These came through on Facebook, by Dave Henderson via Pre-1895 Railroads & Steam Engines (Public Group).

We are looking at B&O 25, the William Mason, following its now completed cosmetic restoration to what have been determined to be its original colors.

It was pretty shocking to see some earlier photos with green wheels--but now that she's completed, the effect is quite striking.

I've said this about some other things, but once again, it is as if we are looking at something we shouldn't be seeing, a different and colorful view of the past that we've been so used to seeing in black and white and shades of grey.

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Looks great!

I love it when they have to set little napkins out all over the floor to collect oil. It reminds you that the exhibit is alive.

Funny story:

The light and angle were a bit better on the fireman's side. But the Museum left the speakers and amp at the corners the entire time I was there, rendering that angle useless for classic-3/4-angle photos.

The crowd when I showed up at 10--just after a members-only ceremony, I understand--was rather sparse, what one might expect on any ordinary Saturday morning. The volunteer docents (in embroidered blue shirts and tan slacks all) and staff probably outnumbered visitors, at least while I was there.

Restoration staff told me that the loco was retired from active steaming because of a thin/failing crownsheet. As the current crownsheet is not original, it can be replaced, but the money wasn't in the budget to do so at this time. So, future operability is not ruled out.

New arrival on site: 1987 Cryo-Trans hi-cube refrigerator car, freshly donated and repainted by the company into as-delivered scheme.

I'd have expected more considering this was no. 25 that was restored... But then, this is mid-September, so...



Well, at this point, I'd expect they'd much rather put that money towards other pieces that have had to be overlooked with the roundhouse collapse...

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Just linking this earlier thread, with in-progress photos, as a reference.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40500

I was at the unveiling right at 9. There was a brief speech given, with all of the restoration staff brought up for acknowledgement on the project. The crowd number around 30-35 at 9:30. When the brief talk was over the crowd dwindled significantly by the main opening at 10:00. The numbers were good for the rest of the day.

Since it was briefly mentioned CRYX #1200 (1987 Cryo Car) has been on site since May, just tucked behind the Car Shop is all.

Soooooo, now that the Mason is inoperable, what loco gets the award for oldest operable loco in N. America?

V&T #22?

The oldest operating steam locomotive in the United States is now the other Mason- Calumet & Hecla no. 3 "Torch Lake" built 1873.

In case anyone wonders:

Hecla & Torch Lake RR #3 dates from Oct, 1873

V&T #22 dates from Feb. 1875
E&P #4 dates from July, 1875