B&O RR Museum/black history exhibit and Pullman porter talk

Sloan · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:33 pm

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/ ... 0831.story

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:32 pm

The following was posted to TrainOrders.com, reposted here in its entirety:

Quote:

Visitors to the B&O Museum in the past, may recall seeing among other things, a old snowplow, boxcar, coal car, and C&O caboose in the back lot under a awning. The caboose will be returned to the C&O Historical Society, while the other pieces will be placed on the deadline out front, along the fence and out of view, or out on the west end of the museum property. Because the tracks in which these peices are son currently has no connection to the other museum tracks, a 350 ton crane will be brought in on site next week, and will begin to move those pieces and a few others onto active tracks so they can be moved to thier new home. Visitors know that some of these pieces are falling apart, and there appears to be no funds in the foreseable future to restore them. Once the area is cleared out, the tracks will be removed and the area will be paved allowing for more covered, and a flat, even surface for special events. A sidewalk will also be put in to the special platfrom used duing Steam Days or Thomas (Last weekend in April, 1st weekend in May BTW). In the past, visitors included those in wheelchairs had to trudge through ballast to reach the special platfrom. Personally, as a volunteer there, I don't agreee with removing the tracks, and thus reducing the amount of area we have for displaying equipment, but the powers that be at the museum feel this is in the best interest of the museum. I do not have an exact schedule for next week, other than it being suggested that the entire project less paving, will take all week. I've also been told that access to the back yard area will be limited, so don't rush out there next week expecting to get great shots. If I go up and am able to get any shots, I will post them.

Chris Bogley
Bowie, MD

Stationary Steam · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:51 am

So let me get this straight. The B&O Museum is going to take some cars which are deteriorating but under a roofand move them somewhere where they will not be under a roof for storage. Why not just cut them up in place? Even better yet park them out by the 4876 so the transients can have some more firewood for their campfires.

If I remember right there is a large area between the pavilion and the roundhouse. Why not just pave that area instead of dooming these cars? It seems that with every passing year I get less and less impressed with the actions of so called "professional" museum management.

C. Edwards · **Joined:** Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:56 am **Posts:** 55

I'm staying out of the overall comments, but I will point out that the "roof" being discussed is a very high structure that is open to the west. Apparently part of some long ago plans for a movie theater or something as part of the Mt Claire Junction Shopping Center. Because it is open to the west, and about 60-100' high, basically stuff under it still gets wet, without the full light of the sun at other times to dry it....

And BTW the 4876 has been enclosed in the fenced in area at the restoration shop for well over a year now and therefore out of reach of "transients."

wesp · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:30 pm

Back to the subject of Sloan's post:

The exhibit and talk on Pullman porters is a great event. The Museum is also offering an interesting promotion - $1 off on Valentine's Day for visitors wearing red.

Besides this example, the on-going Pullman exhibit at Green Bay, and our recent program at National Capital, is anyone else doing a program for Black History Month?

Wesley