Can anybody describe how the equipment was arranged in the roundhouse prior to the collapse. I know that pieces are shifted periodically, and my last information (from July, 2001) is probably out of date. This would help in understanding what was damaged, and what remains safe -- for now.

Tom Cornillie

rrhistorian@hotmail.com

In general, equipment was arranged in chronological order of item's age (or its prototype, in cases of replicas) clockwise (from above) beginning at the main entrance from the office building. As I VAGUELY remember, it started with the Nova Scotia Directors Car (1838 or so), the Tom Thumb/stagecoach cars and/or the Andrew Jackson, Memnon, William Mason, Camel, Thatcher Perkins, wooden coach, I think we're up to the track leading outside to the door where PM 11 was, then another loco, caboose/WM bus, Ma & PA baggage/mail, Royal Blue car, Clinchfield 1, CNJ 592, CNJ 1000 boxcab/B&O electric switcher 10, and the EA.

All of this was subject to rotation and change, of course, and I think my memory is quite faulty. I think I only saw one of the two vintage 1863-ish coaches in the aerial view; the other may be in the restoration shop.

As noted before, the half that was damaged started at the Andrew Jackson and went around to the Ma & Pa baggage-mail (first track clear of a straight-down fall). In short, all the oldest stuff.

lner4472@bcpl.net

> In short, all the oldest stuff.

Yes, just as Sandy says. Equipment usually under that section of roof includes:

0-8-0 Memnon
4-4-0 William Mason (if not in car shop)
4-6-0 Thatcher Perkins
4-6-0 Davis Camel
2-6-0 J.C. Davis
2-8-0 A.J. Cromwell
CNJ 1868 Wason Coach (one of 2, other in car shop)
SW-1 PM11
B&O I-5D caboose C2222

In short, all the major mid-to late- 19C steam.
I am heartbroken over this.



eledbetter@rypn.org

Late last month the William Mason was still in the car shop- does anyone know if this was still the case? I just caught the arial shot on the CBS Evening News. I'm just sick. I only hope it is not as bad as it looks.

http://hometown.aol.com/depot88/index.html
JMFouchard@aol.com

> Late last month the William Mason was still
> in the car shop- does anyone know if this
> was still the case?

Unfortunately, the locomotive was moved back into the roundhouse last month. The AP photo below, which shows deputy director Ed Williams operating the turntable, accompanied an article about the Fair of the Iron Horse in CNN's Travel Section.

CNN article  

rrhistorian@hotmail.com

I was at the museum this past week, (either Wednesday or Thursday) and the Mason was NOT there at that time. The newly restored 0-4-0T #4 the former St. Elizabeth's Hospital engine was placed in its place.

The Mason was moved to the car shop for preparation for the "Fair of the Iron Horse." I believe the turntable photos were taken of the engine being removed from the roundhouse.

My biggest concern is for the two ex-CNJ wooden passenger cars of 1867 vintate, coach #20 and baggage car #21, although the entire extent of the damage has yet to be determined.



kevin.r.gillespie@verizon.net

The Mason engine was reported to be in the car shop, while both CNJ coaches were in the roundhouse.

We are very fortunate the Mason locomotive has been spared. We will have to see regarding the CNJ coaches - perhaps the most nationally important peices of rolling stock aside from motive power in the collection. The more recent photo shows one of the cars with great amounts of debris but somewhat intact. Next to it is a car which has clearly suffered structural failure of its beams, but no windows are visible and it may be the baggage mail car. I do not know of the second CNJ coach.

Bill Withun's assessment suggests we should prepare for the worst. The good part is that both cars were in good shape structurally and may enable a future reconstruction more readily than many other wooden cars.

Jim Wilke

> I was at the museum this past week, (either
> Wednesday or Thursday) and the Mason was NOT
> there at that time. The newly restored
> 0-4-0T #4 the former St. Elizabeth's
> Hospital engine was placed in its place.

> The Mason was moved to the car shop for
> preparation for the "Fair of the Iron
> Horse." I believe the turntable photos
> were taken of the engine being removed from
> the roundhouse.

> My biggest concern is for the two ex-CNJ
> wooden passenger cars of 1867 vintate, coach
> #20 and baggage car #21, although the entire
> extent of the damage has yet to be
> determined.


woodburner@earthlink.net

> The Mason engine was reported to be in the
> car shop, while both CNJ coaches were in the
> roundhouse.

There are actually three wooden passenger cars of 1870s vintage and presumed CNJ pedigree in the B&O collection--two day coaches and the baggage car. The baggage car and one coach were in the roundhouse, judging from the post-collapse photographs and common recent museum practice.

The other coach has been buried deep in the car shop in poor cosmetic condition every time I've ever been to the Museum. I don't know for certain but I consider it highly probable it is still in the car shop and no worse for wear.

eledbetter@rypn.org

> The other coach has been buried deep in the
> car shop in poor cosmetic condition every
> time I've ever been to the Museum. I don't
> know for certain but I consider it highly
> probable it is still in the car shop and no
> worse for wear.

I can confirm that as of last Thursday the other wooden coach (#21 if my memory is correct) was NOT in the roundhouse. I believe it must still be in the car shop.

kevin.r.gillespie@verizon.net

Thanks for the update. Its good to hear one of the coaches is safe. I believe their original CNJ numbers were 255 and 261. Reconstruction of the car in the roundhouse may necessitate a great amount of renewal, yet no doubt much original wood can be used.

Jim Wilke

> I can confirm that as of last Thursday the
> other wooden coach (#21 if my memory is
> correct) was NOT in the roundhouse. I
> believe it must still be in the car shop.


woodburner@earthlink.net