Wrecked Locomotive Display

tomgears · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:29 am

When I saw the thumbnail I thought... "is it on it's side". Sure enough she is on her side. Great shot Mitch.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 159&nseq=2

I wonder if an museum here would ever try to make a train wreck exhibit?

Richard W. · **Joined:** Tue Nov 09, 2004 12:27 pm **Posts:** 157

I think it is great. I'm sure it was layed over with care so it could be placed back on track. I have about three displays I'd love to do if I won the lottery and one would be a derailed boxcar being re-railed by our 75 ton steam wrecker.

Richard

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 10:54 am

In London, there is a display of a B-24 bomber which was recovered from the bottom of a lake. The display area recreates a lake, and the viewer is visiting the old bird as she sat when found. This is very creative and draws the viewer into several "modes" of appreciation. First, the history of the piece itself, what happened to so many similar display pieces. Second, the mechanics of the locomotive are displayed in a manner different from a pit.

This is excellent.

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Wed Sep 23, 2009 11:51 am

The picture I have of it in my database from the 1990s shows it in rough backlot condition. To see it well painted, even if laid over on it's side (I also agree probably carefully; although I would imagine some parts are taking a weight they were never intended to take and are damaged); is an improvement; it is at least an interpretive exhibit now, and not the junkyard in the back we like to complain about.

JohnCloos · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:59 pm **Posts:** 308

No guarantees of course, but one would hope (especially in a museum type setting) that some consideration was taken to protect those areas that wouldn't/shouldn't normally be taking the weight of the engine lying on it's side. Perhaps some bracing/blocking ?

Another benefit of this display, is that you get a very rare look at the undercarriage and a view of the running wheels, mechanisms, etc.

Bob Davis · **Joined:** Sat Aug 28, 2004 3:25 am **Posts:** 1025

The pile of rock may provide a "conforming support" to spread the weight over a fairly large surface. I couldn't tell for sure, but the museum crew may have removed the smoke deflector from the "down" side.
One of the educational exhibits we sometimes set up during special events at Orange Empire is the "pit tour", which gives visitors (who are issued hard hats for the occasion) a look at the underside of a streetcar.