B&O Railroad Museum

You won't see the EA as it was moved to the shop for a (much needed) cosmetic restoration. I think a 2-3 year timeline was given. I think it was moved sometime last fall.

Most - but not all - of the equipment that is not in the roundhouse (which includes stuff in the car shop) varies in condition from horrific to "not good". Items in the roundhouse are literally in mint condition.

They do offer occasional tours of the shop. There is one this weekend (I was thinking of going) and another late in the fall/summer I think.

Okay.  That's what I wanted to know.  Thanks for the prompt and informative reply.

I highly recommend a visit.  It's a great place.  It has more equipment stored indoors than most museums.  Yes, there are some deteriorating pieces out front, but that negative vibe is usually cast from a few whining foamers.

CO2707 posted:

I highly recommend a visit.  It's a great place.  It has more equipment stored indoors than most museums.  Yes, there are some deteriorating pieces out front, but that negative vibe is usually cast from a few whining foamers.

I would hardly consider myself to be a "whining foamer" but a "call it like it is" observer who visits the museum several times a year. I also didn't say everything that wasn't in the roundhouse was a mess. A lot of it is but not all of it.

One thing I'll give the museum a lot of credit for - their restorations are truly top notch and a it is not uncommon for something to pop out of their restoration shop with no press release, fanfare, etc. One example was the B&O Business Car in the "back lot". I forget the name but for a few years it was showing it's age. A year later, it had been totally repainted and returned to it's original spot. I checked the museum website and saw no press release or fanfare which is somewhat common when they release something. They also do a good bit of contract work for local municipalities. They just restored a really beautiful B&O Caboose for a town in Maryland which name escapes me. They also restored the B&O Budd RDC Railcar that is currently in Gaithersburg, MD, among other things.

Was the EA one of those damaged...When the roof fell in?  Forget when that was, or the cause...Snow?

colorado hirailer posted:

Was the EA one of those damaged...When the roof fell in?  Forget when that was, or the cause...Snow?

No it was not damaged when the roof collapse backed in either 2008 0r 2009.

645 posted:

Here is a link showing the EA taken on October 2, 2016:  http://www.railpictures.net/photo/608436/

As noted above it is in the restoration shop and will take a few years to complete the process. To OP - hope you are aware that you will need to purchase a ticket to tour the restoration facility and there are only four dates it is open to the public in 2017:  http://www.borail.org/Restoration.aspx  Two of those dates are THIS weekend - March 18th and 19th!

Nice image. Does anyone know if they will be doing an as delivered headlight nose piece for it?

SJC posted:

CO2707 posted:

I highly recommend a visit.  It's a great place.  It has more equipment stored indoors than most museums.  Yes, there are some deteriorating pieces out front, but that negative vibe is usually cast from a few whining foamers.

I would hardly consider myself to be a "whining foamer" but a "call it like it is" observer who visits the museum several times a year. I also didn't say everything that wasn't in the roundhouse was a mess. A lot of it is but not all of it.

One thing I'll give the museum a lot of credit for - their restorations are truly top notch and a it is not uncommon for something to pop out of their restoration shop with no press release, fanfare, etc. One example was the B&O Business Car in the "back lot". I forget the name but for a few years it was showing it's age. A year later, it had been totally repainted and returned to it's original spot. I checked the museum website and saw no press release or fanfare which is somewhat common when they release something. They also do a good bit of contract work for local municipalities. They just restored a really beautiful B&O Caboose for a town in Maryland which name escapes me. They also restored the B&O Budd RDC Railcar that is currently in Gaithersburg, MD, among other things.

SJC, that comment wasn't aimed at you.  I've just heard the museum receive a lot of unnecessary negative comments over the years.  Mostly on other forums.

It pleasing to see the EA in the shop; a bit too bad it wasn't done a few years ago in time for the 100 year celebration at Washington Union Station and Spencer.  But you can't have it all!

Number 90, in the South Shop, there is a nice display of prime movers that you might find interesting.  I walked by them for years and only recently stopped to look at them.   You may also like the "local freight" that is in the front lot, by the parking lot.  B&O's collection of first and 2nd generation diesel locomotives isn't shabby.   

The collection of 19th century locomotives in the roundhouse is nothing short of amazing.  It is all the more interesting since most have been restored over the past decade.  Recently, the round house has been re-arranged to put the locos/cars into mini-displays that put them more into historical context instead of just hardware sitting in a roundhouse stall.  

I tend to learn something new every time I visit.  Most recently realized #147, the 10 wheeler (the William Mason is the same way) had blind front drivers.  This caused me to then realize the pilot truck is fixed to the frame and does not move independently.  

Bob

Thanks to all who replied.  Good information.  Unfortunately, we will be there after the March dates for shop tours.  But we're going, and that checks a box I have been wanting to check for many years.

We're taking Amtrak from Lamy, NM, to Washington D.C.  We travelled the same route a couple of years ago, and had a very nice trip.  If things work as planned, I may have an interesting photo of our Chicago layover on the return trip.

trumptrain posted:

colorado hirailer posted:

Was the EA one of those damaged...When the roof fell in?  Forget when that was, or the cause...Snow?

