I have an opportunity to get a cast iron herald that was mounted on the boiler plate of a B&O steam engine. It is original and not a reproduction. A freind of mine, whose father worked for the B&O, has a few items he is selling. I found a few on the web that’s been autioned off but the sale price is not shown. Secondly, it appears they are getting rare. Anyone have an idea or thought what the value would be? It’s around 16" plus in diameter, painted in a gold or yellow color showing signs of use, three mounting holes and in very good condition.
It depends on what plate it is we are talking about. A builder’s plate from Alco or Baldwin or whatever (or a railroad’s own shops) can bring values in the several hundreds of dollars if it can be authenticated. It would show a year built and other information, such as class. Those would typically be seen on the side of the smokebox and thus would have a slight curve built into them A flat number plate such as from the front of the smokebox might bring many hundreds. On most railroads that would be the typical number surrounded by name of builder, although some B&O steamers had the capitol herald with the letters B&O underneath. To my mind that style of plate adds interest and value but some may disagree.
There are often other plates, to identify various appliances such as superheaters and injectors and such, which while in a sense more rare, do not bring quite as high a value. The equipment trust plates such as you see on freight cars, but also on some locomotives, are usually under $100 at the swap meets I have attended.
Now if we are speaking of a true B&O herald such as the round capitol herald plate, or the special ones seen on the front of their streamlined Pacifics we are speaking about a very valuable collectible item, possibly $1000 if you can find a motivated buyer. I think there was a similar herald plate on some of the early streamlined diesels.
Prepare however to ask for evidence of authenticity. There have been both cast metal and (remarkably real looking) cast plaster reproctions over the years. Indeed anyone with an orginal and some notion of elementary casting techniques could run off a pretty decent replica.
Dave Nelson
Dave:
This is the round capital herald showing a capital dome with the letters B&O underneath that would have been mounted in the center on the front of the smokebox. Definitely an original.
Thanks,
Willy
Although not the exact emblem you are describing here is a closed listing from ebay with no takers at $500. Like so many things, value varies widely based on demand and available buyers with money in hand at the time.
I have seen this particular emblem used pretty frequently on B&O passenger equipment. The flat ones were on either side of the end doors of B&O RDCs so that’s 4 per car times however many RDCs had them.
On early diesels they would have been slightly rounded to conform to the nose profile.
Steam engines had a heavier cast emblem such as the EM-1 has centered on the smoke box door.
Do you have a picture?
Hope this helps… Good day, Ed
Ed:
I don’t have a picture of the one for sale, but the following link is what I’m looking to possibly purchase from mine friend.
The one I’m looking at is in better condition than the one in the link.
Thanks,
Willy
Hi, Willy
I’m no B&O expert but I have been to the Museum a few times and I have seen quite a few photos of their steam locomotives and I’d have to say that the Capitol Dome emblem you describe is a more recent variety that was primarily used on passenger equipment and diesels. Some early switchers even had the cast emblems. I think the square end observation cars had them, too. (Dana, Wawasee, Metcalf)
Again, here’s an RDC showing the type of emblem you describe. The Smokebox emblems were much heavier and I believe cast with the circular background as one piece. The link I gave previously shows the a similar pic to the one you provided.
It is really hard to tell without having the exact history of the piece. There were quite a few B&O steam engines also with a similar emblem. The “President” class pacific had them on the air pump shield.
Take care, Ed
Hi Ed:
Thanks for the information. I appreciate your time with the following up.
Willy