From Don Stark

It was 150 years ago, on May 10, 1869, that the presidents of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railroads met at Promontory, Utah, to drive the ceremonial “golden” spike joining their railroads and connecting the West Coast to the established rail lines of the eastern United States. Belhaven joins towns across the country on Saturday, May 11, 2019, in a celebration of that event on National Train Day.

To mark this historic occasion, the restored Southern Railway bay window caboose X682 will be open for tours. There will be outdoor model trains on display provided by Toy Trains of Belhaven. This includes trains that can be operated by children. There will be displays of railroad memorabilia, as well as music and fun. The public is invited to 125 West Main St., Belhaven, to celebrate the importance of the railroad to our nation and to eastern North Carolina. The hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no admission charge.

The restoration of the Southern Railways caboose is a project of Belhaven Small Town Mainstreet and is funded through contributions to Belhaven Renaissance, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.