Just received via donation an interesting piece of local railroad history. Its a trophy, of the double-handled cup variety. It measures 15" high and is 11" from handle to handle. On the cup is the following inscription (/ = a separate line):

"Port Huron/1929/G.T.W./Champions"

The material of the cup looks to be a very thin brass. The cup is dented in places, and the entire trophy has been painted silver with what looks to be an industrial sprayer. My question is this: how common were company cups of this nature? Are there other railroads that awarded these on a regular basis? I know that GTW had a baseball, bowling, and even a football team that played in area industrial leagues, but this was much later, say after World War II.

I'm inclined to think that this may in some way be attached to the Port HUron Car Shops, as the man that donated it noted that relative (and uncle) had worked there, and the trophy came from him. Is there anyone out there that has a trophy like this in their collection, or is this an odd ball?

TJG

Port Huron Museum
tjgaffney@phmuseum.org