Tweetsie RR Victim of Fire (Mar 17 2008)

[GAURC]

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A fire on St. Patrick's Day destroyed the museum and gift shop of the Tweetsie Railroad near Boone, North Carolina.

The one-story wood building - believed to be an original train depot - was consumed with flames fanned by high winds, said Blowing Rock firefighter Mark Winston Lawrence.

"There was nothing we could do to save it," he said. Firefighters from Boone and Blowing Rock spent more than three hours extinguishing the fire that also caused minimal heat damage to a second building about 10 feet away that houses restrooms.

The museum was one of many attractions at the old fashioned park that celebrates the Tweetsie Railroad, which used to run between Boone and Johnson City, Tenn. The 1,300 square-foot building, which also housed a first-aid center and concession stand, was moved from Boone to the park in 1954, Lawrence said.

Flames roared through the museum, burning history with it. Today there was nothing left of train timetables, old railroad lanterns and the initialized boots and leather saddle once owned by the late Fred Kirby - a gun-toting, singing cowboy who was a Charlotte television personality and hosted a kids show in the 1960s. - Charlotte Observer

*We have sent our condolences to the staff at Tweetsie for their great loss... the address is [e-mail]

~Rick

Received: Mar 21 2008

Rick Goodell:
 
Thank you for taking the time to write.
 
We have enjoyed an outpouring of support from rail fans and friends everywhere, and that part is certainly gratifying. It's good to know that Tweetsie has so many supporters all across the nation. I appreciate your sincere concern, and your kind words about our attraction. Best wishes, and I hope you'll have the opportunity to visit us this season.
 
Chris Robbins
 
Chris Robbins, President
Tweetsie Railroad Inc.
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
[e-mail]-
828-264-9061 x110
800-526-5740 x110

[SilverSpike]

That is too sad! Went there many moons ago with my parents as a young child and we had a great time. From the photo it looks like a lot of the facility was damaged. I was hoping to take my family there some day soon as we can drive there in about 5 hours.