A steam train museum is a place where one can see and learn about locomotives that were once the backbone of America’s railroad system. Many of these locomotives were the first, last or only of their kind and have become iconic pieces of railway history. The Museum’s collection of locomotives and rolling stock includes some of the world’s best examples of 19th century American steam locomotives.
The Museum’s locomotives and rolling stock are displayed in the Great Hall of Engine Shed Number 4, formerly the York Engine Shed, which opened to visitors on Memorial Day weekend in 1975. The Great Hall is home to two of the Museum’s most significant and beautiful locomotives, Southern No. 401 and Genoa No. 2. The museum also houses a deluxe passenger car and caboose.
In addition to the impressive roster of locomotives, this museum has an extensive array of other historic railroad equipment in its collection. This includes a dual-level, gallery railcar; Chicago Burlington & Quincy 4-8-4 #5614, a Class O-5a “Northern”; and St. Louis-San Francisco 4-8-4 #44524, a Class A-2 “American” built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1892).
Many of these locomotives are the first, last or only of their kind. Some have even been used in renowned movies such as Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.
In its early years, the Museum was financed by local businessman and railfan Arthur Blount, who donated a Union Pacific 4–8-4 “Big Boy” and Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 “Old Ironsides.” The Museum was officially chartered in 1954, and with the donation of this steam locomotive and six acres of land on River Road, opened to the public on Memorial Day, 1958.
The Museum has grown in size and scope over the years, and currently is one of the largest railway museums in the nation. It has over 100 pieces of historic railroad equipment and displays locomotives that are in working order.
This museum is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the history of railways. The museum has the largest collection of historic steam trains in the United States and also has a wide array of other exhibits. It also has an extensive educational program for students in kindergarten through high school.
The museum is a great place to learn about the history of railways and the people who built them. Its exhibitions cover topics such as canals, gravity railroads and steam trains. It also has a section that is dedicated to the Civil War and its effect on the country.
There is a small model train display as well as several displays of steam-powered boats and ships. This museum is a wonderful resource for families and is free to enter.
The Museum’s steam locomotive and rolling stock collection are the finest of their kind in the world. It contains the mighty steam engine John Bull, which is capable of running on the museum tracks and is considered the oldest steam locomotive in existence.
