124 REPORT ON NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1886. 



to the collection already in the Museum objects illustrative of the history and growth 

 of this industry in the United States. Specimens thus acquired will be exhibited in 

 the Museum in the namo of the donor. 



"Spencer F. Baird, 

 "Secretary Smithsonian Institution and Director U. S. National Museum." 



In order that the collection in connection with this section may be made as com- 

 plete and creditable as possible your co-operation is earnestly requested. 



The Pennsylvania Railroad Company has already presented to the Museum loco- 

 motive No. 1 (of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company), more familiarly known 

 as the "John Bull," together with a section of the original track, laid with stone 

 blocks, etc., upon which this, the oldest engine on their system, ran. Many other 

 valuable relics from other railroads have also been furnished. 



I shall be glad to receive information as to the whereabouts of parts of such loco- 

 motives, cars, steam-boats, track, etc., as may be of historic value, together with au- 

 thentic drawings of early railway appliances, also old tickets, old time-tables, systems 

 of old baggage checks, etc. 



A nation which contains within its borders over 120,000 miles of railway, represent- 

 ing a stock and bonded capital of over $7,000,000,000, should be zealous to preserve 

 the history of the efforts of the pjoneers in railway construction and equipment, 

 which, during the last half century, have had such an immense influence upou our 

 growth and the development of our civilization. 



With this end in view the authorities of the National Museum have organized this 

 section, by which they hope to perpetuate the history of the birth and development 

 of the American railway and steam-boat, as well as to add an interesting and instruct- 

 ive feature to the Museum, which is annually visited by between two hundred and 

 three hundred thousand persons, hailing from every State and Territory in the Union, 

 as well as from almost every nation. 



Yours, respectfully, J. Elfreth Watkins, 



Honorary Curator Section Steam Transportation. 



On the 16th of January, 1886, I sailed from New York for a visit to 

 the museums of the Old World in the interests of the section of steam 

 transportation, and to investigate for the Pennsylvania Kailroad Com- 

 pany the subject of electric lighting of railway cars and stations, and to 

 examine the various systems of handling freight at large terminal sta- 

 tions abroad. 



Through credentials furnished by the Secretary of the Smithsonian 

 Institution and letters from officials of the Pennsylvania Eailroad Com- 

 pany, unusual facilities were afforded me by the officials of railways and 

 museums to make good use of fifty days on foreign soil. 



Most tourists go abroad during the summer months and do Eu- 

 rope while everything is at its best. From the 29th of January, when 

 we landed at Antwerp, until March 20, when we sailed from the same 

 port, we had abundant opportunity to judge of the relative merits of 

 foreign railways and American railroads so far as safety, speed, and 

 comfort are concerned, in unpleasant winter weather. The ground 

 covered was as follows : 



New York to Antwerp (Belgium), to Harwich (England), to London, 

 Edinburgh, Glasgow, Port Glasgow, Greenock, Belfast (Ireland), 

 Giant's Causeway, Londonderry, Strabaue, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, 

 Cork, Dublin, Holyhead (England), Chester, Liverpool, Crewe, Man- 



