The General - Centennial Celebration Presentation Piece

[TennesseeZ4]

Going through some old 'memorabilia' and came across this forgotten treasure. When I was twelve, my father was the Mayor of Athens TN. The L&N Railroad had completed a restoration of the locomotive The General which was central to the Andrews Raid in North Georgia, ending near the Tennessee line. As part of that restoration, the engine was toured through East Tennessee for it's centennial. We were invited to ride the train from Madisonville to Athens, and my father was presented with this casting and piece of wood.

The 'plaque' reads: This wood, part of the "General" during the Andrews Raid April 12th 1862, was removed by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in 1961 as the engine was restored for a centennial celebration of the raid.

I may present it to the General museum in Kennesaw, or the Tennessee State Museum. Gotta noodle on that one, but I still recall that train ride; the horse hair stuffed seats, the coal smoke coming in the open windows and looking out the window to see the smoke rising from the engine. Magical to a twelve year old, and still magical today, even with a missing head lamp and repaired smoke stack.

 

[Lubliner]

That is a nice little souvenir @TennesseeZ4. My family visited Chattanooga in 1965 and we rode the incline railway up to Rock City. I was eleven at the time, so I know the fascination in the mind of a child. Good luck with your endeavor.
Lubliner.

 

[G Low]

I had family members that worked for the RR on the route of the General. They were telegraph operators. Here are some of his union cards and railway Loved trains all my life. General in Chattanooga and kenesaw. The last looks like my grandfather in the 60's.

 

[G Low]

I had family members that worked for the RR on the route of the General. They were telegraph operators. Here are some of his union cards and railway Loved trains all my life. General in Chattanooga and kenesaw. The last looks like my grandfather in the 60's.

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This last picture reminds me of stories of dad, grand dad going to my great grandfather's depot in Barnet Ga. On Sunday to

straighten out his books. It has hung in the depot, my grandfathers house and dad's many houses.now my house By the end of his career daddy had over 45 years seniority . He told the workers in Savannah depot he shut down every single office he has been. This last sketch is from Social Circle depot. It was built in 1913.