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| James B. Duke's Private Varnish
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9896 |
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| Author: | Sloan Auchincloss [ Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | James B. Duke's Private Varnish |
Duke Farms, Hillsborough Township Route 206 Somerset County, NJ., wants to put on display James B. Duke's private car. The PV is currently at Spencer Shops in North Carolina. Duke Farms is a 2,700 arboretum and nature preserve once owned by the multi-millionaire American Tobacco founder and, later, his famous daughter, Doris Duke (1912-1993). I visited this incredible property yesterday, being one of the few visitors to do so as it had just opened to the public this year. Mr. Duke had a railroad spur built which connected to the CNJ. According to a docent, Mr. Duke would board his private car each morning and travel directly to New York (presumably via a connection with the PRR). Tracks are gone, but the right-of-way is still extent. This same docent told our tour group: "Mr. Duke's private car is in North Carolina, and we want it back!" Is this wishful thinking or a demand? I was on a tight schedule requiring attendance at another event so, unfortunately, I had no time to ask the docent for clarification. sloan@auchincloss.com |
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| Author: | dave [ Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: James B. Duke's Private Varnish |
Spencer Shops is certainly a responsible caretaker of the car - it isn't going to deteriorate while the NJ museum can negotiate assuming NCTM is willing to do so. Can't imagine making demands will get them too far, however. Buck Duke et al are a major part of NC industrial and railroad history and a very fine claim can be made for the retention of the car in NC where it can be interpreted with the Duke Power 0-4-0T, the Piedmont and Northern boxcab and so on. Shame we don't have more information from NJ. Just an opinion, of course........ irondave@bellsouth.net |
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| Author: | Rick [ Sun Jun 06, 2004 2:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: James B. Duke's Private Varnish |
Docents aren't always accurate in their representations. The Duke business car at Spencer, NC was not his. Rather, it was owned by his daughter Doris and was named for her. The car's home base was the Piedmont & Northern and it rightfully belongs where it is. However, the pale blue Levelor blinds in the dining section of the car have to go! They are not authentic in any way. bakerst@best.com |
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