While Hamlet may not be a metropolitan city, there is nothing small about it when speaking of its rich railroad history dating back to the late 1800s. Some even say Hamlet never would have existed if it wasn’t for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad.
The Hamlet Passenger Depot was built in 1900, and at that time was the hub of the Seaboard. There were multiple sets of tracks going in all directions on which 30-plus passenger trains traveled daily. It served as a division headquarters.
In the 1950s and ‘60s, the railroad had to compete with the growing interstates and airlines, therefore the railroad needed a locomotive with a dual purpose.
“The railroad wanted an engine that would work for a passenger train and could be used for freight service afterwards,” said Tyree Massagee, volunteer and vice president of Hamlet Historic Depot, Inc. “In 1964, the SDP35 was built for this purpose. There were 35 built in the entire country, and Seaboard purchased 20.”
All of those, Massagee said, were assigned to Hamlet.
“The steam generator was removed which made the engine three feet shorter,” Massagee added. “It was a unique series, a special order. The one on display in Hamlet, across from the Depot is the only one left that Seaboard owned.”
The locomotive, also known as the 1114, originated as the SAL 1114 and was restored to its original name and color once it found a home at the Museum.
Retired CSX railroad engineer Bobby Brigman spoke of the last service days of locomotive 1114.
“Around the year 2000, the locomotive was being used in service in the Hamlet yard. The locals in charge of CSX at the time came to me and stated that they wanted to donate the locomotive to the National Railroad Museum which is also located in Hamlet,” Brigman said. “It was then loaned to the Hamlet Depot and Museums for display. I was the last locomotive engineer to operate it prior to its retirement and subsequent donation to the Museum. It retired on April 13, 1990 from moving freight traffic in Hamlet.”
The history of the 1114 continued to spark interest as retired CSX Senior General Foreman of Mechanical Operations Greg Shelly — AKA “The Collard Man” — told of his involvement in the 1114’s move.
Shelly was over the project of moving the engine and caboose to where it sits now in Main Street Park. It was a major project, as all of it was orchestrated to take place at the same time.
“I obtained a quote to move the locomotive from the tracks adjacent to the old Hamlet Federal Credit Union in Hamlet to its current location,” Shelly said. “In 2004 Ken Eder and his company, Mideast Railroading Services, donated time, labor, equipment and material to move the locomotive about 500 yards. The caboose was placed first, as it sits behind the 1114.”
CSX donated the engine and caboose, so Shelly and Eder went to work once the equipment was moved to the current location.
“If you mention an SDP35 in Hamlet, people know what you are talking about. The railfan community knows exactly what and where you are talking about,” Shelly continued. “The 1114 was restored to its original colors. I had to find the paints the first time it was repainted; I used the model railroad paints. You have to be careful to find the original Seaboard colors.”
Angie Averitte is a retired first-generation railroad employee who began her career in Hamlet back in 1979. She was one of the very few women employed with CSX at the time of her hire and has since held multiple leadership roles throughout her 38-year career.
She came back to Hamlet as a superintendent in 2012 and now continues her legacy as an active volunteer and treasurer for the Hamlet Historic Depot, Inc.
Averitte mentioned meeting the first museum director Miranda Chavis and also told of a program CSX had called Dollars for Doers. CSX would contribute to local nonprofits based on employee’s volunteer hours.
“It was a really good program, and I encouraged all the managers that reported to me as well as my assistant (and myself) to volunteer. That’s how I became interested in the depot,” Averitte said. “When I arrived in 2012, the depot was finished and they were painting and restoring the locomotive for the second time. Hamlet was so small but had enough artifacts to have two museums.
“Someone had the foresight to save the locomotive, and it seemed to have a great home at the newly restored museum. It went from being a working mechanical locomotive to a railroad museum artifact.”
The museum complex, diamond, locomotive and caboose are all popular attractions that are open to the public and free-of-charge. Visitors can climb onboard the locomotive and experience the view from an engineer’s perspective.
“The Seaboard legacy lives on in the Hamlet Historic Depot,” said Jeanne Newton, former volunteer and board member, who also manages the All Aboard Hamlet Facebook group. “Being a one-of-a-kind beautiful Queen Anne Victorian architectural style, it’s the most photographed historic train station in the eastern United States and literally draws visitors of all ages from all over the world.
“In addition, the 1114 represents the Seaboard legacy of locomotives and has always been a fan favorite,” Newton added. “I very much look forward to promoting the fundraising campaign for it to receive a well-deserved new paint job.”
The estimated cost in painting the locomotive with the original colors will be around $80,000.
“We are all volunteers with the Hamlet Depot & Museums which operates under The Hamlet Historic Depot, Inc; a 501c3 nonprofit organization,” Averitte said. “Our job as a museum is to preserve the way the locomotive looks, and currently it looks old and faded due to sitting out in the open elements; the weather wears on it. It needs a fresh coat of paint to bring it back to its original beauty.”
In raising awareness to preserve Hamlet’s railroad heritage, the hope is for the business community, the city, the county, family, friends and anyone interested to join in to help meet the goal.
“In being tasked with painting the 1114 locomotive, we have started a little grassroots fundraiser; Tyree Massagee, Jeanne Newton, and myself began accepting donations in late December 2023,” Averitte said. “So far, we have raised close to $3,000 but have a long way to go; no donation is too small nor is one too large.”
The Depot also received a $5,000 Care to Share grant from Pee Dee Electric in July 2023 to go toward the painting project. Click here to read that story.
“This is a pretty tight-knit community, and there are still a lot of railroad people left around here as well as a lot of families of railroad workers. We need the communities’ help,” Averitte continued. “We want to continue to show off our railroad heritage as well as the city of Hamlet.”
Hamlet Depot & Museum’s City of Hamlet Representative Mary Elizabeth Davis said there will be more in-depth history on the website as well as photos and more information on how to donate in helping to restore the 1114.
The depot has a gift shop as well as the option to purchase commemorative bricks in honor, memory, or tribute. They also offer a membership program called “Friends Of The Hamlet Depot & Museums” in which proceeds will go to help; anyone can join for $20 per year. There are several exclusive benefits that come along with the membership.
“It’s important to remember that the whole premise of moving the Depot started with a grassroots campaign by the citizens of Hamlet which was affectionately called SOS – Save Our Station,” Averitte said. “Had these concerned citizens not seen the value in preserving history and making a place that was available to everyone to share our rich railroad history, we wouldn’t be here talking about raising money to paint the 1114.
“Thanks to those who came before us that helped, thanks to those reading now, and thanks to those that will tell your friends to help support us.”
Donations can be made in person at the Hamlet Visitor’s Center or the Depot Gift Shop; or mailed to Hamlet Historic Depot, 2 W. Main St. Hamlet, NC 28345. Checks should be made payable to Hamlet Historic Depot (note 1114 in check’s memo line).
For more information on the Hamlet Depot & Museums or to make a donation, visit the website; hamlethistoricdepot.org, call 910-582-0603, or visit the Facebook page Hamlet Depot & Museums.
