Checking another off the "Bucket List", I visited the Henry Ford Museum today, along with Greenfield Village. Of course the feature piece is C&O Allegheny 1601. THE big loco is in beautiful shape, intact, greased, and painted. The cab is accessible, but portions are closed off from visitors. Unfortunately, parts of the collection were behind barriers due to renovation of the experimental automobile collection.
The cab, which features microswitches under significant controls, triggering recordings of appropriate sounds.
The massive six wheel trailing truck, which made the Allegheny so powerful when dragging loads of coal.
Contrast between ages of technology.
Outdoors, the little 4-4-0 "Edison" was fired and running this day. The "Torch Lake" was down for the day.
The roundhouse at Henry Ford is capable of a full locomotive restoration. The docent I spoke with told me they have contracted to rebuild other locomotives, but presently, the shop has enough to do to maintain their own fleet. Near completion, #7, a 4-4-0 run by Ford himself, has been entirely rebuilt for service. Within two weeks, they expect to re-attach boiler to frame and drivers.
One stall is dedicated to this gorgeous 4-4-2, built by American Schenectady works.
Note the headlight, complete with oil wick and copper reflector. And no, she is not going to run. The Atlantic is too fast to be effectively run at Greenfield Village. Dang!
Oh yes, indoors, the 4-4-0 , "President". Just beautiful and well kept.
Though not a railroad museum per se, I would recommend Henry Ford and Greenfield Village to any person who loves American history and heavy machinery. Steam era lovers will not be disappointed.