Gee, no postings here for the beloved B&O? Well, for those who haven't heard, the B&O Train Museum is re-opening on November 13! They've made a lot of renovations and upgrades while they were fixing the collapsed roof.
I did see that someplace here but it has awile back so thanks for reminding all of us. I wish I could go and be part of the grand opening. In my RailImages album I have several images from my past trip in October 1999; such as this one.
I nearly forgot, WELCOME to TRAINBOARD as it nice to have another Fallen Flag poster here at TrainBoard. I did find the old post BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD MUSEUM - Reopening that was posted in the Railfanning Discussions way back in June 2004. Again, THANKS! for the reminder...
Welcome aboard! There actually used to be more activity in the B&O Forum. The principle person, (John), moved, and has been very busy this past summer. The museum reopening is great news. It was awful seeing the damage. Any news on the damaged items? Restoration possibilities for those pieces? Boxcab E50
The last restoration report I saw that was online was dated July 30, 2004 but they have been great in posting reports and images up to that point. I hope someone will get there soon after it opens that can share with us what they find. I myself would like to see what happen to those items I photographed back in 1999 that are in my RailImages galley at http://www.railimages.com/gallery/BO_Museum as I know some of those were badly damged such as the Camel here below
This is GREAT to hear! Sorry I been gone so long, life has gotten hectic an alittle crazy since my relocation, from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire. I'm glad to hear that the B&O HS is re-opening the the historical Mt. Clare in Baltimore after the tragic roof colapse... I'm sorry to say, I never got to visit the place (I'm a HUGE B&O buff) an left that oppertunity slip past me, maybe one day tho, when I get time off from work, an my own shop (which I still have to set it up yet an re-open it as well.) I almost missed this topic being away from the computer for awhile an slowly getting back to it alittle at a time. so, my participation will slowly get better!
This is one place you don't have to be a B&O buff to enjoy. This place is fantastic no matter what part of the railroad hobby you prefer. Here is a shot of the Maryland & Pennsylvania RR Inspection Car #101 that was inside the day I was there.
Darren, As far as I know from the pictures I've seen, yes, you have a good point, altho, me being a B&O fanatic, It surely would have been really enjoyable for me to visit, an now, I'm further north then I once was, so... it might be a few years till I get to see it but one day! But I will say this however, from all the pictures I've seen from the B&OHS, I must say they had alot to be proud of, with age, type of things an such, I would love to see the things I've seen in pictures in real life!
Well gents, I guess that's one advantage I have living in the Baltimore Area! I got my invite letter from the Museum last week. A few weeks ago I was talking with Courtney Wilson, the director. He said that they have made a lot of changes while they were restoring things. The old HO layout is gone (Baltimore has a wheelchair activist who deliberately seeks out areas he can't reach- sues the organization- which usually results in them having to shut down since they can't become ADA compliant. He decided he wanted to see the layout that's crammed on a very tight wing of the upper level. He couldn't get in there, so a 50 year old layout had to be dismantle. What a guy!). They've put up some sheds to cover the outside exhibits. They built a new renovation facility to do restoration work. As for the exhibits- some were a total loss. Others are in different states of damage/repair. They will be displayed while awaiting their turn at restoration. They are planning a big celebration for Nov 13. Which is why I probably will wait til the NEXT weekend to go! So all in all, looks like they made the best out of bad situation. Are there other topics here on the B&O? I can't seem to find them.
Dave- As this is happening tomorrow, was just wondering if you're planning on attending? My curiousity about restoration of the damaged artifacts has me hoping for a report on those items. Boxcab E50
I am pleased to say that the Opening Weekend at the museum was a big success (which is why I decided not to go this weekend). Reports say that crowds were lined up around the block, and that overall reactions were very favorable. I will be going soon!
Holiday Festival of Trains Friday, November 26, 2004 through Saturday, January 2, 2005 (The museum is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day) The Holiday Festival of Trains is the museum’s most popular special event comprising one of the largest assortments of operating toy train layouts in the region. In addition to the museum’s two permanent train layouts, the event showcases various miniature train layouts exhibited by guest model hobbyists and clubs. This Year’s Lineup YEAR-ROUND MUSEUM TRAIN LAYOUTS HO scale layout housed inside a full size Chesapeake & Ohio Railway passenger coach G scale outdoor garden layout
