BFmodels

BEST FRIEND MODELS

MODEL PRESENTED TO PASSENGERS IN 1927

LIONEL LIMITED EDITION 2005 and 2007

MODEL AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE

MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM
MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE BRANCHVILLE SC MUSEUM
MODEL ON DISPLAY AT AUGUSTA RICHLAND COUNTY MUSEUM
2005 BEST FRIEND CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

MODELS IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
MODEL MADE OF PAPER
LIONS CLUB PIN 1984

Models of the Best Friend of Charleston have long been of interest to the Charleston Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Special interest has been given to the paperweight of the replica that was presented to the first passengers of the locomotive when the replica, built in 1929, made its first trip. The Chapter has been contacted over the years by owners of the paperweight, wanting information about it. Since there was never a record of the names of the passengers in 1929, the information herein represents the beginning of such a record. This information will be updated as new details are available.

PAPERWEIGHT OF REPLICA PRESENTED TO PASSENGERS IN 1929 . . .

Southern Railway System
.

is sending with its compliments

.
a paper weight replica of its
.
first locomotive to
.
Captain John M. LeCato
.
and ventures to hope that he
.
will honour it with a place
.
on his desk.

                                                               Fairfax Harrison
                                                                                              President

     Washington, D. C.
May 16, 1927
" 7, 1929

.The paper weight specifications are . . .

        Engraved:

        Material:

      Consist:

Engine

Tender

Passenger Cars

Base:

The "Best Friend of Charleston" 1830
First Locomotive on Southern Railway System
VAN GYTENSEEK, INC.
@1927
New York

Metal undetermined

1 5/8" x 5/8"
1 1/4 " x 3/4"
1 1/4" x 3/4"

7 1/2" x 1 3/4"

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Charlie Long Family
Alcoa, TN
¤

CCNRHS Archives
¤

Ron Plunkett Family
Isle of Palms SC
¤

Judge Clarence Singletary Family
Moncks Corner SC
(Family of Mrs. Singletary visited the train in Atlanta in 1929)
¤

Carl Pool
Mesquite TX
(Purchased from an estate)
¤

Bill Passman Family
¤

Joe Boatwright
Dublin OH
(Given to his mother by her father)

LIONEL LIMITED EDITION . . .

Seven models of the Best Friend were produced by Lionel in December 2005 for presentation to officials as Norfolk Southern rang the opening bell at the Stock Market. The CCNRHS displays their model at special events throughout the State.

2005

The Lionel Limited Edition produced in 2007 is now available. This model sold out quickly following its release.
Contact the Charleston Chapter
at
bfoc1830@yahoo.com
regarding the current status of the O Gauge models.

2007

MODEL AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE . . .

Smithsonian model built in the Museum Workshop

MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM . . .

Southern Railway presented the Charleston Museum a model of the Best Friend in 1961
in celebration of the 131st anniversary of the first trip made by the train.

MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE BRANCHVILLE SC MUSEUM . . .

photo by T. Burkhalter

MODEL AT AUGUSTA RICHLAND COUNTY MUSEUM IN GA . . .

photo courtesy of T. Burkhalter

2005 CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT . . .
PRESENTED BY NORFOLK SOUTHERN ON THEIR 175TH ANNIVERSARY . . .

MODELS IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS . . .

Wooden model built by
George Harper
Monticello, MN
(Presented to CCNRHS in 2007)

Wooden model constructed to specifications
of original blueprint by
Dick Buck of Greenville SC
(to be displayed at
Best Friend Model Train Show
in November 2009)


Solid gold pin belonging to Willard Branch Charleston SC (Purchased from Carolina Jewelry and Loan in 1985)	Belt buckle and pewter Best Friend model belonging to Ralph Wilkie Charleston SC		Brass cuff links donated to CCNRHS by family of John Smith, train conductor for Southern Rwy. on exhibits of Best Friend


	Marble model belonging to Jim Behling Charleston SC	Pin of Best Friend Stamp belonging to Willard Branch Charleston SC


1984 Charleston Lions Club exchange pin donated to Best Friend Museum by James Bentley

PAPER MODEL

PAPER MODEL available for download in HO Scale