Next work session is July 15/16.

The train number is typically on a Driscoll negative or slide but not on the cab view of 1394. The name of the Engineer is not recorded but the Fireman is Mr. Floyd A. Frick.

His family furniture business was beside the Southern main line in Reidsville (thus many photos there). He kept his camera close so when a different engine stopped at the depot, he would go out and get a photo, usually with a post-card negative size camera and B&W film. Many of his photos of trains at the depot were of Train 11 pulled by Ps-4s. (The Driscoll collection has a number of “first” and “last” run photos.)

A loco on that train did not necessarily mean a permanent assignment, Spencer Shops would use the train to “break in” engines after class repairs. They would return to the shop for any necessary adjustments and then be sent to their assigned terminal or Division.

Because of that, on many of his photos, you can almost “smell the paint” that may have been applied the day or so before. He also took the opportunity to take detail photos during the station stops.

Ike

PS Tentative plans are for Doug Alexander to present a Ps-4 modeling and prototype clinic at the joint convention.

The following photo, also an undated Kodachrome ASA10 slide by David Driscoll showing Tr 11 passing through Reidsville, probably when he started shooting Kodachrome slides around 1950?

In the SRHA digital files….

Ike

Scroll to bottom for images at Spencer.

Dave

Here's one I took the day they  rolled it out of the shop at Spencer 

They are the same style that Southern used when it replaced the original Pullman, “Point Richmond”, trucks in the 60s. (I understand they were the last such pair built by General Steel Castings. The replacements that Southern put under OC-21 were sold by its previous owner after they bought NS-8 from Norfolk Southern. They are now under the business car the New Orleans Public Belt has for sale.)

With some luck, the car will be in service for the joint SRHA-L&NHS convention at TVRM 9-30/10-1.

As you may be aware, TVRM is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. In my opinion (I’m not an officer, only a member, certainly not speaking for the museum) it is the finest operating railroad museum in the Southeast. Three years ago, an eight year old, 9,000 sq. ft. building just across Turntable Road from the Grand Junction property came available, TVRM with help from SRHA members, acquired it as an archives facility and TVRM support building. (I’ve attached a photo). Recently, the Louisville & Nashville Historical Society upgraded another part of the facility and moved their archives from Bolling Green, KY. The L&NHS archives will be dedicated during the SRHA-L&NHS joint convention 9-30/10-1.

Early last year another (approx 10,000 sq. ft.) building came on the market, also adjacent to the TVRM Grand Junction property. Again, with help from SRHA, members, TVRM purchased it. It contains first class offices, conference room, a kitchen and a (est.) 5,000 sq. ft. exhibit area, all with modern lighting and HVAC equipment.

That building will, for the first time in 60 years, provide TVRM with a permanent indoor, all year, railroad museum. The building will be doubled in size and a two track train shed will provide cover for multiple pieces of TVRM locomotives and rolling stock.

As must be obvious, this will be an expensive multi year project. I have no doubt TVRM will accept ideas and assistance of any kind. Many of the joint convention clinics and RPM display area will be in the exhibit building with activities also at the archives, headquarters and Grand Junction depot (not to mention the Shop at East Chattanooga and TVRM trains)!

Join us at the convention, 10-30/11-1, any SRHA archives work session or whenever you can get to Chattanooga.

Ike

At present, planning is mostly for the “brick and mortar” additions planned for the complex in addition to the existing 10,000 sq ft building. Those include an extension to the exhibit building, a new restroom “pod”, rolling stock display shed and turntable. (A roundhouse will follow.)