Rare Steamship Artifacts and Locomotives at the Smithsonian

Part of the Smithsonian Institute, the National Museum of American History hosts hundreds of rare artifacts relating to ships and trains, and I wanted to share a few of the highlights we saw on our visit this past weekend.
An 18 foot model of the RMS Mauretania, an original lifebelt from the RMS Titanic, several detailed scale models, and the original John Bull locomotive are only a few of the things we'll be looking at here.

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

6:40 The fact that this 4-4-0 locomotive lasted in regular service all the way up to the end of steam in America is absolutely rare and outstanding.

[@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial]

It probably survived due to it being narrow gauge, but still an incredible legacy.

[@Shipwright1918]

@@FreedomLovingLoyalistOfficial There were other 4-4-0's that lasted as long in standard gauge, particularly in the Southern area of the U.S. A lot of older designs escaped the great scrap drives of WWI and WW2 (which was hard on the early steamers) by being passed down into branch line and industrial service once they were eclipsed by more modern power. Where a bigger and heavier engine would be a waste, the old ones found a niche as they were still useful and their smaller sizes meant they were kind to the track and could squeeze into places the big ones couldn't. The famed 999 comes to mind, she survived being bumped from the Empire State Express by going into milk train service, and eventually a yard engine doing odd jobs. Another in Canada was the roundhouse foreman's baby, and he always made sure it was kept in steady work and in good order so when the big wigs came 'round they had no excuses to get rid of it. Even the mighty Union Pacific had an old 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler from 1890 still plugging away even as the Big Boys and Gas Turbines were on the scene.

[@PennsyPappas]

A real life "Edward" (from Thomas and Friends) and engine well past it's youth yet till finds usefulennes longer than expected.

[@royreynolds108]

The EUREKA of the Eureka & Palisade Ry was built in July 1875 by the Baldwin Locomotive Company. It is operable and also of 3-foot gauge and in private ownership.

[@ChickVicious237]

Thank you for sharing these treasures with us, stunning artifacts. I believe FDR referred to Mauretania as having a soul, such that one could speak to while aboard her. Something like that.

[@QueerOkie]

"All ships have a soul. Mauritania had one you could talk to"

[@ChickVicious237]

@@QueerOkie that's it :) thank you

[@robertphillips6296]

That Automobile that was quickly shown a couple of times was I believe the first one driven across the United States from SanFrancisco to New York. A 1903 Winton Touring Car.

[@jeffcampbell1555]

What a treat this is. I love the Inman Line's City of New York and City of Paris (later City of Philadelphia.) Their raked stems and bowsprits were anachronistic the day they launched but gave the sisters unmatched visual grace. The vaulted skylights forward covered their 1st class dining saloons; within each a bow-window lit a ladies' withdrawing room just aft. They were speedy, too. The City of Paris held the Blue Ribband for a period before RMS Lusitania, which of course dwarfed her. And wasn't it the City of Paris which was drawn into Titanic's suction as she left her berth in Southampton? It's only 110 years ago yet seems like a different planet. Thanks so much, Tom and Emma!

[@Daniel_Huffman]

It was the _City of New York,_ renamed to _New York._

[@jeffcampbell1555]

@@Daniel_Huffman Thank you.

[@goldenstateaviation2861]

I was just here! Definitely my favorite besides the Air and Space. Seeing Leviathan there was a great surprise

[@brianbommarito3376]

8:30 Didn’t Eva Hart say her family were booked to travel on the Philadelphia but were transferred to Titanic? It’s very nice the Smithsonian has a model of the Philadelphia. Thank you for the video. I’ve always wanted to see that amazing museum. They say you could wander for days, maybe even weeks, in those exhibits and never get enough, so much history is there.

[@PZKWVIE131]

True

[@St.Linguini_of_Pesto]

@Brian Bommarito oh, if you ever have the opportunity, every part of the Smithsonian museum complex is ab-so-lute-ly worth it! Whatever fires you up.. the Smithsonian has you covered. I wish my husband & I lived closer to the Smithsonian.. we'd geek out in those places. They'd probably get sick of seeing us. Jeff & I would have to disguise ourselves as prehistory people I honestly don't think anybody would even notice to old numbskulls wandering about, oohing & aahing everything.

[@thatww2nerd81]

I remember my first time visiting DC. It was on a week-long trip through my school. When we had the chance to go through the Smithsonian museums I went walking through the air and space for about a half-hour. Then I went next door to this one, and walk through it until I came to the transportation section. I could have spent hours in there, but sadly I only had an hour. I will go back someday and spend more time in there.

[@ryanfox4462]

I love these random videos popping up in addition to the great stuff you normally do. Such a nice surprise for a Saturday!

[@mathew85]

I love these types of vids, its Pretty cool to see how far and fast we have progressed technologically .

