Tarheel Telegrapher August 2026

 

Volume 66 – Issue 8                                                                  1 August 2026

From the Brass Hat
Bonsal in July is usually insanely hot and this year was no exception, this year bringing triple digits at times. Then after weeks of drought, the thunderstorms came. A big thankyou to everyone that kept the projects going and the trains staffed and downed trees removed. We did suffer some storm damage to a part of the Goldston Depot roof, but fortunately nothing was significantly damaged inside. A roofing company has been contacted and the roof tarped while we await repairs. We expect this work to be completed this month.
Despite the temperatures, attendance was decent for the month. On Steam Shop Saturday, 240 riders came out under threatening skies to look at the Engine #17 rebuild project, chat with steam crew members and learn something about the locomotive. By rough count from crew, over 100 visitors checked out the exhibit! There were several happy young visitors that watched a video and got a close up look at a steam locomotive. The crew rigged up the throttle to demonstrate how the mechanism works. These interactions hopefully turn into train supporters and enthusiasts, maybe even a few future volunteers. It was a great event to raise visibility for the #17 rebuild.
In August in addition to the regular weekday rides, we look forward First Responders Day on the 8th and on August 13th a special ride to commemorate the 100th birthday of our popular Aberdeen and Rockfish caboose #308. The star of the day is #308 but our Seaboard #5228 is also turning 100, the two cabooses having both been built for the Seaboard Airline Railroad around the same time. We are fortunate to have three wooden cabooses in our collection.
I am also pleased to see our newer members coming out to help with the weekend trains. If you have not introduced yourself, take some time to get to know them. We are a labor heavy operation and it takes a steady flow of new folks to keep everything going.
Finally, it does not seem possible, but board elections are coming around again. Look for announcements regarding dates and procedures. Thank you to Kyle Obermiller for volunteering to be election chair for this year.
That’s all for this month. As always, thank you for what you do for our museum!
-John
John Morck, President, NCRM

Get to Know a Member – by Tom Hutchinson

Name: Alan Servas

How long have you been a member? Since July 2021

Where are you originally from? For the first 8 years of my life I lived in Poughkeepsie, NY. My Family moved to North Carolina in 1966 as part of first wave of Northerners migrating to Cary. At that time Cary had only 2 stop lights…both on Chatham Street.

What was your job in real life? I worked 36 years as a software engineer for IBM. My entire career I worked on the software products that connected a mainframe to computer networks.

Where do you live now (City & State only)? Chapel Hill, NC

Any family…Spouse, Kids, grandkids? My wife, Wendy, and son, Adam (the Halloween train’s gravedigger!)

How did you become interested in trains? Growing up in Cary, I lived close to the SAL and Southern railways. Falling asleep at night I could hear the trains’ horns as they traveled between Cary and Raleigh. I was also stopped many times at RR crossings. Sitting there I would study the engines and rolling stock. During college I would travel on multiple routes between Cary and Chapel Hill. While doing this I would cross over Southern, Durham Southern and a railway running between Durham and Duncan, NC. What is now the American Tobacco Trail at that time had rails, RR crossing signs, and bridges.

How did you learn about the New Hope Valley Railway? I don’t exactly remember. In November, 2003 we brought our 2-year-old son to the New Hope Valley Railway. It was cold so a very kind conductor let us ride in the caboose which had a hot stove. (I am still searching for that kind conductor to thank him.) Over the years we would visit the NHV on non-ride days. In 2021, after isolation during Covid 19, my son wanted to get involved with people. We dropped by the NHV one day and filled out membership forms.

What has been your favorite activity at the New Hope Valley Railway? Working on the Garden Railroad. That includes improving, repairing and running the layout.

If you do not receive the operating crew calls, please contact the crew caller Kevin if you are interested in participating in train operations! We need all the help we can get to keep the trains running safely.

WHERE ARE YOU?
Just a quick reminder from your friendly editor: If you move to a new mailing address or change your email address, PLEASE let the Membership Committee know as soon as possible! Tom or Luke 

Welcome to new members Jeremy Portzer, Richard and Jana Campana (family membership), Nancy and Lenny Shupe (family membership), Nat and Lilly MacNell, Warren Pendergast, Kevin Drake and Kerstine McNeill.
Current members, please welcome anyone you don’t know and make them feel at home. Explain what you do for the Museum and teach them how it is done so they get a feel for things. Start their training early!

