Prototype?

[Doneldon]

Fred-

Did you happen to notice the NYC&HR 999, a 4-4-0 along the north wall of the same room where you saw the (not so) new (anymore) BNSF model? It's a one-time world speed record holder and a very famous locomotive. It has different, smaller wheels than when it set its record (the originals were 86") but it is still a bit of a thrill to see. It hauled the Empire State Express to a world speed record in 1891. It officially went 82 mph but some observers said they clocked it at 112 mph. I don't know which is correct, of course, but I have to say that it's hard to imagine that the official timers could have missed by 30 mph, especially since they were timing this as part of a publicity stunt for the railroad (which was folded into the NYC shortly after the famous run).
                                                                                                                                                                          -- D