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Model of World’s Most Famous Locomotive May Not Be Recognized

The familiar black and red markings on the locomotive the General are recognized all over the world.  However, the General looked very different the day it was stolen by Union spies during the Civil War.

Now, visitors to the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History will be able to see what the General actually looked like the day of the Great Locomotive Chase, thanks to a generous donation from Schneider Model Railroading.

With research assistance from Southern Museum staff and director, Jeff Drobney, Schneider Model Railroading has produced a unique brass model of the famous locomotive as it was the day of the chase.  The model will be presented June 21 at 11 a.m. at the Museum.

Drobney says, “The Museum is honored to house one of the limited models of the locomotive the General in its original condition.”

The project to recreate the General in its original Civil War era appearance began when long time railroad hobbyists and brothers, David and Bruce Schneider, founded Schneider Model Railroading in 2003.

This famous locomotive has been re-constructed many times; however, the models have always been based on how the General looks today.  The original locomotive General was built in 1855, with an “outside frame” and a double steam dome arrangement.  The train was decorated with polished brass, gold leaf scrollwork, and gingerbread moldings.  The boiler was covered with imported Russia Iron.  Unfortunately, there is no known photo of the General prior to the famous “Great Locomotive Chase.” The only photograph of the original locomotive is its “wreck photo” in 1864. 

With only this photo in hand, Dave Schneider was determined to move ahead with remodeling the train.  He contacted the Museum for the names of General experts and began working on limited edition brass models.

 Production for the model trains began in spring, 2004.  Drawings were produced using the old photographs and other sources.  Schneider and many of the Museum staff carefully checked the drawings for accuracy.  The models were produced in spring, 2005. 

The model locomotive contains 12 separate colors on the engine and seven on the tender, exactly as the original was.

For more information about the limited edition General models, please visit www.smrtrains.com

The Southern Museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, features collections of rare Civil War weapons, uniforms, and other personal items; an exciting exhibit about The Great Locomotive Chase, including a short movie; and a full-scale replica of a locomotive factory that helped rebuild the South after the war. 

The Southern Museum is located 20 miles north of Atlanta, off I-75 at exit 273.  For more information, visit www.southernmuseum.org or call (770) 427-2117.