Wednesday Crew: Don’t forget to throw a buck or two in the Tip Jar when we have meals on those certain Wednesdays. For those who might not know, Wednesday Crew lunch food is paid for by the partaking members of the Wednesday Crew, not the Museum (but for the Annual Membership Meeting meal is funded by the Museum budget for all members to enjoy). Thanks to Cindy Grau for cooking for us so often too!

NC State Fair is Approaching – Volunteers Needed – by Tom Hutchinson
The 2026 North Carolina State Fair will be held from October 15-25, 2026. For many years, the New Hope Valley Railway has operated a garden railway in the Horticulture section of the fair. Given the timing of the Fair, this is a prime opportunity to advertise our Halloween and Christmas rides which generate a substantial portion of our annual revenue.

Volunteers are needed to staff the garden railway again this year.

Tom will be contacting last year’s volunteers and start assembling the schedule during the next week. If you did not volunteer last year and are interested in volunteering this year, or if you have any questions, please contact Tom Hutchinson as soon as possible and you will be added to our email communications regarding our Fair display.

2026 Board of Directors Elections – by Kyle Obermiller
Fall also means it’s time for the annual Board of Directors elections. This year, three board seats are up for election, and we encourage any eligible member to consider running for a position on the Board. Kyle Obermiller has agreed to serve as Election Chairman this year and is now accepting nominations from members who wish to run. Ballots will be distributed later in September and published in the October edition of the Telegrapher.
Any member of the NC Railway Museum who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and has been a member of the Corporation for at least two (2) years is eligible to serve on the Board of Directors. If you are interested in running, please submit a short biography to Kyle no later than September 23, 2026.

Welcome Our Newest Sponsors: Elite Custom Signs and Food Lion
By Marco A. Zarate, Fundraising Committee Co-Chair
We are thrilled to announce Elite Custom Signs and Food Lion as our newest corporate sponsors at the Business Supporter Sponsor level.
At the North Carolina Railway Museum, our ability to serve the community relies on our partners and sponsors who support our efforts to share and preserve North Carolina railroad history.
Elite Custom Signs supported directly the lettering in the ongoing renovation project of our Aberdeen & Rockfish R.R. Caboose #308. The Aberdeen & Rockfish caboose began its life in 1926, built by the Magor Car Company for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad as car #5320. This year, on August 13th, we will be celebrating its 100th Birthday anniversary! More information about Caboose #308 may be found here. Elite Custom Signs is a custom sign shop located in Raleigh, NC that offers a wide range of services. From custom logo design and design consultations to obtaining the necessary permits and completing installations. More information about Elite Custom Signs may be found here.
Food Lion is supporting our efforts to increase our membership during our 2026 ongoing membership drive. Food Lion has graciously donated Food Lion gift certificates for us to offer a new member recruitment incentive to our existing members. More information about Food Lion and a Food Lion store locator may be found here.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome and huge thank you to Food Lion and Elite Custom Signs as 2026 sponsors of our organization! We look forward to a successful partnership and encourage our members to support them!

Donation of Framed Locomotive Artwork from Joe Mills’ Personal Collection
Before the train departed on Thursday, July 9, Bridget Stewart generously donated a beautifully framed steam locomotive print from Joe Mills’ personal collection of railroad memorabilia to the North Carolina Railway Museum. Harold Boettcher accepted the donation on behalf of the museum and its members and volunteers. Bridget shared that New Hope Valley Railway held a special place in Joe’s heart and that she believed he would have wanted the museum to have a piece of his treasured collection.
This meaningful gift will serve as a lasting tribute to Joe’s passion for railroading. Jim Jatko will select an appropriate location where the artwork can be displayed for members and visitors to enjoy.

Rusty Spike Nominations Needed from Members by September 30
Each year, the New Hope Valley Railway awards the Order of the Rusty Spike to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to our museum. Pursuant to a policy adopted by our Board in 2022, ANY member may nominate an individual for a Rusty Spike. A majority of the Board will then determine by secret ballot who among the nominees should receive the award each year, with a maximum of three Rusty Spikes to be awarded each year.