No it was not damaged when the roof collapse backed in either 2008 0r 2009.

Actually, it was in February 2003, the infamous President's Day storm.

CO2707 posted:

SJC posted:

CO2707 posted:

I highly recommend a visit.  It's a great place.  It has more equipment stored indoors than most museums.  Yes, there are some deteriorating pieces out front, but that negative vibe is usually cast from a few whining foamers.

I would hardly consider myself to be a "whining foamer" but a "call it like it is" observer who visits the museum several times a year. I also didn't say everything that wasn't in the roundhouse was a mess. A lot of it is but not all of it.

One thing I'll give the museum a lot of credit for - their restorations are truly top notch and a it is not uncommon for something to pop out of their restoration shop with no press release, fanfare, etc. One example was the B&O Business Car in the "back lot". I forget the name but for a few years it was showing it's age. A year later, it had been totally repainted and returned to it's original spot. I checked the museum website and saw no press release or fanfare which is somewhat common when they release something. They also do a good bit of contract work for local municipalities. They just restored a really beautiful B&O Caboose for a town in Maryland which name escapes me. They also restored the B&O Budd RDC Railcar that is currently in Gaithersburg, MD, among other things.

SJC, that comment wasn't aimed at you.  I've just heard the museum receive a lot of unnecessary negative comments over the years.  Mostly on other forums.

Mostly on another prominent forum with a poster who has to bring up his sour feelings almost any time he comments. It gets tiresome doesn't it? 

Number 90...i went there on our way to FLA and it was incredible ! I thought i died and went to heaven ! i said as much on a video ! they have one of everything . you wont be disappointed...great experience not to be missed. conrail john

I worked at the Museum for 13 years and volunteered for a few before that.  It is interesting to read the good and bad comments on the place.  

Having seen how things are run and some of the people who have gone through the place it seems that after it was sent on its own as a non profit with a nice endowment from the railroad there was a period of collecting, restorations, as well as operations and involvement with the railroad on various projects.

After a change in upper management that brought a lot of their "friends" into the operation it seemed to regress back into the Marion Smith Days.

I try and keep my mouth shut for I could tell a LOT of war stories and some of the unreasonable things that went on.

The reason for this post  the EA

It is in the shop for work and will probably emerge looking as it was retired in 53.  You probably will not see the return of the pointed pilot or the Stainless steel wings on the front.  She still has both of her Witons an is pretty complete inside except for the generators.  The belts are still hanging from the pulley's from when they were removed.  I used to eat lunch in the thing a lot and it is a very interesting engine.  One of the neat features is the triangular shaped wood trim on the inside surrounding the porthole windows.  I hope that in the cosmetic restoration, they will pay attention to details.  When we did WM 236 the original sandwich panels were replace with steel sheets. We did however buy the correct screws from EMD and replaced all of the copper drain lines from the side grills.

Spoony81 posted:

CO2707 posted:

SJC posted:

CO2707 posted:

I highly recommend a visit.  It's a great place.  It has more equipment stored indoors than most museums.  Yes, there are some deteriorating pieces out front, but that negative vibe is usually cast from a few whining foamers.

I would hardly consider myself to be a "whining foamer" but a "call it like it is" observer who visits the museum several times a year. I also didn't say everything that wasn't in the roundhouse was a mess. A lot of it is but not all of it.

One thing I'll give the museum a lot of credit for - their restorations are truly top notch and a it is not uncommon for something to pop out of their restoration shop with no press release, fanfare, etc. One example was the B&O Business Car in the "back lot". I forget the name but for a few years it was showing it's age. A year later, it had been totally repainted and returned to it's original spot. I checked the museum website and saw no press release or fanfare which is somewhat common when they release something. They also do a good bit of contract work for local municipalities. They just restored a really beautiful B&O Caboose for a town in Maryland which name escapes me. They also restored the B&O Budd RDC Railcar that is currently in Gaithersburg, MD, among other things.

SJC, that comment wasn't aimed at you.  I've just heard the museum receive a lot of unnecessary negative comments over the years.  Mostly on other forums.

Mostly on another prominent forum with a poster who has to bring up his sour feelings almost any time he comments. It gets tiresome doesn't it? 

I am almost certain I know who you are talking about. While I don't pay for that forum, I do read it and from what I can read, it does get quite old, quite fast to have threads even remotely related to the museum or the American Freedom Train turn into an B&O axe sharpening event for that one dude.

Be prepared to see the only mainline steam locomotive from the CNJ. 592 may be out of service but at least we have 113.

Number 90 - Tom, as others have already said ( paraphrasing here ) the B&O Museum is truly wonderful!  It houses the first train station, Mount Clare Station, of a US common carrier railroad.  The first scheduled train to ever depart within the US departed from Mt. Clare Station, which is housed within the museum. The famous race between the horse drawn carriage and the Tom Thumb locomotive started here at Mt. Clare.   I believe, and I could be wrong but, the first telegraph message " what hath God wrought" originating in Washington DC sent by Morris was received at this station ( transmitted  through wires alongside the Washington branch of the B&O )  as well.  As you already know there is LOTS of history here.  

