By Railfan & Railroad Staff

STRASBURG, Pa. — The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum has purchased one of the world’s only surviving camelback steam locomotives. On July 15, Age of Steam placed the winning bid for Philadelphia & Reading Railroad 0-4-0 1187, which has been at the Strasburg Rail Road for decades. The purchase price was not disclosed. 

The locomotive was built in 1903 and was specially designed to burn the smokeless anthracite “hard coal” found in deposits across the eastern part of Pennsylvania. The locomotive last ran at Strasburg in the 1960s. “The addition of this historically significant locomotive to the museum’s collection was important due to our founder Jerry Joe Jacobson’s long desire to acquire, restore and display it at the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum,” stated Executive Director, Noel Poirier. “We are ecstatic and proud to honor Mr. Jacobson’s legacy by successfully acquiring 1187.”

No timeline has been given for the locomotive’s move to Ohio. The camelback will join Age of Steam’s fleet of 22 steam locomotives, which includes everything from a small 0-4-0T to a 2-10-4.