Really nice shot, Mitch. Did you happen to see the accurate scale model of the "Tom Thumb" that the museum has on display? It's interesting to note that the scale model looks nothing like the 1927 replica shown here, which was based on another inaccurate wooden replica constructed by Joseph Pangborn for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This "replica" is much too large and misses some important details.
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In a happenstance of history one of the most significant locomotives in all railroading the original Tom Thumb no longer exists nor are there any photos or accurate contemporary drawings either. Descriptions were left however and one wooden model was constructed based on these in 1892. (Of special interest is that the original boiler's tube were made of rifle barrels!)
To celebrate it's 100th birthday, the history-conscious B&O in 1926 held the "Fair of the Iron Horse," a parade of mostly it's own significant locomotives. This Tom Thumb was built in that year based on the 1892 model with liberties made by enlarging the original dimensions and significantly changing the cylinder frame support. Thus it is better to think of this engine as an representation rather than an accurate replica.
Part of railway folklore has always been that the original Tom Thumb lost an impromptu race with a horse drawn B&O railcar. The reason for the loss was that the stack-mounted blower's drive belt malfunctioned causing the engine to lose steam and the race. In order to insure the reliability of this engine, the B&O substituted a much bigger, more reliable blower. (It is seen behind the barrel on the deck rather than on the stack).
Peter Cooper, a wealthy land owner of Baltimore, built this engine to help ensure the success of the B&O. (and the value of the lands he owned that the railroad passed though.)
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