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Grant to be used to refurbish rail car for museum

LANDRUM—The City of Landrum now has some major funding to refurbish the historic rail car for a museum. 

Landrum received a $200,000 grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism for the rail car, which the city named the Landrum Rail and History Museum. 

The grant is projected to pay for half of the costs to turn the rail car into a museum. City officials said the remainder of the renovations, will likely be paid for through the city’s hospitality tax. 

The rail car, which was donated to the city in 2018 will likely begin renovations this summer. The city asked residents to help name the museum last year and after receiving feedback, decided on Landrum Rail and History Museum. The rail car sits near the Landrum Depot, off U.S. 176. 

The rail car was built in 1949 as part of a 24-car order to Pullman Standard Company for Southern Railway. It is a 10-6 sleeper, which includes 10 roomettes for one person and six bedrooms for two people.  

Southern Railway named cars after rivers in the area and this car was named Pacolet River.  

The Pacolet River was in service on the trains between New York and New Orleans as well as other lines where sleepers were used until 1979.  

Landrum Mayor Bob Briggs said the city may start refurbishing the outside of the rail car to make it more presentable sometime this summer. 

City officials hope the museum will help boost tourism as the museum will tell the story of how the railroad helped shape the community. 

Plans for the museum include building a platform outside the rail care and an entrance leading to the museum. New parking is also planned. 

The city is accepting donations for the museum, as well as historical artifacts from the railways to be able to display in the museum once it’s complete.