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Bids for interior work to be awarded soon

 

LANDRUM–The Landrum Rail and History Museum is undergoing construction and has a tentative opening date of September 9, 2023. 

In August 2019, Landrum City Council approved a resolution to enter into a contract with Capitol Exhibit Services of Manassas, Va., to design and develop the Landrum Rail and History Museum. The museum will be located in the railcar that currently sits on the railroad tracks at the Historic Landrum Depot, near North Trade St. in Landrum.

Built in 1949, the Pacolet River passenger car is a single-story, 80-foot-long, 850-square-foot Pullman railcar once used on trains between New Orleans and New York. The railcar was donated by Ken Ossting and shipped from Nashville in August 2018 to be turned into the museum.

The museum will exhibit a general history of the Landrum area, the cultural impact of the railroad and pre-railroad history. With vintage props and historical photographs, the museum is intended to attract school groups, tourists and those interested in the history of the Landrum area.

“We are excited and look forward to adding to and preserving the local history, and offering another interesting experience for visitors of Landrum,” Landrum City Administrator Rich Caplan said in January.

Platforms and stairs were recently added to both ends of the railcars, and construction on the entrance and sidewalk will begin in a matter of days. The City of Landrum hopes to award bids in May for work on the interior, including new flooring and walls, historical displays and reconstruction of one of the sleeper units inside. 

“I think we hope for the grand opening on Hog Back Mountain Day in September,” said Caplan.