As a member of the B&O museum for many years, I've seen nothing but improvements over the years, especially since the B&O Museum and the Smithsonian have partnered. 

The display of equipment is quite remarkable!  The old 19th century pieces within the roundhouse  are in immaculate shape.  If you choose to do so, you can ride the museum train over the first mile of common carrier railroad in the US.  And yes there are some pieces of equipment in the front of the museum that need some restorative work.  I'm confident that  the museum management, staff, and volunteers will get to those pieces when time, facilities, and money become available.  

There is one piece of equipment, Pennsy GG 1 number 4876, that sits rusting away. It can be viewed on the train ride along the first mile.   I wish the B&O Museum would do cosmetic restoration.  This was the engine that pulled the Federal from Boston with passengers coming to attend Eisenhower's inaugural in January 1953.  The train lost it's brakes and crashed through the bumping post and into the main concourse of Washington's Union Station as I'm sure you know this story.  This engine was cut up into pieces, removed from Union Station, put on flat cars, taken back to Altoona, reassembled, and was back out on the mainline pulling trains by the end of 1953.... quite remarkable!  The last time I  inquired with museum there were no plans to cosmetically restore 4876. 

While you are here, you may also want to check out the first railway terminus in Ellicott City, Maryland.  This station is also part of the B&O Museum and your price of addmission paid in Baltimore will also get you into this museum as well.  While there really isn't any equipment except for a caboose, there is alot of history that compliments the bigger museum in Baltimore.  

Drop me an e mail and let me know when you are coming to town.  If our schedules permits (mine tends to be extra full in the spring ) perhaps we can meet up.  My e mail is in my profile.  

Enjoy your trip Tom!  

I love the B&O Museum. Truly a wonderful experience and NOT to be missed by true train folks. When you come up to the Big Apple, let us know !!

Eliot

SJC posted:

CO2707 posted:

I highly recommend a visit.  It's a great place.  It has more equipment stored indoors than most museums.  Yes, there are some deteriorating pieces out front, but that negative vibe is usually cast from a few whining foamers.

I would hardly consider myself to be a "whining foamer" but a "call it like it is" observer who visits the museum several times a year. I also didn't say everything that wasn't in the roundhouse was a mess. A lot of it is but not all of it.

One thing I'll give the museum a lot of credit for - their restorations are truly top notch and a it is not uncommon for something to pop out of their restoration shop with no press release, fanfare, etc. One example was the B&O Business Car in the "back lot". I forget the name but for a few years it was showing it's age. A year later, it had been totally repainted and returned to it's original spot. I checked the museum website and saw no press release or fanfare which is somewhat common when they release something. They also do a good bit of contract work for local municipalities. They just restored a really beautiful B&O Caboose for a town in Maryland which name escapes me. They also restored the B&O Budd RDC Railcar that is currently in Gaithersburg, MD, among other things.

The town in Maryland is Mount Airy.  The cab sits just off Main Street across from the old train station on a section of the B&O's Old Main Line that ran through town back in the day.  BTW, don't forget that 1309 used to be a static display at the museum before its rebirth on the WMSR.

Poppyl

trumptrain posted:

I believe, and I could be wrong but, the first telegraph message " what hath God wrought" originating in Washington DC sent by Morris was received at this station ( transmitted  through wires alongside the Washington branch of the B&O )

Morris

Morse

( No worries, we joke about that on amateur radio forums.    )

Farmer_Bill posted:

trumptrain posted:

I believe, and I could be wrong but, the first telegraph message " what hath God wrought" originating in Washington DC sent by Morris was received at this station ( transmitted  through wires alongside the Washington branch of the B&O )

Morris

Morse

 

( No worries, we joke about that on amateur radio forums.    )

This October 2016 photo does show the EA in the museum shop and evidence of work-in-progress.
Mitch Goldman image via RYPN.

I visited the museum a few years ago.  We had a hard time finding the parking lot because we didn't recognize the entrance.  It looked like a fenced off alcove to us.  The neighborhood got very sketchy at the next street corner. 

I loved the inside exhibits but the parking lot displays made me want to cry.  Seeing the Allegheny was the highlight of my visit.  It really is HUGE!

Nathan

Coming all the way from NM to DC and Baltimore it may be a shame not to stop by Strasburg. PA.   The PA state museum has a couple of acres of restored PRR equipment INDOORS directly across the street from the Strasburg steam railroad complex which you can ride to Paradise Junction, it runs steam all the time.  Walk  over  the grade crossing & you will find the CHOO-CHOO Barn housing a decent 3 rail display.  Hobby shop next door.

Down the street  less than a mile is the national headquarters and museum of TCA which shares the RR crossing with the caboose motel. 

Outside there are many other classic PRR locomotives around the turntable. 

Next month we will have the 0 Scale meet in the Strasburg fire house.   About 100 tables of 0 scale interest really priced right!

Kind of a heavy duty RR visit out in farm country with acres of free safe parking.

North East USA has a strong concentration of RR interest and history.  Also, I believe the heaviest concentration of OGR subscribers.