Nominations are due by September 30. To nominate someone for a Rusty Spike, a member needs to prepare a paragraph or two listing the reasons why the nominated individual is deserving of the award and send the nomination to the Chair of the Membership Committee, Tom Hutchinson, (or nominations may be placed in an envelope in the Membership Committee mailbox in the dispatcher’s office). If a member wants to nominate someone for a Rusty Spike, but needs help in preparing the written nomination, they may contact a member of the Membership Committee (Tom Hutchinson, Robert Middour or Luke Sullivan) to provide assistance.

The Membership Committee will accumulate all of the nominations received by September 30 and present them to the Board for vote by December 1. Per Board-approved policy, consideration for a Rusty Spike is normally given to individuals who have been members at least five years, but this requirement may be waived by the Board in exceptional circumstances. Nominations made will be kept confidential and only the Chair of the Membership Committee will know which nominee(s) have received a majority of the Board’s vote until the Rusty Spike is awarded at the annual Membership meeting. Any questions concerning this process should be directed to Tom Hutchinson.

All Aboard for History: NC Railway Museum secures NRHS Grant for Pullman History Exhibit.
By Marco A. Zarate, Fundraising Committee Co-Chair.

The North Carolina Railway Museum (NCRM) has been awarded a $4,000 Heritage Grant from the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS). The grant funds will directly support the development of a brand-new Pullman history exhibit in our 1916 Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) Baggage Car. This project, was combined with two other heritage railroad car projects into the project titled “Voices from a Golden Age – Learning from Our Technological Heritage.”

This project transforms preserved space into interactive, self-guided learning environments. By utilizing the principles of Universal Design for Accessible Learning, the museum ensures the exhibits will be fully accessible to all visitors.

Transforming the 1916 ACL Baggage Car.

The heart of the upcoming project involves a major renovation of the 71.5 ft long ACL baggage car. A 28-foot-long by 9-foot-wide portion of the car will be completely transformed into an immersive historical exhibit representing a 1940s Pullman Dining Car and a 1940s Pullman Sleeper Car.

● The Historical Side: One side of the space will meticulously replicate a 1940s Pullman Dining Car and a 1940s Pullman Sleeper car. Visitors can explore two historic sleeper berths, including one fully made up for sleeping.
● The Interactive Side: The opposing wall will feature accessible learning exhibits tracing the technological evolution of Pullman cars. It will prominently feature the vital contributions of Pullman Porters and passenger representatives.
● Artifacts on Display: Curated display cases will showcase historic hats, uniforms, authentic dining menus, and period travel brochures.

A virtual journey through North Carolina.

To completely immerse visitors in the mid-20th-century rail experience, NCRM is integrating modern technology behind vintage design.
The installation of a large HDTV hidden behind the walls and faux windows will simulate motion. The synchronized screens will give visitors the seamless illusion of traveling along the historic North Carolina Railroad right between Durham and Mebane, North Carolina.
While the larger project includes four distinct sections of the 1916 ACL car, the portion of the project supported by NRHS Railway Heritage Grant is only a 13-ft section exhibiting a Pullman Dining Car and a 15-foot section exhibiting the furnishings of a Pullman Sleeper Car with other associated exhibits. The portion of the larger project selected for the NRHS grant is approximately 54% percent of the ACL Baggage car and approximately 26% of the “Voices from a Golden Age – Learning from Our Technological Heritage” project. Project completion date is July 2028. As all of our projects, volunteer work will be needed to complete the project.

To the left is a cross-sectional view of the dining car portion of the historical exhibit in this restored car. Below is a faux wall and window beside two tables with an HDTV behind the window displaying the North Carolina countryside passing by. Also, the cross-section shown below illustrates the berth on the left side of the sleeper car.

 

 

 

 

The North Carolina Railway Museum expresses our deepest gratitude to the National Railroad Historical Society (NRHS) for awarding us a 2026 Heritage Grant, and for their extraordinary support to our organization through the years to allow us to continue with our mission of preserving and sharing North Carolina’s rich railroad history with future generations.

Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Our Happy 250th Birthday, America! ride on July 1 was a patriotic celebration to remember! The train sold out as families and railroad enthusiasts gathered to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.
Each passenger received a commemorative mini-American flag and a cupcake to mark the occasion. Our beautifully decorated Locomotive #10, proudly displaying its America 250 artwork, was a favorite photo opportunity for many guests. Throughout the day, patriotic music filled the railyard while crew members and visitors alike showed their American pride by wearing red, white, and blue, creating a festive atmosphere that perfectly captured the spirit of the celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

2027 Ride Schedule Approved!
The 2027 ride schedule has officially been approved!
Art Kotz led the effort to develop next year’s schedule, reviewing 2026 ride data and collaborating with volunteers to explore new ideas and opportunities for 2027. Art presented the proposed schedule at the July Board meeting, where it was officially approved on July 22.
Our signature events — Hop into Spring, Thomas and His Friends in the Garden, Track or Treat, and Santa Express — will once again serve as the foundation of our 2027 season. Several events introduced in 2026, including TGI F-Ride Day, First Responders Day, and S’mores and Suds, were successful additions and will return in 2027, potentially becoming annual traditions.
New additions to the 2027 schedule include Brew ’n’ Choo in late July and a Teddy Bear Day celebration, where passengers are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed companions along for a fun-filled train adventure. We will also be testing a few new scheduling ideas, including weekday evening Operate-a-Loco experiences and select Tuesday morning rides, to see how they are received by our guests.
Our featured educational event in 2027 will celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Railroad in April, building on the success of this year’s Working on the Railroad Day. This special event will highlight the history, innovation, and impact of railroads over the past two centuries.
Additional schedule updates include moving Saturday ride times to a 10:00 a.m. start and adjusting Track or Treat and Santa Express schedules to provide our hardworking crews with much-needed breaks during these extended event days.
The Autism Society of North Carolina and Duke Moms will also hold charter rides on the same day in April.
The finalized schedule will be shared with members soon, along with a request for suggestions for future ride themes. Start thinking about creative ideas that could transform a regular Saturday train ride into a memorable family event!

Steam Shop Saturday Success
On Saturday, July 25, we hosted a special event to inform and educate our visitors about the progress being made in the restoration of steam locomotive #17. Most members of the #17 steam crew were on hand to share their experiences operating the locomotive, describe the ongoing restoration work, and explain how a steam locomotive functions.

Although the morning began with heavy rain, the event was well attended. It coincided with two regularly scheduled weekend train excursions powered by our diesel locomotives, giving many passengers the opportunity to visit the exhibit.

About 100 of the 240 guests came by to get an up-close look at locomotive #17 and examine many of its components. A video presentation showed the locomotive in operation prior to being taken out of service and offered a preview of what visitors can expect once the restoration is complete.

The steam crew also had several hands-on exhibits. Using a working model, visitors learned how the valve gear controls the timing of steam entering the cylinders that power the locomotive. They also had the opportunity to examine the locomotive’s throttle valve and pull on a connecting rod to see and feel how it operates.
The event provided an excellent opportunity to share the history of railroading, highlight our restoration efforts, and increase public awareness of the ongoing work required to return locomotive #17 to service. It also helped emphasize the continued need for financial support to complete this important restoration. Some nice donations were received!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership Drive Reminder – by Tom Hutchinson
Just a reminder…as mentioned in a special announcement from Chris Tilley on July 2, any new member recruited through the efforts of an existing member between now and October 15 will result in the existing member receiving one “entry” into a drawing for Food Lion and Red Robin gift certificates. Recruit one
new member, get one entry. Two members…two entries…and so on. Youth members, adult members and senior members recruited will each count the same.
If a family is recruited, only those 14 years of age or older will count; a Family membership of a married couple with a ten-year-old child thus counts as two entries. For more details on this, please refer to Chris Tilley’s special email to our members on July 2. Or if you have any questions, please contact Tom Hutchinson.

Old Floor Gets New Life – The Goldston Depot Project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Month: Debut of the Notable Donation Feature! The story behind the story.