Here's an Amazing Car, Built 1870

railfan44 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:37 am

Too bad it is so well hidden. What a gem! The photographer presents a good history lesson. I'm sure a few museum lust after it.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=427263

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Terrific car! And Ron included a lot of information about the car's history. The one thing left out though was who originally built the car back in 1870.

Les

tomgears · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:26 pm

You can find this car today on google street view at:

619 Gilley Ave E Big Stone Gap, VA 24219‎

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:42 pm

That's a great find Marty!

I know the photographer Ron Flanary. He's a native of the area, a huge fan of both the L&N and the Interstate. He is a noted photographer, author and artist, and has used his talents for restoration projects like this. What a great looking car! I wonder what the interior looks like?

Ron also did the artwork for the "L&N" E8 at the museum in Bowling Green, KY.

railfan44 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:25 pm

Here's the Street View. Looks a little neglected.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 3:34 pm

But now it is under cover. That is good.

Alan Maples · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 4:39 pm

Ron Flanery and Bill Schafer wrote about this car for the January-February 1992 issue of TIES, publication of the Southern Railway Historical Association. I recall a tour of the car was included as part of SRHA convention activities one year.

Alan Maples

car57 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:34 pm

Interestingly there is a guy on Ebay who has been selling windows from a car called 'Interstate' for ages, he is asking too much otherwise i would have bought the clerestory window for my own collection, but he also has the vestibule vent panel with the car name on it...sounds like it could be from the 2nd 'Interstate' but would love to see interior pictures of the first one.

Mike Pannell

Termite7 · **Joined:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:29 pm **Posts:** 397

Built by Bellinger & Small in 1870 as SC&G #102. In the Southern system it carried the number 117. Sold to Interstate in 1916.

If you had ever see some of the photos of it taken a few decades back you will be amazed that the car survived. It was left to the elements for a long time.

T7

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Termite7 wrote:

Built by Bellinger & Small in 1870 as SC&G #102. In the Southern system it carried the number 117. Sold to Interstate in 1916.

If you had ever see some of the photos of it taken a few decades back you will be amazed that the car survived. It was left to the elements for a long time.

T7

Bellinger & Small. Now's there's a name I had never heard of before. Thanks very much for that info!

Les

Brian Norden · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:38 am

Could the original builder actually be Billmeyer & Small?

I can image how someone's poor cursive writing could be misread to be "Bellinger."

Here is an on-line history of Billmeyer & Small

Termite7 · **Joined:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:29 pm **Posts:** 397

No idea...that is what was recorded in original SR files (Official Car Data) from 1932.

T7

Mike Swanson · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:58 pm

Brian Norden wrote:

Could the original builder actually be Billmeyer & Small?

I can image how someone's poor cursive writing could be misread to be "Bellinger."

Here is an on-line history of Billmeyer & Small

That's quite possible; it does bear a strong resemblance to cars built for the D&RG by the same firm.