My wife and I took our six year-old grandson to the B&O Museum for his birthday. It was steam day with the St. Elizabeth's engine on the excursion train and the William Mason doing chase and run-by duties in the vicinty of the new shop building. Our grandson was not as awestruck by the operating steam engines as I was, but he had a great time. Grandma enjoyed watching the two of us.

A few comments from observing our grandson. Highlights in no particular order of importance were

- Climbing around in the B&O caboose on track one. He liked the access to the cupola, and hiding in the open closet space under one side ofthe cupola.
- Sitting in the engineer's seat on Clinchfield #1 and being able to move the throttle and brake levers and turn valves.
-Walking through the Ma&Pa mail car and C&O wooden coach (several times)
- Lots of safe space to run around in and simply be 6 years old in the company of one of the world's finest collections of railway equipment and buildings.
- Playing on the wooden train set out back.

This was my first visit since well before the roof collapse in 2003. I was impressed with all of the changes and improvements.

Question - The Clinchfield #1 had a steam gauge that only registered 60 lbs. Was that the operating presure when the engine was towing its "baggage car" and coaches?

Comment - It would be nice to have the engine run around the excursion train. Having the Mason follow us out was great, but the layout did not allow a view of the engine at the front of the excursion train.

Summary: Admission for three $31; Engineers hat for child $7.50 Lunch $13.25; Grandson's enjoyment - priceless.


Wesley


http://images.costcophotocenter.com/232323232%7Ffp%3A%3C%3Dot%3E2339%3D%3B23%3D%3C26%3DXROQDF%3E2323%3A433%3A89%3B9ot1lsi

I liked your report. It brought me back to my first time at Mid Continent in 1963. I was 8 yrs old. I loved the same things your grandchild did. Especially the caboose and cupola.

With all the talk about restorations, museum politics, and public relations, I think your post hits on all the truely important areas of concern. At least from the tourists perspective. I enjoyed your post! Cheers, John.

Depending on which trip you rode, you just might have seen me out along the line next to a videotaping Museum staffer.

What you might have also seen was the destroyer-convoy-like smoke screen being laid down by #4! Seriously, I've seen locos "smokin' it up" for photo charters that didn't do that impressive a pollution job! Blame bad coal or inexperienced firemen as you wish; all I know is that I saw BCFD Engine 14 rolling east on Frederick Road while I was checking my PO box, saw the black smoke to the east, and assumed a multi-alarm rowhouse fire. I counted/saw at least TWO local fire calls answering to smoke being laid down by #4, this in spite of what I was told by the previously-mentioned staffer that they tell the local fire department before every Steam Weekend that they're about to "smoke up" the neighborhoods! The Mason, by contrast, had as clear a stack as one could ask for.

I don't recall for certain, but it is quite possible that the No. 1 was de-rated to 60 psi. I recall that the condition of her boiler in the later years was quite marginal-thus the need for the locomotive to be pushed by the semi-disguised F series B unit that was MU'd to the No. 1. Unlike other locomotives such as Western and Atlantic No. 3 (General) or the Wm. Mason, No. 1 never received any significant amount of shop time. The General and Wm. Mason (on the other hand) were both significantly rebuilt several times and received meticulous attention to their care prior to each post-retirement operation. I don't know about the Wm. Mason, but the General was totally overhauled after her retirement in the following years: 1891, 1925(?) and 1961.

Number One carried 125 psi in her excursion days, de-rated from 160 on the Black Mountain.

B&O 25 received a new boiler when it was rebuilt for the Fair of the Iron Horse in 1927; however, the steel is only 3/8" thick, still limiting its psi rating. I do not remember for sure, but I think the Strasburg derated its Form 4 boiler pressure when it was overhauled for the Wild Wild West movie.

Steve Zuiderveen

Thanks for the update. If the engine ran at 125 psi then maybe the current gauge (60 lbs) on Number One is a stand-in for the exhibit.

Wesley

One of the crew of B&O 25 today told me the boiler is rated to 85 lbs, they don't go higher than 75, but often run their short run at 40-45.

Seeing 25 on the 1:30 "run by" by the restoration center with the lower fall sun was a sight to behold. But I would have liked to have seen the Tom Thumb replica, just for fun. I understand the replica was recently serviced and judging from the oil dripping under the engine it sure looked it had been run recently.

The Porter didn't seem to smoke so much today.