Our John Bull On the Road
In 1999, the Railroad Museum's beloved John Bull replica traveled to the West Coast and visited several other Pennsylvania museums as well. At Railfair '99 at the California State Railroad Museum, it joined several dozen other famous operating locomotives. It was on exhibit, several days moving under steam.
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The Bull takes a gracious spin on the turntable. |
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has had a cooperative relationship with its colleagues at Sacramento for many years, and was pleased to respond to the invitation. In preparation, "The Bull" received repairs to its boiler and body, with part of the work conducted in the nearby shops of the Strasburg Rail Road, and the remainder in the Museum's new Restoration Shop. The John Bull was once again certified for operation under steam, following its return to the Museum, was expected to periodically be placed in operation for special events.
As recounted elsewhere, while the original John Bull resides at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, our replica is actually closer to the original's appearance in its early years.A team of staff and volunteers, led by Museum Director David W. Dunn, were present at Sacramento to assure the John Bull's best behavior! The Museum crew also included: Steve Meola, Kurt Bell, Jim Wylie and Earl Kinard. Visiting FRMers Jim Hopkins and Bob Donecker also lent a welcome hand. During its stay at the California State Railroad Museum, it was visited by tens of thousands of visitors, and did us right proud! The John Bull returned safely to Strasburg on July 3, 1999. Its other activities in 1999 included:
- Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum. Under steam August 6, 7 & 8; static display August 9 - 13, again under steam August 14 & 15, then static display to August 29.
- Steamtown National Park. September 3 - 6 (seen at right).
- Under steam, at home at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for FRM Members Day, September 18, in conjunction with formal dedication of new Restoration Shop.
In light of recent changes in steam boiler requirements, it was decided that absent additional funding, this fine Ambassador of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania would be retired and not steamed again. But then, who knows?
Further information on this locomotive's history may be found by consulting the John Bull Page. |
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