The crowd when I showed up at 10--just after a members-only ceremony, I understand--was rather sparse, what one might expect on any ordinary Saturday morning. The volunteer docents (in embroidered blue shirts and tan slacks all) and staff probably outnumbered visitors, at least while I was there.

Restoration staff told me that the loco was retired from active steaming because of a thin/failing crownsheet. As the current crownsheet is not original, it can be replaced, but the money wasn't in the budget to do so at this time. So, future operability is not ruled out.

These came through on Facebook, by Dave Henderson via Pre-1895 Railroads & Steam Engines (Public Group).

We are looking at B&O 25, the William Mason, following its now completed cosmetic restoration to what have been determined to be its original colors.

It was pretty shocking to see some earlier photos with green wheels--but now that she's completed, the effect is quite striking.

I've said this about some other things, but once again, it is as if we are looking at something we shouldn't be seeing, a different and colorful view of the past that we've been so used to seeing in black and white and shades of grey.