she or her?

Ozzy Osbourne was a little off the mark referring to the Crazy (loco) Train!

Don't forget that famous French track engineer "Tooloose LaTrack"