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Feature article
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Railroad Museum adds new roundhouse display
By staff report
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East Tennessee State University’s George L. Carter Railroad Museum has added a new exhibit — a 21-stall model railroad roundhouse, turntable and supporting structures.
The display is the culmination of a seven-month effort by volunteers from the Mountain Empire Model Railroaders and features a see-through window, allowing visitors to view the inner workings and floor details.
Inside the roundhouse bay, the light of an arc welder can be seen as miniature work crews appear to make necessary repairs on a model of a Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotive. The scale representation honors the historic Big Boys. Only 25 of the massive engines were produced in the early 1940s, and they provided valuable service during World War II by rushing military materials across the nation.
Details shown in the exhibit include a tiny light lowered into the Big Boy’s smokestack as repairmen check for problems. Sound chips create a variety of noises, including bells, whistles, coupling cars and billowing steam.
Mike Buster, one of the Mountain Empire Model Railroaders members, is credited with the idea for the project and for contributing some of the initial materials. The 70-member organization plans and builds layouts in addition to providing volunteer assistance during the museum’s hours of operation.
The new addition joins HO, N and G scale working layouts, railroad artifacts and related exhibits.
The Carter Railroad Museum is located in the ETSU Campus Center Building (Old College of Medicine Building and formerly the Student Union). Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., every Saturday. Admission is free.
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