Civil War Era Passenger Car
This morning was one of those mornings that all is right with the world.
Visiting the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland and meeting with guest curator and author, Daniel Carroll Toomey, I stepped back into time.
With his recently published book “The War Came by Trains,” Mr. Toomey shared with me that he wrote the book in a blazing nine months. Hiding in the basement of his home, writing seven days a week up to fifteen hours a day the well researched and beautifully illustrated book tells the story of trains during the American Civil War.
When sharing his story with me in the creation and development of the stellar Civil War Train exhibit at the museum, I was reminded of the power of networking. People of liked minds and interest in sharing their love of trains during the civil war period cross all borders. Many items are shared with the museum from private collections to be displayed in the exhibition gallery.
During the civil war, this popular yellow passenger car was transformed to be a hospital train car where injured soldiers were transported and cared for along the B&O railroad system. This car was returned to its original passenger car design, complete with oil lamps and a spittoon.
It was one of those mornings where I felt like royalty. Mr. Toomey was a true gentleman and being Maryland’s top expert of the civil war in Maryland, his depth and breadth of the subject was awe inspiring. With great passion for not only the civil war era, but also his brainchild of “The War Came by Trains” exhibit, in his word: “Coming to the museum is like going to Carnegie Hall.”
Thank you so much Dan for a fantastic morning exploring your world.
Categories: 2013 Project 365, Baltimore, Civil War, history, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Wow! I had no idea that trains from that era were so colorful, the very few that I’ve seen have been drab and faded. Thank you, and thank Dan for allowing you to pass on his knowledge.
Thanks Jerry. I must admit I boosted the color a bit. But I’d imagine the yellow was quite bright when it was new. This was such a fun and amazing day. You would have loved it!
I would have loved it, I’ll keep that museum in the back of my mind, hopefully I will have the chance to visit it someday. The train museums I have been to were more focused on freight, such as the trains used to transport iron ore to the shores of the Great Lakes for the ore to be loaded on the big “Lakers” that ply the lakes.
Beautiful photos, excellent captured – I haven’t seen these trains before… 🙂
As I would imagine Drake. There are only 25/26 Train cars left in existence from the Civil War, and this museum has eight of them ! Beautiful and such works of art.
What a terrific exhibit. I know that my son would’ve loved to have seen those trains.
Kids LOVE this place ! They really think of kids and try to make it interesting for them. They just run around and laugh. It’s a happy place.
I am very interested in trains, Emily. This was extraordinary!
Thank you so much Bente. I went up to get information for an article I’m writing. I’ll share it with you if/when it gets published. 🙂
The train’s hub in a couple of spots as they move from west to east and cross the Mississippi River. I grew up in a town on the east side of the Mississippi where the trains and train cars were resorted and sent further east. I grew up with a real love of our railroad heritage. I have visited many museums that celebrate this history and I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures.
Oh how very exciting. You’ll be thrilled to hear about this project as I’m trying to get an article together about the civil war train exhibit at the museum. They have the largest collection in the world. Of only 25 or so left, they have 8 of them.
I’ve never been to Carnegie Hall but I can only imagine how luxurious looking this train is.
Me neither, but the idea is that the museum is beautiful, wonderful and the best of the world like Carnegie Hall is.
What beautiful captures. I love the wood tones and that red velvet. Too bad trains don’t look like this today!
It’s true, the era of elegant train travel is long gone except the Orient Express at an outrageous price.
I can hear the orchestra…beautiful…
True artwork in just a different form.
🙂 Well said!
I was on a steam train this past fall and like you I learned a lot, but it did not have the history of the one you toured. Your photos are wonderful.
Oh how fun that must have been. Slowing down and stepping back into history. Glorious!
What a great day, I’ll bet you loved your time with Mr. Tooney – your photographs give us a perfect look into this wonderful piece of history. Looking at the seats I can imagine the sounds of people talking and bustling through the aisle, both as public transportation and for the soldiers.
There is nothing like spending time with someone who is truly passionate about something. They are so inspiring. Love how these photos took you back in time to that place.
We love all your historical photo blogs! 🙂 🙂
Thanks Maggie ! Time to get back to those museums then.
We love those shots too! WOOF WOOF 🙂 🙂
Fantastic perspective, and I love the color and light in these.
Thank you so much Lisa. I really wanted to photograph the inside of this passenger car, and did the best that I could with the limited access.
This is elegant and your photography is perfect!
Isn’t this old train car amazing? How I would love to sit inside.
The train is fantastic Emily, and you have photographed it so well, great job keeping the lush interior.