Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum receives grant to make restorations to rail passenger car in Jonesborough

A local railroad historical society and museum is set to receive $10,000 that will go towards more restorations of a century old rail passenger car.

The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum says the money will be used for purchasing and installing an air conditioning unit to the Clinchfield 100 rail passenger car in Jonesborough, originally built in 1911.

“The Clinchfield 100, was built in 1911 by Pullman and served as the Atlantic Coast Lines 985 coach until 1929 and then served as the dining car “Orlando” until 1951. It was purchased by the Clinchfield Railroad in 1951 and rebuilt over the next two years. From 1953 until 1981 it served on the Clinchfield in their use for excursions as CRR 100. CSX then moved the car to Jacksonville where it was deemed surplus. After ownership by several private parties, it finally served on the Lancaster and Chester Railroad. WATX purchased the car in 2013 and moved it to Spencer NC at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Over the ensuing 7 years, our volunteer mechanical team, working at our Spring Street yard in Jonesborough, restored the interior and added a new generator, plumbing and electrical.”

The grant is provided by the John H Emery Rail Heritage Trust, which works to preserve equipment and infrastructure from the 20th century golden period of rail travel of 1920 through 1960.