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Rare rail rides draw crowd
Local railroad historical society offers a trip through history
Date published: 11/2/2009
BY JONAS BEALS The Rappahannock chapter of the National Railway Historical Society has a black-and-white photograph of a small open-sided train loaded with heavy tools and men in work clothes. The photo, which hangs in a restored baggage car, is a reminder of the labor that was needed to keep the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad running. A similar scene unfolded Saturday at the Bowman Center in Spotsylvania County. Next to that restored baggage car was a modern, live version of the photo. A compact, yellow five-car train loaded with people eased down the Deep Run Spur for a quick round-trip. Dozens of men, women and children climbed aboard for a jaunt through the autumn woods. It was the first time the historical society had offered such a large-scale opportunity for the public to ride the rails. By all accounts, it was a success. "We're trying to preserve the history of railroad life and restore the equipment," said chapter president Bill Sheild. "Our goal was just to have people become aware of our existence. We didn't know what to expect." He estimated that 200 people had taken the trip between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Corey and Andrea Taylor brought their two children, Sydney and Owen, after seeing the event listed in the paper. "It was great," Corey Taylor said. "The kids loved it. They didn't really care about the history of it, but the caboose was their favorite part." Taylor was talking about the restored caboose sitting on the tracks that featured a cupola kids could climb into and look out of. For the adults, the history was the point. Rambling at 10-20 mph, the little yellow train is a far cry from a thrill ride. Still, there is something satisfying about chugging along behind a refurbished 1930s RF&P motor car. "It's the same one workers used in the '30s and '40s," said museum curator Jake Taylor. Chief Mechanical Engineer Floyd Swiggett was at the controls, sporting an authentic conductor's hat. After stopping at the Tidewater Trail railroad crossing, he shifted the four-speed into gear, pushed the throttle and eased a lever back to engage the transmission. "One guy said they used to run this at 60 miles per hour," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Not with me on it." Deep Run Spur goes from the Bowman Center to milepost 57 of the main north-south CSX line. The little yellow train cannot venture onto those main tracks. An Amtrak train flying past at 70 mph thrilled young onlookers, but proved why the little motor car stayed on the spur. Swiggett put the motor car in reverse and headed back to the rail yard, wheels clacking along the tracks. The historical society is open for equipment tours every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, and members occasionally make runs on the little yellow train, weather permitting. Even if it is cold and wet, visitors can tour the baggage car museum or just talk trains with other local enthusiasts. "We have real perk coffee in the caboose," Jake Taylor said. "It doesn't get any better than that." Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Date published: 11/2/2009
That is so cool!
(posted by
SkiBumMSP
, Nov. 2, 2009 5:34 pm)
I wish I've known about that! That looks so cool. I did not realize we had a railroad museum here in the F'burg area. I hope they do that again. I'll have to go over there and check it out.
A Fine Group!
(posted by
Wasp52
, Nov. 2, 2009 12:34 pm)
Another form of history that is being told thanks to a nice group of dedicated volunteers.
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