B&O Railroad Museum

The B&O Railroad Museum will restore the B&O #600 J.C. Davis locomotive that was severely damaged by a collapsed museum roof in a 2003 blizzard. It is one of only two locomotives surviving from Philadelphia’s1876 Centennial Exposition. Four staff and 10 trained volunteers will restore the engine to its 1875 appearance. The team will dismantle the engine; complete historical paint analysis; perform asbestos abatement; conserve, replace, or repair damaged components; and re-assemble and paint the locomotive and tender. The museum will display the locomotive in its Roundhouse, as part of the world’s most important collection of early American steam locomotives. The project will produce a report to serve as a guide for restoration of railroad equipment and other large industrial artifacts. Tours during restoration will let visitors see the inner working of the engine and observe master craftspeople at work.