HAMLET — A crowd gathered in anticipation at Main Street Park the afternoon of April 25 to witness the presentation of the freshly repainted Seaboard Airline Locomotive 1114 and Caboose 5241.
Both pieces — on loan from the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame — symbolize the historical legacy of the railroad in Hamlet.
The locomotive, according to Tyree Massagee of Hamlet Historic Depot Inc, was built by General Motors in 1964 as a back-up passenger engine for the mail trains.
“It got relocated in the ‘70s after Amtrak took over to freight service, then to yard service,” Massage said.
The caboose was built in 1924 and was refitted in metal in 1957, according to Massagee.
Betty Gallo McIntyre
Throughout the years, the open elements had afflicted wear on the iconic pieces and both were in desperate need of a new paint job.
This was no small task.
Fundraising efforts began to raise $80,000, with money coming from various sources, including Rockingham Rotary, Pee Dee Electric and the Community Foundation of Richmond County, as well as donations from numerous people like former Rockingham mayor and N.C. Department of Transportation Board member G.R. Kindley.
Crews from Georgia-based Southern Pride Equipment Painting completed the job a few weeks ago.
Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in conjunction with the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce.
Angie Averitte snips the ribbon during a ceremony celebrating the repainting of the Seaboard 1114 locomotive at Hamlet's Main Street Park on April 26.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
“This is a very important day for railway history, most importantly for Hamlet and Richmond County,” Chamber President Kristi King said, welcoming the crowd.
“We are gathered here today to recognize our rich history and heritage with the railroad,” said Hamlet Mayor Amy Guinn. “It is a history our residents are proud of, as they should be.
Guinn went on to thank all those who had a part to play in the restoration.
Dr. Rick Watkins, chairman of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, commented that the locomotive and caboose “look tremendous.”
“This historical part of the downtown Hamlet area is something we can all take pride in,” said Watkins. “When Cindy and I first moved to Hamlet, virtually every person on my street worked for the railroad or were retired from the railroad. Some started shoveling coal as firemen in the engine, and they would tell those stories.”
Watkins also recalled participating in the first conductor’s call competition during the Seaboard Festival.
“It was exciting,” Watkins said. “Some of those conductors called every stop just like they were on the train from Hamlet all the way to Raleigh.”
The commissioner went on to describe what it was like when Hamlet was known as the Hub of the Seaboard Airline Railroad.
“They had a division office here, and it became a tremendous economic driver for the city of Hamlet and of all Richmond County,” Watkins said. “Almost every troop from World War II that had to ship out on the East Coast came through the rail station in Hamlet as they headed out to defend our freedom. It is a great day that we have to gather and celebrate.”
Other speakers included Chuck Craven of the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame board, Kindley, and Angie Averitte, also of Hamlet Historic Depot Inc.
In addition to the big benefactors, Averiette thanked those who have bought memberships and bricks for the commemorative garden, or just “drop a few dollars into our donation box.”
Mechelle Preslar, director of community engagement for the city, was also recognized for the role she’s played in helping secure funding.
“I’m so proud of the nonprofit and to be part of such a monumental project,” Preslar said of the Depot volunteers. “They work hard to raise monies to create and enhance new exhibits for our museum complex.”
The next project is a downtown mural of the Orange Blossom Special, which ran from New York City to Miami, Florida from 1925 until it was decommissioned in the ‘50s. The Depot was awarded a $1,500 grant from American Woodmark for the mural earlier this year.
“We promise to continue to work to make our museum complex, and our town, the best little town that it can,” Averitte said.
See more photos from the ceremony on the RO's Facebook page.
NOTE: This story has been updated to make minor corrections. 5:07 p.m. 5-1-25.
NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect donations from the Community Foundation of Richmond County. 11:40 a.m. 5-16-25.
