Steam engine, Flagg Coal Company No. 75 Photos by Pam Edwards When you visit the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Fairfield County, you’ll see more than a grand old steam engine, polished to perfection, and restored passenger cars. The latest acquisition at the rail station is a motor car which rides the rails.

Rodger Stroup, one of the dedicated volunteers who keep this facility running enjoys showing off the small vehicle. It looks like a cross between a golf cart and a compact auto, with an agricultural twist – a spray mechanism at the back.

“This little gem came to us from the Canadian National Railroad,” says Stroup. “It has a two–cylinder engine and seats four while riding the tracks. We use it to monitor the condition of the rail bed making sure that no obstruction has occurred since the last time the train came by. Also, it is equipped with a spray line. We can apply Roundup regularly to eliminate weeds and other growths which could cause problems.

Rodger Stroup’s railroad motor car is used for track maintenance. “In cold climates like Canada, the doors are kept on, but in our mild climate, we leave them off. It makes for more room inside and more fun riding the rails.”

More fun is a password at the S.C.R.M. The entire staff is volunteer and made up of a lot of people who just love playing with the huge toys and preserving a piece of railroad history.

Rodger Stroup retired a few weeks ago after a long stint as executive director of the S. C. Dept. of Archives. Now that his time is his own, he chooses to spend one or two days every week at the S.C.R.M., along with other rail enthusiasts. They play conductor, engineer, coal shoveler, and ticketmaster for the groups which come for their train trip into the past.

Photo by Pam Edwards Inside a passenger car. A new display room is under construction for the artifacts which have come their way, such as steam whistles, signal flags and lights, and mechanical pieces which kept America’s trains running.

At present, a coal– fired steam engine is on loan for pulling the passenger cars on their trip into the countryside near Winnsboro. Named Flagg Coal Company No. 75, it is serving excursions on the weekends right now. For $15, riders get an hour on the rails, a view of the countryside, and a peek at some old structures along the route.

Stroup says there are plenty of plans for the future. “A dining car would be a huge treat for everyone,” he says. “We could engage a caterer and offer a dinner train. We’d love to have an authentic club car, too. We’re always up for new additions to the collection.”

The S.C. Railroad Museum is offering train trips this October 17 and 18 at 9:30 and 11 am and 1:30 and 3 pm on Saturday, and 1 and 3 pm on Sunday. The station is located at 110 Industrial Park Road near Winnsboro, just five miles from Interstate 77 on S.C. road 34.

For more information or to reserve a seat, call the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce at 803-635- 4242 or Jerri at 803-408- 0870.