The ceiling of 1883 Official Car 5 was repainted in 2023. An old pinstriping pattern was revealed.
May 2, 2024, Press Release from the John H. Keller Sr. Railroad Exhibit Advisory Board: In honor of the 75th anniversary of the construction of Lima's last steam locomotive, Nickel Plate Road 779, there will be an open house at Lincoln Park (199 S. Shawnee Street, Lima, OH 45804) from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
The 220-ton Locomotive 779 was rolled out of the Lima Locomotive Works in May 1949. This brought down the curtain on eighty years of production, numbering over 7,500 steam locomotives that were shipped all over the world. Lima was the third-largest commercial builder of locomotives in the USA, enjoyed a reputation for the highest quality, and frequently led the way on new innovations in their industry. Lima also built shovels, cranes, draglines, and, during World War II, hundreds of Sherman Army tanks.
The ceiling of 1883 Official Car 5 was repainted in 2023, so this is an opportunity to showcase the exhibit. An old pinstriping pattern was revealed, probably after being covered up by paint since the 1930's. There is not a living person who ever knew this was hidden. A small corner has been preserved for now.
The Railroad Exhibit was established in 1966 primarily through the efforts of John H. Keller, Sr. of Lima, a railroad conductor and nationally recognized railroad historian. Open houses are usually scheduled for at least one day per year, but so far, this is the only date on the calendar.
