Lucas R. Safrit is a N.C. Transportation Museum historical interpreter who will share exciting information on June 16, 7 p.m., at the Saluda Historic Depot about the museum in Spencer. He will also describe the different steam and diesel locomotives that traversed the Saluda Grade.

A history major at Catawba College, Safrit has been a NCTM volunteer and an employee for more than 11 years. As a rail operations volunteer at the museum, Safrit will share testimony of things he has heard and seen. As a hobby of North Carolina railroad history, Safrit will tell the stories of North Carolina and Spencer Shops in an entertaining manner.

The N.C. Transportation Museum, located on the grounds of historic Spencer Shops, is the former Southern Railway steam locomotive repair facility located just five minutes off I-85 at Exit 79 in Spencer, N.C., about an hour from Charlotte, Greensboro or Winston-Salem. The museum is part of the Division of Historic Sites and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Saluda Train Tales is a free monthly event to educate the community of the importance of Saluda’s railroad history and the Saluda Grade. These events are at the Saluda Historic Depot, 32 W. Main Street in Saluda. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation is from 7 to 8 p.m. The events are free and voluntary donations are appreciated.

Donations and memberships to the Saluda Historic Depot in 2017 will enable us to receive matching grant funds from the Polk County Community Foundation. Saluda Historic Depot is a 501(c)3 non profit and all donations are tax deductible.

For more information, contact Judy Ward at 828-674-5958 or judyward@charter.net or Cathy Jackson at 828-817-2876 or cathy@saludalifestyles.com.

– article submitted by Cathy Jackson