Looking like it’s factory new, this unique car is part 9 of our series highlighting the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s Places in Peril program. In our case it’s some of our equipment, not the museum. The Trust’s program exemplifies what can be accomplished when something needs a little work, and encourages community and corporate investment, education, restoration, and historic preservation. Just look at that woodwork! This is what can be accomplished when we join together and save a piece of history for the next generation. We seek your support.
The tool car was built in 1929 by the Western Union Company at their Chattanooga, Tenn., shops. The Western Union Company constructed or modified railroad cars for use in their “camp car outfits” from about 1914 until 1930 for a heavy reconstruction program of their telegraph lines nationwide.
SRM’s tool car #3558 is the last car in existence destined to remain in Western Union paint. The tool car housed the Provision Room with saw-tooth adjustable shelves and a Seeger Ice Box Refrigerator. It was donated in 1966 and lovingly restored by volunteers, inside and out. It’s a true masterpiece.
This is what can be accomplished through donations of time and treasure. You can touch it, peek inside the rolling warehouse, look underneath, and wonder what it was like to ride and work in the car. We invite you to participate with us as we prepare the museum for generations to come. For information on how your gift or your company or foundation sponsorship can help, please write: execdirector at train-museum dot com Thank you!
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