Pulling into the station

Published 4:04 pm Thursday, February 15, 2018

Landrum to consider purchase of historical railcar 

LANDRUM — It is 85 feet long, 10 feet wide and 13 feet tall.  

It is made out of stainless steel and is nearly 70 years old. 

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The Landrum City Council has located an historic Pullman railcar from the Pacolet River series. The car is currently part of a museum in Nashville, Tennessee, and will be donated to the City of Landrum — provided leaders cover the cost of moving it.  

“It’s historically correct for this area,” said Landrum resident Bill Steward, who worked for Norfolk and Southern Railroad as a Pullman, and has been a private collector and a dealer of railroad memorabilia for more than 40 years.  

“This car is one of 22 built between 1948 and 1952,” Steward said. “This in one of the cars that ran the railroad line through Landrum.” 

The city council received an economic development grant to put toward the purchase, shipping and refurbishing of a railcar to use for a new museum. The museum will include railroad memorabilia and information about the railroad in the foothills area.  

Landrum City Administrator Rich Caplan recommended a committee travel to Nashville to look at the car before it is purchased. The city council is also considering locations for the museum and will take bids for the shipping of the railcar.