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on display at the National Railroad Museum on April 26 2004 . This locomotive was built for use in France during WWI but never made it there. The original European style cab was replaced by an American style.]] s at the museum.]] The National Railroad Museum, located in Ashwaubenon , Wisconsin (a Suburb of Green Bay ), is one of the oldest Museum s dedicated to Railroad History . It was founded in 1956 by community volunteers in Green Bay who contributed time and resources. Throughout its history, patron contributions have continued to create one of the largest railroad preservation institutions in the United States . Today, the National Railroad Museum is home to one of the United States' most historic railroad collections. The museum has a large collection of rolling stock and a number of historic Locomotives including an '' Aerotrain '', Union Pacific ''Big Boy'' No. 4017 (the world's largest steam locomotive type), and the British Railways A4 Class No. 60008 ''Dwight D Eisenhower'' (ex- London & North Eastern Railway No. 4496 ''Golden Shuttle'') and train used by the Supreme Allied Commander and his staff in the United Kingdom during World War II . In addition to the rolling stock there is a museum building housing a wide variety of railroad artifacts, an archive, and photography gallery. The grounds also contain an extensive model railroad housed in a separate building as well as a Standard Gauge track around the perimeter of the grounds. There is also an 80 foot high wooden observation tower with views of the river and Green Bay. The museum hosts an annual ''Day Out with Thomas'' event, where Thomas The Tank Engine pulls young friends past the exhibited rolling stock. HISTORY The origin of the National Railroad Museum dates to 1956, when local individuals advanced the concept of a national museum dedicated to American railroad history. Two years later, a joint resolution of Congress recognized the Museum as the National Railroad Museum. Since then, the Museum has operated as a privately funded 501(c)(3) educational organization with a mission to foster an understanding of railroading and its significance to American Life. What began as an effort to acquire a single steam locomotive for a city park has grown into one of the largest railroad museums in the nation. It now serves over 75,000 visitors annually. Today, a professional staff of 12 and over 100 unpaid staff members welcome visitors from all over the world. ROLLING STOCK COLLECTION As one of the oldest railroad museums in the country, the National Railroad Museum exhibits a large collection of locomotives and railcars spanning more than a century of railroading.
ARCHIVES COLLECTION The Archives Collection includes corporate records and documents, annual reports, maps, mechanical and engineering drawings, oral histories, and ephemera. The holdings of the collection represent various railroad companies, labor unions, and fraternal organizations. LIBRARY COLLECTION The Library Collection and the Archives Collections of the National Railroad Museum represent a variety of topics that allow researchers to interpret the social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of U.S. railroading history. ARTIFACT COLLECTION The National Railroad Museum houses over 5,000 artifacts including textiles, uniforms, tools and personal items. PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION The Photograph Collection includes 15,000 photographic prints, slides, and film negatives representing railroading in the United States geographically from 1890 through the present day. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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