Nov. 8 Ride Day Raises Funds to Move a Piece of Goldston History
(Bonsal, N.C., October 26, 2015) – Visitors who ride New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR), the Triangle’s Train, on Sunday, Nov. 8 will help preserve a piece of railroad history.
The North Carolina Railway Museum, home to NHVR, was recently gifted an 1884 train depot that served the community of Goldston, N.C. until the mid-1900s. Businessman Jerry Gaines saved the depot from demolition in 1973 by moving the 23 x 58 building a few blocks away to use as storage for tires and wares from his three companies.
After sitting on Gaines’ property for more than 40 years, the family is donating the building to the museum and all-volunteer tourist railroad located in Bonsal, N.C. The organization is raising funds to pay to move the depot to its rail yard next spring during its Sunday, Nov. 8 ride day from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“NCRM plans to use the building as a gathering place for special occasions in the rail yard as well as a place to display railroad artifacts and information,” says Mark Duerst, an NCRM volunteer and Goldston Depot project leader.
The same moving company that hauled the building in Goldston more than 40 years ago will move it approximately 25 miles east to Bonsal. The move will cost $40,000 and restoration–including permits, grading and foundation work, paint, windows, and other renovations–is expected to cost $60,000.
“My dad wanted to save the depot because it was a part of our town’s history. He replaced the roof, which is a big reason why it’s in such good shape today,” said Todd Gaines, owner of Gaines Oil Company–one of the three local businesses his father founded.
“We’re donating the depot to NHVR because if it stays in our family, it will never progress to anything more than a storage building,” Todd added. “My dad died in 2008. It’s nice to know that through the railroad, the depot that he helped preserve will become a part of living history for everyone to enjoy.”
The train depot was originally constructed as a freight-only depot for the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railway in Goldston, a rural agriculture town in Chatham County. The town was a mid-way stop on the tracks between the cities of Greensboro and Sanford. The Norfolk Southern Railway took over the operation in the early 1900s and from the mid-1920s – 30s, passenger service was added to the line. Rail service was discontinued at the depot in the 1950s.
“After we raise enough money to move the depot to our rail yard, we plan to restore the building to what it would have looked like in the 1950s by using typical Norfolk Southern Railroad paint colors from that time period on the exterior and leaving the two ‘Goldston’ signs currently on the building,” said Duerst.
During the Nov. 8 ride day, visitors will have the opportunity to become a Friend of the Goldston Depot at various donation levels. For their donation, they’ll get a hat, t-shirt and handcrafted stoneware mug with the depot depicted on them. Everyone who makes a donation will receive a certificate of appreciation and stay up-to-date on the depot’s move and restoration with a newsletter.
Tickets are $7 – $15 for adults, seniors (60+) and children (2-12). Trains will depart at 11 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3 p.m. A portion of the ticket price will go toward the depot move and restoration. All visitors will receive a free commemorative hand fan and button. Those unable to attend the ride day can make an online donation at www.TriangleTrain.com/depot.
The museum and railway are known to collect equipment, artifacts and buildings that have significant meaning to North Carolina railroad history. In 2013, steam locomotive Cliffside Railroad 110 was gifted to NHVR from the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, after residing in Georgia for more than 60 years. Prior to relocating to Georgia, the steam engine served the town of Cliffside, N.C., located 47 miles west of Charlotte, and hauled supplies and passengers until it was retired and replaced by a more modern diesel engine in 1962. NCRM is currently restoring the locomotive so it can operate on the 8-mile round trip track used for ride days. Both the depot and the steam engine’s restoration will be funded through the generosity of members and donors.
“Volunteers at NCRM work to preserve railroad history so our younger generations understand the significance of trains. Refurbishing the Goldston Depot and Cliffside Railroad 110 back to their original glory is a way we can teach others about one of America’s oldest forms of transportation,” said Duerst.
