I just saw on the news that a 116 year old plantation locomotive, The Olomana, has been loaned to the RR Museum of PA by the Smithsonian. The locomotive was built by Baldwin and has not been back into Pennsylvania since it was built. It was funny to hear them describe it on the news as being sent to the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1883. So you see, you really can come home. <p>It is good to see this kind of cooperative relationship between the RR Museum of PA and the Smithsonian. This is not anthing new though, they sent the John Bull replica to Railfair in California, and then on to the Railroaders Museum in Altoona, and then Steamtown. Great museums know and understands the value of loans and working with other museums.<p>These are all first class museums and other places should take note. Maybe one day the folks at MoT will be upstanding members of the museum world and loan the Reading inspection engine to a museum here in the east.<br>



tgears@dca.net

Yes, these institutions should be commended for this level of cooperation; however, such a relationship is a result of prolonged credibility and trust between each of the organizations.<br>

I could not have said it better. When there is credibility and trust, anything can be accomplished. However, how can one trust a group of people who are trying to steal items out of another museum's collection?<p>Give it a rest, Gears!<br>