| Not sure what event was being held when R.D. Patton photographed the famous A.J. Cromwell, but it appears to have been some kind of railroad show. The No. 545 was designed by Andrew J. Cromwell, the B&O's Supervisor of Motive Power, in the Mt. Clare shops. The locomotive was designed for durability, rather than speed. The No. 545 and others in its class worked into the 1920s despite new and improved locomotive designs. In 1927, for the Fair of the Iron Horse, the No. 545 was renamed "A.J. Cromwell." This locomotive is the only surviving B&O freight locomotive of its type.This locomotive is the oldest piece in the museum's collection to be equipped with air brakes. In 1956, the "A.J. Cromwell" was featured in the motion picture, "The Swan." During the 2003 Roundhouse roof collapse at the B&O Railroad Museum, the No. 545 "A.J. Cromwell" was severely damaged and was awaiting restoration - may have been completed by now. Specs - "A.J. Cromwell", 50" drivers, 21x26" cylinders, engine weight of 125,000 lb, tractive effort of 29,200 lb. |