[@Daocpwnswow]

"I hope you enjoy..." mate, a virtual tour of the top interesting exhibitions at the Smithsonian from overseas with the personal guidance of Mr. Tom Lynskey in my ears? I feel like a VIP. I hope you'd stay a day and record like this, I could easily spend a day watching. Thank you very much

[@presspound7358]

Throughout this video…I kept thinking about the extraordinary dedication on the part of the Smithsonian staff of experts, curators along with the artists who helped present one of the greatest exhibits in the world. Kudos to those invisible creators of historic excellence. 🇨🇦

[@deepseadirt1]

Thomas, A great museum, it used to be called Museum of History & Technology. Living in the area, I've been there numerous times over the decades and each time you visit you might find something added. There was (or still is) a large painting I've always liked, that of an elderly Coast Guardsman walking along a beach at night holding a lantern and accompanied by a dog. Quite atmospheric, its been there seemingly forever.

[@patrickwamsley3284]

It should be also interesting to note that John Bull is in fact still in operational condition. Back in the 1980s, they fired up the Bull and ran it and can be seen running in a promotional video they made for the exhibit. It would be nice to say the same for Southern 1401 but she was only restored cosmetically.

[@AlejandroFlores-Ibarra]

Oldest steam locomotive ever to operate in preservation.

[@jamesgoetzke8393]

Love your channel. I recommend it to friends. It's nice to see a young man interested in Naval history. I'm a 60 year old sea dog. Other topics are covered well too.

[@Shipwright1918]

Interesting thing about the John Bull is that besides being the original locomotive, it's still operable. Was fired up and ran not long ago to celibrate the anniversary of the C&A R.R.

[@gavinwhitelaw86]

It was 1980/1 as I recall!

[@shaunbolton4662]

Yes- 1981, the John Bull's 150th anniversary. At which point, the John Bull became the world's oldest operating self-propelled vehicle! How cool is that?

[@mwheape]

I love The Smithsonian. Thanks for taking us to this museum I haven't seen yet.

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for sharing, worth visiting when in the DC area👍

[@JP-su8bp]

Thank you for sharing the highlights of your tour.

[@SQUAREHEADSAM1912]

This channnel never fails to please me, This video is such a fascination.

[@OneRandomMicrowave]

That Model of the Mauritania is huge!

[@tiernanflynn]

Beautifully done video, Tom! If I were to have one gripe, however, it was the skim of Southern Railway 1401. She actually has a very rich history, including being involved in a head on collision with a truck that lead to a derailment, as well as pulling FDR’s funeral train in 1945. Even her preservation alone is worth a video. But, nonetheless, good work. 👌🏻

[@liamroggenkamp]

And she’s the last of the Southern’s famous Ps-4s, definitely a fascinating loco

[@tiernanflynn]

@@liamroggenkamp For sure! Quite beautiful too.

[@royreynolds108]

@@liamroggenkamp Actually, there is a 1.5-inch scale model of the Ps-4 numbered next in number in the Washington, DC offices of the Southern Ry, now the NS RR. The model was assembled with scale parts from the blueprints of the actual locomotives with parts made by workers from all of the Southern Rys steam shops across the system during the Depression of 1929 to 1940.

[@I_am_a_cat_]

Damn this channel is so great. I can't get enough of your historical videos, especially the ships of course, but I'm down for some trains too!

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

What a wonderful walkaround, Tom. Thanks for uploading.

[@blueriver5269]

So very interesting. Thanks for the great tour Tom

[@jerryumfress9030]

My wife and I we're there with a tour group 3 years ago and it was awesome!

[@vince_c]

I wish there were museums like from where I am, I really wanted to go in one. Nice video, Tom!

[@thoughtful_criticiser]

When I was a child I used to visit the Liverpool Museum. The lower floor was full of large models of ships. You could spend hours looking at the detail. I don't know what happened to them, the museum had a refurbishment and when it reopened they were gone. Such a pity.

[@jandoerlidoe3412]

Thank you, for sharing this with us.

[@sarahcartier3393]

Informative and interesting as always. Love your vid's long or short.

[@Electriceye1984bySam]

WOW!!❤❤❤ thank you for this tour👏🏻👍🏻

[@chrishoward4546]

Nicely done thanks for your hard work sir 👍

[@williamgottlieb8723]

That is the original John Bull locomotive of 1831, a replica was built in 1939. The Smithsonian operated the original in 1981 when the locomotive was 150 years old. It would be amazing if they were able to run it again about nine years from now when the John Bull will be 200 years old!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

I’d love to see this one run again if that were possible. The replica is in Lancaster, PA and is also impressive to see

[@davidpawson7393]

I agree with this. Hopefully I'm still operational then too.

[@melted_cheetah]

Thanks for sharing dude! Would love to visit that museum someday.

