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Saluda Historic Depot Telegraph, Fall 2016
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SALUDA GRADE DIORAMA (Z-SCALE)
The Saluda Grade diorama starts 1/2 mile east of downtown Saluda, continues down the three mile Saluda Grade, and ends at the east end of Melrose which was the staging area for trains running the grade. It is set in 1950 when both diesel and passenger trains ran throughout the Southern Railway system. It demonstrates the difficulty of getting a train safely up or down the mountain and, since people cannot see very much of the grade from the road, shows where the tracks actually are on the mountain.
Built by the Apple Valley Railroad Model Club, building this size of a model was indeed a challenge. "We have tried to be as authentic as possible with structures and terrain through the use of topographic maps and Google Earth software," says Larry Morton, president of the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club.
O SCALE GRADE DIORAMA OF ERAS OF RAILROADING in Saluda
After st
udying the engineering feat and h
istory of the Saluda Grade, Dr. Fred McConnel (Mac), has held a passion for Saluda and the role that this section of the railroad played in the transformation of western NC. Dr. McConnel, a native from Asheville and currently Atlanta, GA has captured this railroad history in a multi-tiered, O Scale interactive train diorama that he donated to the Saluda Historic Depot.
The O Scal
e diorama illustrates different scenes of the railroad eras starting with the first passenger steam locomotive pulling into Saluda in 1878 complete with convict labors and Captain Charles Pearson, chief engineer of the building of the Saluda Grade. Scenes also include the logging trains, a model of Melrose and the safety tracks, The Carolina Special, a reproduction of the 611, and a replicate of the train crash with Pit Ballew who first thought of how to make the grade safer and probably saved the grade from abandonment in 1903. Engineer Ballew's concept of safety tracks is probably the most important contribution of Saluda to transportation safety. Even though the track now lies in rust, lives are still being saved on our nations highways.
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Saluda Historic Depot Calendar
September/October
September 3
- Variety of Art Exhibits
September 23
- Saluda Train Tales, Rodger Stroup from SC State Museum, South Carolina's Railroad Heritage: What's Gone, What's Still Here
October 15-16
- Stoker on Stoker and Mysteries of Dracula with Dacre Stoker
October 17
- 1st Annual Golf Tournament at Bright's Creek.
October 31
- Costume Halloween Party
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First Annual Golf Tournament at Bright's Creek
Designed by renowned Tom Fazio, Bright's Creek will host the first annual Saluda Historic Depot Golf Tournament on Monday, October 17, 2016 during one of the most colorful times of the year. Not only will you enjoy playing on one
of the "Top Residential Courses" in the US, you will have fun competing for 1st, 2nd and 3rdplace prizes plus "closest to the pin," "fewest putts," and "longest drive" for both men and women. There will also be two special "Hole-In-One" opportunities to win a new car, courtesy of Bryan Easler Toyota and $10,000 cash, courtesy of Mike Gilliam Agency, Nationwide Insurance in Hendersonville.
If you are looking for an opportunity to support the depot and promote your business, there are several sponsor level options from which to choose. Major sponsor levels are: "Engineer" for $2500, "Conductor" for $1500 and "Brakeman" for $1000, plus Hole sponsorships for $100 and Flag/pin sponsorships for $250. Each level includes many features. Look for a complete description at the website
SaludaHistoricDepot.com
under Events.
"We hope to make this an annual event for the depot, taking place during one of the most beautiful times of the year on one of the most breath-taking courses in the country and that just happens to be in our back yard," says Judy Ward.
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How the West Was Won Exhibit is Moving to the Spencer NC Transportation Museum for the Next Year
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The Saluda Historic Depot was richly blessed by Ray Rapp and the generous use of the Mars Hill University exhibit detailing the age of railroads in Western North Carolina. The exhibit contributed significantly to the success of our summer season. We are hopeful a reproduction of the exhibit may be made available to us for permanent exhibition and edification of our visitors.
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Did you know???
The Depot Board entered entered into purchase agreement for the Depot this summer. Thanks to all of our generous donors who have contributed to the down payment and operations of the museum for our first year. We still have a lot of mountain to climb but we are encouraged with your help we will make the GRADE!
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Volunteers Needed!
We need volunteers for 2 hours per week, Thursday to Sunday from 12 to 4. This is the best way to learn the history of Saluda and meet people from all over the world. Saluda has become a destination and over the past 18 months we have had over 6000 visitors at the Depot. It is so rewarding to meet the visitors that come to Saluda who want to know about the trains that once climbed the grade. The best thing you can do for yourself and your community is to help us at the depot. We invite stay-at-home Moms and Dads, teenage students, and new people to our area to please consider volunteering and learning more about your home town and to become part of the Saluda Historic Depot & Museum.
We love our volunteers... Alice Phillips, Anita Moore, Barbara Hastings, Barbra Steckel, Bill Klippel, Carla Baumgartner, Dave O'Brien, Helene Pasternak, Jaine, Nelson, Lesesne Smith, Mike Boyce, Mike Gleaton, Mike Kozma, Mike Reeves, Susan Garfinkle, Susan Johnson, Tim Driggers and Bill Lee.
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The board of the SHD realizes that many Saludians and visitors would like to know what they can do to help with the depot. We have put together a "Wish List" of items and services that we need. Items should be new or in good usable condition.
1. 10 X 8 Storage Shed
· 2. Vintage or appropriate period ceiling fans with lighting
· 3. 3 Exterior glass doors
· 4. Gutter repair
Special thanks to the Saluda Business Association who donated the funds to purchase more than 50 new padded folding chairs!
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How to Donate to the Fundraising
Visit our Website scroll down to the bottom of the page and pay using secure Paypal or a credit card.
Send donations to Saluda Historic Depot, PO Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773.
Saluda Historic Depot is a 501-C(3) non profit and all donations are tax deductible.
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Click here to
Learn More About the History of the Railroad
and Saluda.
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