Rail Days bring crowds to Spencer

SPENCER — If trains could smile, giant metallic teeth would have been flashing at every bend in the track Saturday at the N.C. Transportation Museum.

Folks lined the tracks at the 14th annual Rail Days on Saturday with cameras in hand to get a shot of the steel creatures from another era. The three-day event showcased operating steam and diesel-powered trains.

Youngsters, their parents and grandparents took turns posing in front of Steam Engine 604 in its black shiny best. Thousands spread out over the museum grounds to check out exhibits, watch the trains and go for a ride.

Robbie Iannucci, dressed in his Cub Scout uniform, peered from a window in top of the caboose train. As he scurried off the train, he already had his next ride in sight, a mini-train ride for kids.

Robbie and his father, Robert Iannucci, have made several previous visits to the museum. But it was Robbie’s first ride on the caboose train, a collection of four red cabooses pulled by a steam engine.

At that moment, it was the best train ride ever.

“Wait till you try mine,” yelled Ron Linn, the “engineer” on the kiddie train.

How many horses under the hood?

“I don’t have a clue,” replied Linn. “I think it’s a lawn mower.”

“Sir, we have enough people,” barked a youngster from a car in the back, impatiently awaiting the start of the ride.

As the mini-train pulled away, Engine 604 sounded its steam whistle and headed out on another circuit of the course. Doug Andre quickly found a place along the track and positioned his camcorder.

Andre, a member of the National Railway Historical Society from Roanoke, Va., was shooting a video of Rail Days to show the next meeting of the organization. Like many others at Rail Days, he had been there many times before. The allure of the trains seems to grow ever stronger.

As Engine 604 rounded the bend, the cameras went to work.

“That’s perfect,” said Andre, and others with assorted cameras added murmurs of appreciation.

A warm, sunny day provided the perfect backdrop for the trains, the food and a book signing. Jim Wrinn of Statesville, a longtime railroad enthusiast, autographed his book, “Steam’s Camelot: Southern and Norfolk Southern Excursions.” And Wrinn swapped stories with many of the folks who had ties to the industry’s glory days.

Dan Shearer, a volunteer train master, kept close watch over the three trains running throughout the day. Shearer said the crowds were good all day, and most of the trains were quickly filled.

The caboose train was easily the most popular. It was an especially big hit with youngsters, who lined up to wait for a short trip.

While the trains were the center of attention, a sleek black Pontiac Firebird drew some longing stares as well. The 1991 Firebird was part of a display by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department. Jennifer Mason, the department’s DARE officer, answered questions about the spider and its net painted on the hood.

Rail Days continues today, with events scheduled as follows:

• 8, 9 and 10 a.m. — breakfast on the dining car, $10 per person.
• 9:15 a.m. — train rides begin.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Roundhouse, model train exhibits.
• 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. — lunch on the dining car, $15 per person.
• 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. — Roundhouse, Teddy Roosevelt impression.
• 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. — dinner on the dining car, $25 per person.