Southern Appalachia Railway Museum (SARM) hosted an intensive day of classes focused on the railroad industry for nearly 200 area Boy Scouts.
The session's topics included railroad safety, diesel locomotives, braking systems, modern freight car types and many other subjects.
The Scouts also learned how to use a railroad timetable to plan a trip between two cities and better understand railroad operations.
Classes started at 9:30 a.m. and the last session ended at 2:30 p.m., at which time each Scout was presented with his Railroading Merit Badge.
At 3 p.m. the Scouts and their leaders boarded SARM's regularly-scheduled excursion train for the trip to Blair and return.
With all of the Scouts on board, that trip was not only the longest train that SARM has ever run, but also the most passengers that it has handled on one trip.
SARM is a non-profit organization and all proceeds go into insurance, supplies, equipment restoration and maintenance and operation of the excursion train.
The museum's volunteers are dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee's railroading history and the public's enjoyment of the bygone era of rail travel. Anyone 18 or older can join the museum for a small annual membership fee, and special skills are not required, but are appreciated.
The group currently is conducting a fundraising drive for construction of their museum/depot on five acres of land that has been transferred to museum ownership.
The building has been designed and site preparation is underway. A grant for part of the construction cost is in place, but significant costs over and above the grant are to be borne by the museum. All contributions are gratefully accepted and are fully tax-deductible.
The museum can be contacted by writing to SARM, P.O. Box 6756, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, or by calling 865-241-2140.

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