Held this past weekend, The B&O Museum's annual steam days enjoyed perfect weather. Pulling the passenger train was 1950-vintage Porter #4, one of the last steam locomotives built in the US for commercial purposes. Also in steam and following each passenger train trip was the William Mason, built almost 100 years earlier, in 1856, and believed to be the oldest operable steam locomotive in the country.'

I visited on Saturday. It was great to see both operating side by side. I came away with three comparisons between the two I had not been aware of previously.

The "small" tank engine looks a lot larger than a main line locomotive of one hundred years earlier.

Since the Mason has no steam-powered appliances, no turbo-generator and no air pump, it is very quiet compared to the busy sound of the #4.

Wood-burning engines smell a lot better than coal burning ones, and the smoke is much cleaner.

Pete Schmidt

I was there sunday, great event. One of America's youngest operating steam locomotives paired with it's oldest. I noticed this year the #4 was on the east end of the excursion train, where the visitors could actually see it for a change. Improved the experience for me and others as well I'm sure.

A class act!

Dave Crosby

I too echo the turning of the engines.

I keep thinking that if you throw a few slabs of ribs in the Mason Firebox it could be a mighty fine rolling BBQ. ( I suspect that happened or something similar years ago)

Was there a particular type of wood that was originally used for fuel, or was it just what was locally available? Were there provisions for cleaning smokebox much like chimney sweeps?

Tom

It would be nice if the two Masons could run together.

I know where the other one is...

Let's get them together.

75 vs. 125 pounds. Let the steam condense!

Seniority has its priviliges, I think the younger should travel to visit her older sister. I don't think the Mason will be leaving our property anytime very soon, unless its for another movie shoot (and therefore making good money.)