Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Big Engine that Did


One of the sites that I point out on my walking tour to Silver Spring's original "Silver" Spring is this section of mosaic mural located at the Georgia Avenue underpass (where Georgia dips under the Metro/CSX tracks). The murals were designed and put together by Arts on the Block youths that I worked with back in 2005 to incorporate Silver Spring images into the designs.

 
 
I have fun pointing out to tour participants that this iconic streamline modern locomotive never ran through Silver Spring as part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad but was one of the New York Central Railroad's legendary "Hudson" locomotives. I'm sure the youths saw a photo of this engine, thought it was cool (which it is!), and decided to reproduce it in their mural.


This engine was designed by the famous industrial designer Henry Dreyfus. If you live in an
older house you probably have a Dreyfus original hanging on your wall...his 1953 Honeywell T87 circular wall thermostat!

 
The next walking tour will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Cost $10.00, children under 13 free. 

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.  Email sshistory@yahoo.com or call (301) 537-1253.

Tour begins at:
 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Station
8100 Georgia Avenue (at Sligo Avenue)
Silver Spring, MD  20910

(301) 537-1253