[@kittybitts567]

I love this! Some years back when my oldest son was stationed at Fort Meade we traveled to D.C. to visit him. We did what everyone does and went to the Air and Space Museum. I wish I had seen this museum! Thank you so much for this lovely tour! It makes me admire even more the men and women who built the great ships and trains and laid the railroads across our great nation. God bless them and God bless you!

[@robertfletcher3421]

What a wonderful museum.

[@averagejoe9040]

"She prqctically annihilated time and space" is indeed high praise. The only other train that can claim that is in back to the future 3.

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Awesome video. Thank you so very much for sharing!

[@YellowStarLine]

Okay this is on my "ABSOLUTELY, MUST SEE" list. Thank you Tom

[@bo7341]

The Smithsonian is so ridiculously huge and full of cool things I had no idea these exhibits existed. Thank you for sharing!

[@ZGryphon]

I remember visiting various Smithsonian museums during a family trip to Washington when I was about 10, and one of the relatively few things that I can still recall clearly about the NMAH four decades later was the information board next to one of the larger locomotives (maybe No. 1401, seen circa 6:48?) explaining, with photographs, that they got it in there by putting it there first and _then_ constructing the museum. That's the kind of thing that sticks with you when you're 10. :)

[@jimjam7782]

As someone who loves steam locomotives and steamships this sounds like a dream to me lol

[@lisamanis4336]

I LOVE all your videos ! Scanning through informative videos, I ran across your channel ! I'm hooked ! Each one has gotten better I've noticed, for I have become somewhat of a binge watcher and find myself waiting for your next video ! Matter of fact...my best friend and her husband came and for special entertainment, we watched "The Swallow", for his birthday and my steamboat addiction ! They loved it ! Keep up the excellent work !!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your videos with the world !

[@vedekcobol]

I live two hours west of DC, and after watching this, I now want to drive out and wander around again sometime soon.

[@crystalrock18]

That’s one thing I do miss about DC when I was stationed at Bolling AFB is having the Smithsonian right next door. That and fresh sea food I do miss.

[@thefungamerline3468]

The beuti of these replices and models brings back old memory in the old days i kinda miss the old days :)

[@The_Dudester]

In 1989, I toured what I thought was all of the Smithsoanians, but I didn't see this one. Thank you for the walk through.

[@kmydet]

that giant mauretania model is so cool. not even in my dreams would i be able to own one of that scale

[@therailfanman2078]

Trains and ships, neat. I'm more of a train guy personally but I like ships too. Now I want to go here

[@tonyromano6220]

Thanks for a wonderful video!

[@GreatDetecting]

Great show 👏

[@iansvendsen3552]

I’d nerd out so hard! Love your content !

[@NitroBoarder17]

Man, you truly have a talent of presenting history in such an engaging interesting way. Well done! Love your channel and am glad to have come across it recently.

[@ironhorsealpha]

I legit love these videos, brother!

[@michaelimbesi2314]

That half hull model is the clipper ship Young America. She was the finest of the clippers built by the founder of my alma mater, a New York City shipbuilder by the name of William H. Webb

[@leaturk11]

What a lovely museum, the next time im in the US I will try and visit.

[@wowgurl13]

I didn't know the Smithsonian had this stuff, I'll have to check it out myself next time I'm in DC! Thank you for letting me know!

[@mnhoss2100]

Great video as always sir 👍

[@bebeandjohnnotsonomadiclif5287]

Thank you.

[@chrisnicholson2407]

Was just there yesterday afternoon. Must've just missed meeting one of my favorite youtubers!

[@tonyromano6220]

Fantastic!

[@MrBluoct]

Thanks You/ yours sure do get around !

[@pendremacherald6758]

John Bull looks so much better than she did when I saw her about a decade ago.

[@Coiledboat]

I was there recently, it was a really cool experience.

[@chadbarnard3620]

If I was rich I'd start a new history channel and give this dude a deal

[@discostew115]

Absolutely love this video, and the museum is awesome. Haven't been there since 06' though.

[@sarahturck8365]

Thank you. I will never get a chance to go to the Smithsonian. I really enjoyed your video.

[@pakerman3d]

Super interesting! I hope to go there some day.

[@chrisshorten4406]

I've always wanted to go to the Smithsonian!

[@DerpyPossum]

%110 on the list of places to visit if my family ends up in DC for the Summer :)

[@Hammerhead_Productions]

Yes I believe that you will make it to 1 million subscribers!

[@Hammerhead_Productions]

You should do a titanic wreck tour when you hit 1 million subscribers. That will be awesome!

[@nmionline9003]

Thanks!!!

[@wildcolonialman]

Brilliant.

[@oliverclothesoff5397]

Your content is great man! Keep up the good work! All very interesting stuff!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

The city of Paris (Philadephia) is my favourite vessel it still has the super elegant clipper design. This 1888s steamer design is almost to beautiful to be true.

