J. David,
You're correct; my oversight!
Thanks,
Kurt Bell

> I still list the Smithsonian as owner of
> former Potomac Electric Power #1, 0-4-0F
> (Heisler c/n 43) in storage at Silver Hill,
> MD. Am I in error?
> J. David


http://rrmuseumpa.org

I recall a rumor that they had a street railway post office car tucked away in a shed somewhere. Who knows...?

> I thought the Smith owned PRR GG-1 #4882 The
> "Washington Union" engine.

Well, the Smithsonian definitely does not own #4882 because that was not the Washington Union Station wreck participant. GG1 #4882 is owned by the National New York Central Museum in Elkhart, Indiana (and I know what you're thinking, but it's not PRR - it's been restored to Penn Central livery).

I have heard that the Smithsonian owned #4876, the locomotive that crashed into Union Station. However, at the moment I am fairly certain that it is owned by the B&O Railroad Museum. The locomotive is certainly stored in Baltimore, and I don't think the Smithsonian has anything to do with it anymore. It's possible that SI owned it at one point and transferred it to B&O, but the Institution doesn't own it anymore.

Frank Hicks

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

It seems that I recall someone at SEPTA telling me that one of Philadelphia's Broad Street subway cars was repainted in its original livery and destined for the Smithsonian when the last of those cars were retired about 1984 or so. Might want to check that out Kurt.

hcastle@rcn.com

Years ago I lost a bid on an old wooden work car that had been converted from a private car that a Mr. A Lincoln had ridden. What remained of the car was most of its black walnut interior under 85 coats of enamel. Rumor had it that the Smithsonian got the car ... will be interesting if it shows up on the inventory.

lamontdc@adelphia.net

Kurt,

It was #4876, not #4882. Sorry!

Rob


trains@robertjohndavis.com

> My thoughts exactly, Steve. Very well
> articulated.

> K.R. Bell

It also stems from marketing,something the railroads got away from many years ago. When you see an airport sign,you recognize the outline is that of a 747.The general public knows what it is,and most of them cannot be said to be air buffs,or even regular flyers. Cant that be said of a 2-8-2? A 4-8-4? An SD90MAC?

kbcotton@flash.net

> It seems that I recall someone at SEPTA
> telling me that one of Philadelphia's Broad
> Street subway cars was repainted in its
> original livery and destined for the
> Smithsonian when the last of those cars were
> retired about 1984 or so. Might want to
> check that out Kurt.

The first car built for the Broad Street Subway, SEPTA (ex-City of Philadelphia, I believe) #1, is currently owned by SEPTA and is in storage. It was indeed repainted in its original two-tone green colors at one point; I hadn't heard that it was for the Smithsonian, but that makes about as much sense as anything. Pretty interesting!

Frank Hicks

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com