Named for the first 20 Presidents of the United States, they were the prime motive power for the B&O’s top passenger trains for 31 years.

Bearing a considerable resemblance to the Pennsylvania Railroad’s K4s, the two designs did differ in their style of firebox and boiler pressure.

[1] Water scoops mounted on the underside of the tender allowed the locomotives to refill their 11,000-gallon tanks without stopping.

The cabs of the locomotives were equipped with automatic train control, which improved safety by forcibly applying the brakes if the engineer failed to acknowledge an unfavorable signal.

Combined with a vibrant green paint scheme and gold trim, the railroad hoped to make the class more distinctive and memorable.

The locomotives were put on display frequently for public relations, with the class making its debut performance at the Fair of the Iron Horse, which celebrated the railroad’s 100th anniversary in 1927.

[2] The locomotives were used throughout the B&O’s network in the eastern US, with their most famous efforts being the Royal Blue, a high-speed train connecting Washington DC and Jersey City.

5300, it was then repainted in its original 1927 appearance which included: renumbering to 5300 from No.100, the dual-beam headlight swapped for a single beam Pyle National headlight, and the engine was repainted to the original B&O olive green and gold scheme with the Presidential series name, The President Washington, onto the cab.

The locomotive also received another cosmetic repaint in 1981, and the curved coal bunker sides tender remains much as it was in service.

5300 was initially put on static display at the museum in November 1968, and it subsequently spent the next thirty-seven years sitting outdoors alongside other locomotives, including No.

5300 was put inside one of the museum's buildings to remain safe out of the elements and received a fresh repaint in its original olive green color.