Had things gone as planned and Mother Nature hadn't introduced snow into the equation, the "Fair of the Iron Horse" would now be underway. Reflecting on this auspicious occasion, can the B&O Museum folks update us overall on the status of their recovery efforts? I've been following the reports on their website but they are very general.

Well, here's today's big news, cribbed from Trains.com:

"B&O Museum requests $1 million from National Park Service

BALTIMORE, Md. - The B&O Railroad Museum requested $1 million last week from the National Park Service to help restore exhibits damaged in the collapse of the roundhouse roof during a February 17 snowstorm.

The Save America's Treasures program has $30 million earmarked this year for preserving and restoring sites and collections considered national icons. The most an organization can request this year is $1 million in matching funds.

While insurance is expected to pay for rebuilding the 1884 roundhouse, it apparently does not cover all of the expenses on the damaged exhibits. According to a museum spokesperson, it is estimated that about $10 million will be needed to restore the locomotives and rolling stock.

The grants, which are competitive, are expected to be announced by late summer."


eledbetter@rypn.org

> Had things gone as planned and Mother Nature
> hadn't introduced snow into the equation,
> the "Fair of the Iron Horse" would
> now be underway. Reflecting on this
> auspicious occasion, can the B&O Museum
> folks update us overall on the status of
> their recovery efforts? I've been following
> the reports on their website but they are
> very general.

Check flimsies posted earlier today. The first of their new roof trusses was put in place yesterday. Progress!! Hats off to all involved in the great deal of work involved.

william.herbert@gsa.gov