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

I live in Australia so I'm not likely to be able to see these museums. Thank you for the presentation I found it interesting and informative.

[@connorredshaw7994]

I need to visit this museum one day when I come to America when I fly over next year in April when I visit my sister and sister in-law or at least in the very near future. The titanic lifebelt was a interesting piece of history and I'm surprised by how small it is. also the glass dome from the majestic is just a piece of art in it's own right. Really enjoyed this video Tom Lynskey thank you.

[@dirkhartman9572]

Awesome video

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

Strange how the model of Mauretania is in her last paint scheme, but with the original (pre-Titanic) lifeboat arrangement.

[@TheHylianBatman]

I love the Smithsonian so much, I have to go there someday. It's clearly worth it!

[@bonnajohnson4971]

I am lucky to have been on a navy ship when i was 16 in 1956 on the uss Norton sound when they gave tours

[@OneRandomMicrowave]

Havent watched the video yet, but I know its gonna be a good one!

[@umarq131]

Nice 👍

[@Kaiserzeit1871]

Ich hoffe das ich es auch einmal ins Smithonian schaffe. Das wäre ein großer Traum von mir.

[@SimonTekConley]

As a heads up, you can get a library card to the library of congress. Also the navy museum is awesome too, and the extension museums of the Smithsonian in Virginia

[@ohlawdy6855]

Looks fantastic, I'd definitely want to visit someday, especially knowing about that dome from Majestic. Closest thing I've got to an experience like this near me is the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, and while it was light on the ocean liners, seeing the WWII German U-boat would satiate me.

[@AlejandroFlores-Ibarra]

There’s also NYC #999, a 4-4-0 express engine that MAY have been the first locomotive to reach 100 MPH. Personally, I believe it was Flying Scotsman that was the first to go 100 but 999 and City of Truro are other contenders for that title.

[@NOrlando952]

I’ve seen some of this, but some I missed. How tf did I miss this!

[@ethanol1586]

I wish I knew about this when I went to the Smithsonian a while ago. Oh well, more reasons to go back

[@michaelmaehle1433]

The same scale builder's model of the Lusitania (also in white and renamed Mauretania after Lusitania was sunk) was in Toronto's Maritime museum. It has since been moved to Halifax.

[@m8rshall]

If you get a chance to visit the UK you really should visit the National Train Museum in York & the National Maritime Museum in Portsmouth.

[@royreynolds108]

The John Bull is the oldest operable steam locomotive in the US if not the world. The "ROCKET" in the British Railways Museum is a reproduction and there is at least one that is operable. There is an operable reproduction of Trevithick's 1803 PENNYDAREN locomotive in Great Britain.

[@arts.4014]

While I realize things that move have a certain appeal, next time you're at the museum, look into what the green 'fence'' in front of the John Bull is. You may be intrigued. If you'd prefer, feel free to contact me and I'll fill you in, Great job on the videos. Sincerely, Art S.

[@nonna_sof5889]

The SS Hendrick Hudson model is really interesting. I'd never really thought about the relation between the draught of the ship and her paddles. Come to think of it, how do you maneuver a stern wheeler? Seems like the paddle would complicate rudder placement.

[@WitchKing-Of-Angmar]

I believe I witnessed the Prinzessin Victoria Luise in the front profile. This will be good.

[@kathyhavelka7612]

Wonderful video! If I may ask, is this a limited time exhibit or a more permanent one? I would love to check it out sometime if time allows!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

Seems to all be permanent

[@geoffmoore3159]

NMAH staff here (not a curator though). These are both permanent exhibits. At least for the foreseeable future.

[@theamericane2655]

I was there yesterday

[@the4tierbridge]

To call the engine at 1:28 the “original Jupiter” is very misleading. The engine most will think of, the one at the Golden Spike Ceremony, was scrapped in 1909. This Jupiter was built after the Golden Spike locomotive, and owned by a completley different company. Edit: he didn’t mention the Morrow Castle model!

[@PartTimeExplorer]

At 6:26 I explain this should not be confused with the Jupiter that was present at the Golden Spike Ceremony

[@the4tierbridge]

@@PartTimeExplorer I hadn't gotten to that part when I made the comment, but Thank You.

[@Brandon47]

My grandfather b26 is being restored @ air and space . It's name is Flak Bait

[@LordSmuggington]

Anything about the shipbuilding/shipping history of the Great Lakes?

[@johnshields6852]

Steam engine on the rails, then on ships, at the time it must've been shocking to people, to see iron horses that move quickly.

[@alexandreroberts8830]

I may be wrong as there were a few different liners that bore the name, but wasn't the SS City of Paris (then SS Philadelphia) the sister ship to the SS City of New York, later shortened to SS New York, which nearly collided with the Titanic in Southampton?