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Description
This is a USRA Light Mikado 2-8-2 Type that was built by Baldwin for the B&O During World War I. (1949 Appearance)

Total Rivet Count: 638 (373 in Engine)

This Locomotive, #4500, the first of the USRA's Locomotives was built in July, 1918 by the Baldwin locomotive Works for the Baltimore & Ohio as part of a Large Order of USRA (United States Railroad Administration) Light Mikes for Freight Services. During the Late Times of World War I, the US. Government and the USRA was In Control of over 90% of the Main Railroads in the United States (1917) and Several Steam Locomotive Designs were built to Modern Standards suited for the War. These had standard Boiler and Driver designs, increase in speed, updated Electric Lights, and the Reliable Mechanical Stoker. The First of these Engines, #4500 was Completed on July 4th, 1918 during Independence Day, and was dressed with American Flags for the Occasion. It had its Headlight centered originally along with the Bell Mounted up front, and had Large 63" Drivers. Later that same day the Engine was delivered next door to B&O Rails and entered Service. The USRA Light Mikado proved to be Successful and Easy-Going for its time that the B&O Ordered 99 More Locomotives, with the Rest arriving by Late 1919, Classified as Q-3's. The Light Mike also became the Most produced USRA Design made of a Locomotive, with more than 600 Examples built. During its Time on the B&O, #4500 was a Well-Liked Locomotive and did well of Powering Freights over 35 Miles an Hour! During the World Wars, these Reliable Steamers were well suited to Power Passenger/Troop Trains because they were Loyal Engines and were Well-Built. Many Others of its Class, including #4500 had they're Cabs rebuilt with a Third Window, likely for Looking closer over the Tender while Reversing, was a Common practice on Late B&O Steam. #4500 was Uncle Sam's Locomotive, because of its Modern Superiority in World War I and proved by Crews to be a Reliable Steamer that was used for Any Job that was assigned! By 1957, the Locomotive was renumbered to B&O #300 to make way for giving Numbers to New Diesels. The Locomotive was Retired in August, 1957 and was put into Storage. In the early 1960s, the Locomotive was Hidden along with B&O #5300 to be saved from Scrap while Men were out to cut Metal. Successfully in 1963, the Locomotives got a New Home, the B&O Railroad Museum in Maryland. The Engines were renumbered back to they're Original Numbers and are both now Proudly Displayed at the Museum Today, they, along with B&O #390, are the Last remaining Examples of Modern B&O Steam. Today, there are 7 Preserved USRA Light Mikes Today.

Description
This is a USRA Light Mikado 2-8-2 Type that was built by Baldwin for the B&O During World War I. (1949 Appearance)

Total Rivet Count: 638 (373 in Engine)

This Locomotive, #4500, the first of the USRA's Locomotives was built in July, 1918 by the Baldwin locomotive Works for the Baltimore & Ohio as part of a Large Order of USRA (United States Railroad Administration) Light Mikes for Freight Services. During the Late Times of World War I, the US. Government and the USRA was In Control of over 90% of the Main Railroads in the United States (1917) and Several Steam Locomotive Designs were built to Modern Standards suited for the War. These had standard Boiler and Driver designs, increase in speed, updated Electric Lights, and the Reliable Mechanical Stoker. The First of these Engines, #4500 was Completed on July 4th, 1918 during Independence Day, and was dressed with American Flags for the Occasion. It had its Headlight centered originally along with the Bell Mounted up front, and had Large 63" Drivers. Later that same day the Engine was delivered next door to B&O Rails and entered Service. The USRA Light Mikado proved to be Successful and Easy-Going for its time that the B&O Ordered 99 More Locomotives, with the Rest arriving by Late 1919, Classified as Q-3's. The Light Mike also became the Most produced USRA Design made of a Locomotive, with more than 600 Examples built. During its Time on the B&O, #4500 was a Well-Liked Locomotive and did well of Powering Freights over 35 Miles an Hour! During the World Wars, these Reliable Steamers were well suited to Power Passenger/Troop Trains because they were Loyal Engines and were Well-Built. Many Others of its Class, including #4500 had they're Cabs rebuilt with a Third Window, likely for Looking closer over the Tender while Reversing, was a Common practice on Late B&O Steam. #4500 was Uncle Sam's Locomotive, because of its Modern Superiority in World War I and proved by Crews to be a Reliable Steamer that was used for Any Job that was assigned! By 1957, the Locomotive was renumbered to B&O #300 to make way for giving Numbers to New Diesels. The Locomotive was Retired in August, 1957 and was put into Storage. In the early 1960s, the Locomotive was Hidden along with B&O #5300 to be saved from Scrap while Men were out to cut Metal. Successfully in 1963, the Locomotives got a New Home, the B&O Railroad Museum in Maryland. The Engines were renumbered back to they're Original Numbers and are both now Proudly Displayed at the Museum Today, they, along with B&O #390, are the Last remaining Examples of Modern B&O Steam. Today, there are 7 Preserved USRA Light Mikes Today.