In May 2011, I purchased an MTH Railking SW1 switcher in Chessie/C&O #8401 livery. It wasn't until December when I got to the B&O Museum.
The Museum has the real #8401 - currently in its original Pere Marquette #11 appearance. Remember Pere Marquette became part of the C&O and later Chessie. When #11 was on the Chessie, it's number was #8401. The real #11 was once the "daily driver" at the B&O Museum but hasn't been run in a number of years. I believe it was built in 1942 and is all original mechanically and electrically. My understanding is the museum wants to keep the miles of the C&O/B&O, etc pieces - Something I can understand although I'd love to see some of the old operational diesels in the collection run. #11 is still operational, with one of the volunteers saying all she needs is batteries and water. Needless to say, when the museum rail operations volunteers saw my model of the engine, they got a kick out of it. It did get a good work out hauling a short train on the National Capital Trackers layout after a photo on the real #11.
The museum also has the C&O 490 "Yellowbelly" as well. A number of years ago, I took my MTH Railking Proto2 model and took a picture of it as well but no longer have the photo. Time to re-do it this year!
