Field Report: The Savannah Georgia Roundhouse Railroad Museum

Click on each picture for a closer look!

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This museum, while much more extensive than ours will ever be, because of its size, was a very interesting place to visit, and perhaps we can gather some ideas for our Toronto museum.
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The site is the original location of the Central of Georgia Savannah Repair Shops, which were closed in 1963 when the Central was purchased by the Southern Railway. After years of neglect the Southern began to demolish several of the structures; but a group of concerned citizens halted the destruction and title to the property was transferred to the City of Savannah. The site continued to remain abandoned and decaying until the Coastal Heritage Society accepted management of the complex. Currently, the structures are being restored to serve as interpretive and exhibit space for the railroad museum and to house elements of the planned expansion, to include the Savannah History Museum and a new children’s museum. They also hope to develop a functional restoration shop for historic railroad rolling stock.
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The above is taken pretty much verbatim from the brochure handed out. However, my personal observation is that they already have quite a collection of equipment and buildings, most of which appears in pretty good display shape. They also have at least one steam engine which they occasionally fire up. Here (starting at the upper left) are captions for the pictures:
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Picture 1 is an overall view of the roundhouse and turntable at a music festival event at the facility.
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Picture 2 is their little "critter" that they use to move equipment around with. It has an automotive-type transmission and control.
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Picture 3 is their model layout on display which is a reasonably accurate representation of the site.
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Picture 4 is a rear view of the roundhouse.
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Picture 5 is the smokestack complex, which is an identifying feature of the site, when you approach it from the city.
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Picture 6 is a sample of one of their display signs, which also explains a bit about the smokestack complex.

For more about the Savannah Georgia Roundhouse Railroad Museum, visit their website by clicking here.

Posting and Pictures by Dave Flinn