Collections

This category describes the entirety of the AoSR collection.

6325 builder plates

Builders’ Plates Needed for Restorations of Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum Steamers

Builders’ Plates Needed for Restorations of Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum Steamers By John B. Corns The talented, experienced and dedicated steam locomotive repair and restoration experts at the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum work diligently to locate, acquire, and install rare appliances for accurate physical representations of all 23 of these beautiful beasts currently …

Builders’ Plates Needed for Restorations of Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum Steamers Read More »

Builder's Plates in the Roundhouse Depot

Steam Locomotive Bronze Birth Certificates

Steam Locomotive Bronze Birth Certificates By John B. Corns Some companies called them “manufacturer’s plates” or “identification plates,” and at least one railroad called them “badges.” But the name used most often was/is “builder’s plate,” a heavy, cast metal sign that displayed important information (at the minimum, the builder’s name, a serial number and date …

Steam Locomotive Bronze Birth Certificates Read More »

Reading Camelback No. 1187

Reading 0-4-0 “Camelback” No. 1187

Reading 0-4-0 “Camelback” No. 1187 Previous Next Railroads – like any well-run business – constantly seek to control costs and find more efficient methods to accomplish their goals. One of the more unique ways this concept manifested itself in the early days of steam railroading was the innovative “Camelback” locomotive design. The Philadelphia and Reading …

Reading 0-4-0 “Camelback” No. 1187 Read More »

CNR Lightweight Passenger Car Set

CNR Lightweight Passenger Car Set Previous Next By 1952, the Canadian National Railway needed to modernize its passenger trains. Older coaches, dining cars and sleeper cars were worn out after heavy use during World War II. The automobile and airliner were ever-growing threats to CNR’s passenger business. Finally, post-war sensibilities were increasing the expectations of …

CNR Lightweight Passenger Car Set Read More »

Water Tank Drop-Spouts and Water Columns — “Fill ‘er up, mister?” “Yes, and please check the oil!”

Water Tank Drop-Spouts and Water Columns — “Fill ‘er up, mister?” “Yes, and please check the oil!” By John B. Corns With the water tank tub securely sitting on top of its elevated tower, it was time to have some sort of mechanism to deliver that water into thirsty locomotive tenders below. While the tank …

Water Tank Drop-Spouts and Water Columns — “Fill ‘er up, mister?” “Yes, and please check the oil!” Read More »