Charleston  Chapter,
National Railway Historical Society
Chapter Officers for 2010:


President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
V P Coastal Plains
 Mary Lehr
Arthur Knapp
Peter Buhl
I. D. Smith
Art Giardino

National Director
Editor of Newsletter
Chaplain
Historian
Activity Coordinators
 Art Giardino
Tommy Burkhalter
Carl Young
Pete Stabovitz
Art and Pat Giardino



























     The Chapter's activities include promoting awareness of the history of railway transportation, participating in activities related to the Best Friend of Charleston (including its preservation and the preservation of Southern Railway artifacts once displayed in the Best Friend Museum), excursions, visiting other museums and helping with the functions of the South Carolina Railway Museum that is located near Winnsboro, SC on the former Rockton & Rion trackage.  The CCNRHS were the founding fathers of the SCRM and furnished much of the rolling stock to SCRM, including a dining car and the 1927 Baldwin engine, Hampton and Branchville, steam engine #44 that SCRM at one time operated.
CCNRHS E-mail:
 bfoc1830@yahoo.com
CCNRHS Membership:                                                                                           Membership Application: Over 1900 NRHS members worldwide.  More than 170 Chapter.  Established in 1935.  The application lists the dues for the current membership year.  Those who are already a member of the NRHS may join the Charleston Chapter.  A "Friend of the Chapter" membership is available to those who are interested in receiving our monthly newsletter and participating in Chapter activities on the local level.  All interested individuals are encouraged to join us in our efforts to promote and preserve the history of transportation.
CCNRHS Donations:
 The CCNRHS is a 501-C organization and all donations may be claimed as a tax deduction.
CCNRHS Newsletter:
 The Best Friend Newsletter
CCNRHS Schedule:
 Schedule of Events
CCNRHS
N E W S  F L A S H:
 Post & Courier article regarding Charleston Area Model Railroad Club
Mrs. John M. LeCato rejoins NRHS at age 90 (photo)
Chapter honored to host visit to Atlanta display by Mrs. John Smith and grandson, Joel Bailey
Best Friend of Charleston arrives in Atlanta GA
Photos of 1999-2009 Best Friend Model Train Show
CCNRHS Archives:
 Artifacts

ACL Seniority List of Conductors 1885-1911

Best Friend Blueprints

Best Friend Models

Best Friend Newsletter 1967 - 1999

Best Friend Poems and The Best Friend Children's Book

Captain John M. LeCato Memorial

Charleston Chapter Charter Members

Charleston Chapter History

Ezra L. Miller . his patents . his suicide . his great niece's correspondence . responses

Library collections . Blum . Ellis . Moore . Scarbrough . Stabovitz . Whipple

Personalities . The Gray Bros . O Winston Link . Colonel Elliott Springs . Joshua Lionel Cohen

Pictures and Articles . Baber . Ben Baldwin at RailCamp . "Deezel" . Dotterer . Fetters' Letters . LeCato . Ravenel . I D Smith . John Smith . Stabovitz

Photographs and Drawings of the Best Friend of Charleston

Photographs of SC RR Stations and other Photograph Collections . Stations . Cars . Trains . Cabooses .
Miniature Trains . RR Safety Posters . Charleston Storm of 1911 . RR Gazette 1874 . Album of New York

Railroad Information Reference Data (RRIRD)

"FRIEND"LY  FACES

      Do you have a "Friend"ly Face?  Have you had your picture taken with the Best Friend of Charleston? Follow this link and see if your picture is included or send us a photo from your train visit and be a "Friend"ly Face on our website.  We have photographs from:

     Carl Blum began a wonderful tradition when he put in place the Best Friend Model Train Show in 1999.  This yearly display each November is for model railroaders and it is held at the Danny Jones Armory in North Charleston.  After the 2006 show Carl appointed Mary Lehr as the show director.

     Carl also offers tours to one and all at his home on Johns Island.  He is very generous in sharing his his model trains.  Read about Carl and his fascinating collection of model trains.