Hi all!

Just a thought.....how many of the smaller, older locos last gathered for the Chicago Railroad Fair of 1949 could appear at the fair of the Iron Horse 2003?

I have info. on 2 that SHOULD be there...but probably won't be. The current status of both "Best Friend" replicas is that neither will probably make it.

The one built for "Wings and Wheels" in the 1960's is in the State Museum in Columbia....behind a brick wall (shades of the #1401 in Washington!!!).

The former Southern Rwy. replica is in Charleston. At this time, it's unlikely that anyone could convince the city fathers to let her travel anywhere. It took a near act of congress to get her to the last Steam Expo in Sacremento. Current plans are to put her into a Mausoleum too, somewhere in the historic district.

A real shame too...while the B&O was still tinkering with horses...the old SC Railroad and Canal Co. was ALWAYS regularly powered by steam. Oh well!

- Mike Gellner

The South Carolina RR Museum, Inc.
msgscrm@aol.com

> A real shame too...while the B&O was
> still tinkering with horses...the old SC
> Railroad and Canal Co. was ALWAYS regularly
> powered by steam. Oh well!

> - Mike Gellner

Why not have a replica of PHOENIX? SCRM surely could find the resources to build one.

It would be nice to see a southern steamer represented.

Dave


irondave@bellsouth.net

> Why not have a replica of PHOENIX? SCRM
> surely could find the resources to build
> one.

> It would be nice to see a southern steamer
> represented.

> Dave

Two famous replicas from the B&O Museum are currently at Strasburg being repaired for operation next year. The Tom Thumb and the Lafayette were built at Mt. Clare in 1927 for the original Fair of the Iron Horse.

By the way, Baltimore is south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Kevin Gillespie

B&O Railroad Museum
kevingillespie@usa.net

> By the way, Baltimore is south of the
> Mason-Dixon Line.

Well maybe but you are clear up north of Siler City.

Apart from the museums own collections, have any other visiting locomotives committed to attend?

Dave



irondave@bellsouth.net

> Well maybe but you are clear up north of
> Siler City.

> Apart from the museums own collections, have
> any other visiting locomotives committed to
> attend?

> Dave

Dave,

The final "Guest List" is in the hands of a blue ribbon committee made up of representatives of the Smithsonian, AAR, and the operating unions. I don't think we'll have a better idea for a couple more months. When I have any information I'll post it here.

KRG

kevingillespie@usa.net

> Dave,

> The final "Guest List" is in the
> hands of a blue ribbon committee made up of
> representatives of the Smithsonian, AAR, and
> the operating unions. I don't think we'll
> have a better idea for a couple more months.
> When I have any information I'll post it
> here.

As I recall, the Winans Camel was actually what a Winans 4-6-0 turned into after acted upon by a committee. Best of luck.

Dave


irondave@bellsouth.net

If the blue ribbon committee waits any longer they will probebly have to wait until 2004 for the 176 anniversery.

From things I've seen the invitees have responded in like fasion and confirmed. Though I think that the cost came in higher than expected. And there has been talk that the invitees are to come up with the money to pay for their travels there and back for someone elses event. I would have to question why a group raise that kind of money and then would pay that kind money to attend some other museums event and make nothing back. They would do better staying at home and raising funds for their own needs and concerns.

In the past events of this nature were prety much planned and confirmed at least a year out and it is getting to that point now. To bring in engines across the country ,away from their safety zones without doing a fair amount of work to them in advance is insane. All of these groups are volunteer based and need the time to prepare which is clicking away day after day.

I agree with a poster on a previous thread that stated " I would love to eat crow on this subject . But I don't see it happening. They ( B&O Museum)have spread alot of rumor about the gandeous plans and event in store and have published only vaguities on their website and have not confirmed anything. No confirmation even if they will have Railroad participation to move the engines running or shipped.

I hope this works but I see this dream fading fast.

Sceptical 1

Hey, can we see your real name here. We all use it on the list, and I think it is only fair that you use your real name in order to be able to defend your comments. However, remember, even if the celebration is just "in-house" locomotives like the William Mason and the Thatcher Perkins, it will still be a spetacular event.

wilkidm@wku.edu

I agree with David, the B&O Museum has enough cool stuff to have a celebration standing alone. Lets hope for the best and support whatever happens. We might not get anything for the 200th!

Tom Gears
Wilmington, DE

Forgotten Delaware
tom@forgottendelaware.com

> I agree with David, the B&O Museum has
> enough cool stuff to have a celebration
> standing alone. Lets hope for the best and
> support whatever happens. We might not get
> anything for the 200th!

> Tom Gears
> Wilmington, DE

Tom,

I'll be 54 during the 175th, and only God knows whether or not I'll be around for the 200th (or 175th for that matter).

Kevin

kevingillespie@usa.net

> I'll be 54 during the 175th, and only God
> knows whether or not I'll be around for the
> 200th (or 175th for that matter).

Agreed. This one is going to be too important to miss. I had hoped that GENERAL could come out and play during the renovations at Kennesaw but it has proved politically impossible and this is probably the best opportunity my generation will have to experience mid 19th century steam in action.

Dave


irondave@bellsouth.net

I agree, if Baltimore only were to take its own equipment outside and operate what can, it would still be a fantastic show. I can only hope that one day CSRM will do this. To have the CP Huntington, Cab Forward, and the Daylight E unit all side by side...I can only hope! Talk about a sweet poster!

Smokebox

Although I heartily agree with "Sceptical1", let the record show that it wasn't me saying that. I'm the source of the "I'd love to eat crow on this" quote.

LNER4472@bcpl.net