Topping (George W.) Diploma of Honorable Mention, 1894
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- George W. Topping diploma of honorable mention
- Dates:
- 1894
- Abstract:
- A Diploma of Honorable Mention issued August 14, 1894 by the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian Exposition to George W. Topping for "his skill as an expert artisan [when] he assisted in the production and perfection of the exhibit of the American Balance Slide Valve Co., San Franciso which was awarded a Medal and Diploma at the World's Columbian Exposition" (Chicago, 1893).
- Extent:
- .01 Linear Feet Single folder
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], George W. Topping Diploma, MS 221, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
A Diploma of Honorable Mention issued August 14, 1894 by the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian Exposition to George W. Topping for "his skill as an expert artisan [when] he assisted in the production and perfection of the exhibit of the American Balance Slide Valve Co., San Franciso which was awarded a Medal and Diploma at the World's Columbian Exposition" (Chicago, 1893). The Museum also displays Mr. Topping's 1885 model of Central Pacific No. 155 in the lobby of the Railroad History Museum.
- Biographical / historical:
-
George W. Topping (1864-1930) built the live steam model of the Central Pacific No. 155 in Sacramento, California in 1885. While a machinist apprentice in Central Pacific's Sacramento Shops, Mr. Topping had the opportunity to measure and prepare detailed drawings of the actual locomotive during its overhaul and repair.
Two years were required to complete Topping's 1-inch scale, 4 ¾-inch gauge model of the original locomotive. It is fifty inches long from point of pilot (cow catcher) to the end of the tender's coupler and weighs over sixty pounds. The drive wheels are 5 1/8 inches in diameter, with cylinders of 1 ¼-inch bore and 2-inch stroke. The copper boiler has twelve 7/16-inch diameter fire tubes. All parts essential to operation as a working model are fully operable, while other parts, necessary for appearance but not for operation, are only simulated.
George Topping's model was operated at the California State Fair in 1887. It ran on a track inside of a large pavilion and raised such complaints about smoke from the charcoal firing that it was necessary to substitute a kerosene burner to steam the locomotive. Central Pacific No. 155 was also exhibited in San Francisco as the Twenty-sixth Industrial Exposition of the Mechanic's Institute in 1891 and at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Between 1969 and 1972, Howard F. Toping, the builder's son, restored the model. Mrs. Howard F. Topping donated the Central Pacific No. 155 to the California State Railroad Museum in 1975 in remembrance of both.
George W. Topping passed away in 1930 and is buried in the Chapel of the Chimes Columbarium and Mausoleum in Oakland, Alameda County, California. Topping's wife, Emma (1872-1965), son, Howard F. Topping (1900-1972) and daughter-in-law, Luella W. (1901-1992) are all buried in the Chapel of the Chimes Columbarium and Mausoleum in Oakland, Alameda County, California.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of Mrs. Howard Topping, 1975
- Arrangement:
-
Single item
- Physical location:
- Statewide Museum Collections Center
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Awards
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-04-06 15:42:29 +0000 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research by appointment. Contact Library Staff
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has not been assigned to the California State Railroad Museum. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the CSRM Library & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the CSRM as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], George W. Topping Diploma, MS 221, California State Railroad Museum Library & Archives, Sacramento, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
111 I StreetSacramento, CA 95814, US
- Contact:
- (916) 323-8073