The "Camel" locomotives, which were named for their unique shape and cab location, became a trademark of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) during the mid-19th century. The "Camel" became one of the first coal-burning locomotives produced in large quantities. Eccentric builder, Ross Winans, created the original design of the locomotive in 1848. Challenged to design a locomotive that would burn coal more efficiently, Winans' solution was to construct a large firebox behind the locomotive's mainframe, forcing the engineer's cab to be positioned above the boiler. The "Camel" was designed for productivity rather than for crew comfort. The engineer was often too hot as he sat above the boiler, and faced slim survival chances during a derailment. The fireman was also uncomfortable, as there was little shelter to protect him from the weather. A more critical problem the crew faced was a lack of communication resulting from their separated positions.

During the 1850s, Master of Machinery, Samuel Hayes, adapted features of the 0-8-0 "Camel" design for a fleet of "Ten Wheelers." His locomotives needed to move passenger trains over the mountains of western Virginia. Successor Master of Machinery, J.C. Davis, also combined the 4-6-0 wheel arrangement with the "Camel" design. Over a ten-year period, Davis turned out over 100 heavier versions of the "Camel."

As with many of the B&O Railroad Museum's early locomotives, the No. 305 has been displayed at various fairs and exhibitions under various guises. Most likely the previous number, No. 217, that most recognize, was never applied to the current locomotive during its actual operation while in service.

During the 2003 Roundhouse roof collapse at the B&O Railroad Museum, the No. 217 "Camel" was severely damaged. It was restored and renumbered as the No. 305.

B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore, Maryland

Tags:   4-6-0 Camel-type Mount Clare Shops (1869) B&O 305 B&O 305-B&O 187-B&O 129-B&O 217 Ross Winans B&O Railroad Museum Baltimore Baltimore & Ohio Maryland Mount Clare Roundhouse

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B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore, Maryland.

Tags:   B&O 23001 B&O Class Q 8-ton Iron Pot Hopper - B&O Shops (1883) B&O Railroad Museum Baltimore Baltimore & Ohio Maryland Mount Clare Roundhouse

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The most popular passenger locomotive in the 19th century was the "American" type 4-4-0. In 1856, the B&O ordered two "American" type locomotives from Mason Machine Works in Taunton, Massachusetts, one of which was the No. 25. William Mason, the founder of the Mason Machine Works, introduced the idea of turning out locomotives of beauty as well as utility.

The Civil War was the first American military conflict in which railroads were used for strategic purposes. The use of railroads revolutionized the transportation of troops and supplies, and affected the outcome on the battlefield. The No. 25 was used extensively during the war to transport Union troops and supplies. B&O President John Garrett understood the financial and political benefits of siding with the Union, despite his personal ties to the South.

The No. 25 was the first B&O locomotive to have a Stephenson link motion valve gear and a round smoke box set on a cylinder saddle. In 1927, the railroad named the locomotive the "William Mason" to honor its builder. The "William Mason" follows the general form of the original No. 25; however it has been rebuilt and modified as an exhibition locomotive.

Throughout the years, the "William Mason" has been featured in many motion pictures, such as "The Swan," "The Great Locomotive Chase" (1956), "Raintree County" (1957), "Wild, Wild West" (1998), "Tuck Everlasting" (2002), and "Gods and Generals" (2003).

The No. 25 was not in the roundhouse at the time of the Roundhouse roof collapse in 2003. The locomotive was last under steam in 2012. In 2017, the locomotive emerged from a multi-year restoration project that returned the locomotive to its original colors and livery. The locomotive is currently on display in the Roundhouse.


B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore, Maryland.

Tags:   4-4-0 Mason Machine Works (1856) B&O 25 - B&O 55 - B&O 25 William Mason B&O No. 25 William B&O Railroad Museum Baltimore Baltimore & Ohio Maryland Mount Clare Roundhouse

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Baltimore & Ohio EA No. 51, built by EMC in 1937, recently restored to its as-delivered condition by the B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore, Maryland.

In the 1930s, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) became one of the first railroads in the country to adopt diesel-electric locomotives for its passenger trains. Built in 1937, the No. 51 was the first streamlined diesel-electric locomotive in the world. Custom painted for the B&O in blue and grey, this EA unit featured an innovative elevated cab with sloping "bulldog" nose. The new design provided enhanced collision protection and was popular among travelers for its deco design. The No. 51 was one of six two-unit sets that were placed in service on the all-Pullman "Capitol Limited" trains and other premier trains. These new hardworking locomotives were capable of burning fuel more efficiently than steam engines and required less maintenance, foreshadowing the dieselization of the entire fleet and the end of steam. One of the No. 51's sister locomotives was so successful that it operated an entire year on the "Capitol Limited" route from Washington, DC to Chicago without missing a trip. Further, the new streamlined look helped the railroad rebrand itself to appear more modern in order to better compete with the increasingly dominant passenger airline industry. In 1953, the No. 51 was sent back to General Motors as part of a trade-in program, where it was stripped of its usable machinery and sent to the newly opened Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Transportation Museum.


After a five-year cosmetic restoration project that returned the locomotive to its original 1937 colors and livery, the No. 51 returned to public view in January 2021. By utilizing original archival engineering blueprints and historic tools, the No. 51 was taken down to its skeleton and completely restored through metalwork, carpentry, and reconstructed painting and detailing.

Tags:   B&O 51 B&O Railroad Museum Baltimore Baltimore & Ohio EMC EA (E3A)(1937) Maryland Mt. Clare Backshop

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In 1853, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad built its first "Ten Wheeler" locomotives to tackle the tough mountain grades in what is now West Virginia. A decade later, this locomotive type was needed to meet the demand caused by the Civil War and increased passenger traffic on the B&O. The No. 147 was part of the first series of "Ten Wheelers" designed by Master of Machinery, Thatcher Perkins, in 1863. After moving Union troops during the war, the versatile No. 147 continued to pull both passenger and freight trains.

Originally built as No. 147 and later renumbered as No. 282, the engine was preserved by the railroad in 1892 for public relations and exhibition purposes. At this time, the railroad renumbered the engine to represent another Perkins "Ten Wheeler" built in 1863, the No. 117. The railroad applied the name "Thatcher Perkins" to the engine during the B&O's 1927 Fair of the Iron Horse centennial celebration.

It was severely damaged during the 2003 Roundhouse roof collapse and was restored and renumbered to its original No. 147 in 2010.

Now located at the B&O Railroad Museum, Baltimore, Maryland.

Tags:   4-6-0 Mount Clare Shops (1863) B&O 147 - B&O 282 - B&O 117 Thatcher Perkins B&O Railroad Museum Baltimore Baltimore & Ohio Maryland Mount Clare Roundhouse

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