National Railroad Museum’s Eisenhower Locomotive Loaned to England
The National Railroad Museum’s Eisenhower Locomotive to leave for a two-year loan to the National Railway Museum in York, England.
Ashwaubenon (Green Bay, Wis.) – The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI loaning one of their National Treasures – the British Railways No. 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower – to the National Railway Museum (York, England) on July 17, 2012. As part of a two-year loan between the two national museums, the locomotive and its tender will be restored to its late 1940s condition and will be part of a 75th celebration of the world steam locomotive speed record set in July 1938.
One of only six A-4 type locomotives remaining in the world the Eisenhower will be brought from the National Railroad Museum by flat car to the port of Halifax where it will be shipped to England with the Dominion of Canada, the other North American A-4 locomotive owned by Exporail in Montreal, Canada. The two locomotives are expected to arrive in England in September. Once in England, the Eisenhower will receive a cosmetic restoration, including the replacement of parts removed prior to its 1964 move to the United States, metal repair and repainting in the locomotive’s Brunswick green color scheme dating from when the locomotive was rededicated as the Eisenhower in 1946.
The Eisenhower will be part of a significant celebration by the National Railway Museum in York, England honoring the Mallard, a sister A-4 locomotive that achieved the world steam engine speed record in 1938 when it traveled 126 miles per hour. In celebration of the 75thanniversary of the achievement, the National Railway Museum in York is gathering all six remaining A-4’s for display, excursions and educational programming under the patronage of Prince Charles.
Stated Steve Davies, executive director of the National Railway Museum in York, England: “We wanted to do something really special to mark the 75thanniversary and what could be more spectacular than an international family reunion for the A-4s? When these mighty machines were exported across the Atlantic in the Sixties, no one thought they would ever come back, now the planning of their journey to the UK is well advanced. The sheer scale of this project to move these locomotives back to home soil is immense and it is testament to the vision of the National Railway Museum and our transatlantic colleagues that we are able to make this happen.”
“We are proud to be part of this international partnership with the National Railway Museum and Exporail,” stated Jacqueline Frank, National Railroad Museum executive director. “It is a wonderful opportunity for us to share the Museum’s unique collection with others who cannot view it in the United States. Established as a national museum through a joint act of Congress in 1958, it is fitting that the National Railroad Museum works with other national institutions throughout the world to bring our shared history to an international audience. Not only will the piece be part of an important celebration in England, but when it returns it will restored and part of a new permanent exhibit for patrons to enjoy at the National Railroad Museum.”
The Dwight D. Eisenhower was built for the London and North Eastern Railway in 1937. The locomotive was originally named “Sparrowhauk” and later, the “Golden Shuttle”. It was renamed the Dwight. D. Eisenhower after WWII on November 1946 in honor of then General Eisenhower and his work as Supreme Allied Commander. The locomotive was cosmetically restored at Doncaster Works in 1963 and was shipped to the USA the following spring, arriving in New York harbor on May 11, 1964, from where it was shipped by rail to the National Railroad Museum. Two of General Eisenhower’s command cars – one of which he worked and slept – were donated to the National Railroad Museum a few years later.
National Railroad Museum (Green Bay, Wis.) - Founded in 1956 and designated as United States national museum by a joint act of Congress in 1958, the National Railroad Museum works to foster an understanding of railroading and its significance to American life. Visiting the National Railroad Museum offers you an opportunity to explore our railroad heritage. Sit in the cab of the Union Pacific Big Boy, the world’s largest steam locomotive. View Gen. Eisenhower’s World War II command train. Examine the future of railroading in the sleek 1955 General Motors Aerotrain. The Museum is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the U.S.
National Railway Museum (York, England) - The National Railway Museum is part of the Science Museum Group, along with the Science Museum in London, the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester, the National Media Museum in Bradford and Locomotion – the National Railway Museum in Shildon. It holds one of the largest collections of railway objects in the world and attracts over 700,000 visitors per year, and includes over 300 locomotives and rolling stock as well as a world class collection of Royal trains and carriages, some that were used by Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.
Exporail (Montreal, Canada) - Exporail is Canada’s National Railway Museum, established in 1961. Located near the very first railroad in Canada, the Champlain & St. Lawrence Rail Road (1836), Exporail, the Canadian Railway Museum has preserved and showcases Canada’s largest railway collection and is among the largest of its kind in the world. Exporail’s mission is to retrace and showcase the history and present role of railways in Canada. Exceptional permanent and temporary exhibitions, guided tours, animations, educational activities, conferences, tram and train rides, demonstrations of the telegraphy and steam train operations as well as several thematic events.
NOTE TO MEDIA ONLY: We will be having a bon voyage reception on July 17, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Please come for appetizers, tours of the Museum, train rides, questions and answers about the Eisenhower move from Jacqueline Frank, executive director of the National Railroad Museum and Bob Gwynne, Assistant Curator of Railway Vehicles of the National Railway Museum in York, England. Please RSVP to Deanna Novak at dnovak@nationalrrmuseum.org and place the word RSVP in the subject line by July 17, 2012. Seating is limited!
For Additional Information Contact:
Deanna Novak
Phone: 920-437-7623, x-12
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