Special Feature: “Streamlined Trains” @11am

Railroads have played an enormous role in America’s development and culture, none more dramatic in public perception than the iconic 20th-century locomotive and passenger cars designs for the Country’s high end railroad passengers and luxury trains. Beginning in the 1930s, Art Deco emerged as a prominent design theme. For railroads, Art Deco was manifested in streamlining, smooth design and innovative use of interior space and function. Using commentary and slides, David Vaughn will trace and illustrate these dramatic developments, using as examples the works of and rivalry between two well-known 20th-century industrial designers: Raymond Loewy and Henry Dreyfus.

Loewy styled the locomotives and designed the trains for the 1938 and 1948 Broadway Limiteds of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Dreyfuss styled the locomotives and designed the 1938 and 1948 20th Century Limiteds for the New York Central Railroad. They battled for design supremacy for their respective railroads, which were themselves staunch rivals. The commissions awarded to Loewy and Dreyfuss gave them control of all design aspects of the engines and cars, from locomotive styling, down to and including china and menus for the dining cars, and everything in between. David’s presentation will also touch on the period through and after WWII into the 1950s, during which Art Deco continued to influence railroad design.

David Vaughn, by profession an attorney, arbitrator and mediator in labor and employment disputes, is a life-long railroad enthusiast who participates in multiple railroad, rail fan and model railroad organizations, including the New York Central Historical Society. He holds or has held offices in a number of such organizations. He and his wife Catherine own and are restoring the 1950 Pullman-built streamlined lightweight passenger car City of Chicago, a combination sleeping, dining, and lounge car previously owned by the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (the “Nickel Plate Road”). The car is a prime example of Art Deco design. David served as National Director of the Nickel Plate Road Historical and Technical Society.

Highlighting the Cincinnatian, the B&O’s Last Streamliner: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is most remembered for being the first common carrier railroad in the United States. It also had a storied passenger service fleet, including several streamlined trainsets such as the Royal Blue and Capitol Limited. Nicholas Bulgarino of Bulgarino Locomotive Works will cover the development and history of the Cincinnatian, the last streamliner the B&O created.

These presentations will include a display of a scale model of the 1948 20th Century Limited and a model of the Cincinnatian, and be followed by an opportunity for questions and comments. Appropriate for ages 11 and up.

Ongoing Activities

• Take a self-guided tour outside & inside the station.
• “Train Spot” under the canopy! See locomotives galore! Wave at the engineers!
• Indoors, enjoy the HO-scale model train display courtesy of the Rockville Model Railroad Society
• Play with wooden toy train sets.
• Visit the station manager’s ticket office and 1945 telephone booth.
• See railroad photos & memorabilia, including the original B&O “Drumhead,” along with photos & memorabilia of the original Downtown Silver Spring.

This station is in the National Register of Historic Places, a Montgomery County Historic Site, and a gem in Silver Spring’s Arts & Entertainment District.

Please note that because of contractor equipment using the lot, the number of available parking spaces will be limited. There is a special needs space and ramp at the station. Additional parking is available one block away at county garage and lot #4, 8100 Fenton Street, with an additional entrance off of Sligo Avenue. Traffic and crosswalk lights facilitate crossing Georgia Avenue at Sligo Avenue in front of the station.

Open House Co-Hosted by Montgomery Preservation & Silver Spring Historical Society

Check out photos from past Open Houses