Wednesday was an historic day for Apple Ridge Farm and Floyd County as the first of three cabooses and a boxcar made there way slowly up Bent Mountain to Copper Hill. Apple Ridge Farm, which is celebrating 25 years of providing Academic Summer Camp opportunities for underserved children, received the two cabooses and plans to use them as part of a creative effort to market the facility year round.
Peter Lewis, Founder and President of Apple Ridge Farm, has always been a railroad enthusiast and envisioned having a Caboose Bed & Breakfast at the camp and conference facility. With the tourism associated with Floyd County’s music and artisans’ community and the close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the unique Caboose Bed & Breakfast should be a welcomed lodging accommodation.
The cabooses were donated by three different parties: one from Norfolk Southern, one from fellow railroad enthusiasts Percy and Linda Wilkins and the third from Roanoke County. The Roanoke Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society also donated a box car for a future special e-BASE Project, which will be only the third such facility in the world to be built. The e-BASE, an educational classroom that will be powered by wind and solar, is sponsored by AkzoNobel.
The rail-cars were transported by “renowned train mover” and owner of North Folk Lumber Will Harris with help from volunteers from Lee-Hi Truck Stop.
Apple Ridge is seeking associations, corporations, civic groups and individuals to assist with refurbishing the cabooses; carpenters, electricians, painters and anyone interested in being part of this unique project is welcome. The rail-cars and tracks are the first ever in Floyd County, which has never had a railroad within its borders.
Visit www.appleridge.org to learn more or contact the office 540-982-1322.
Visit this link to learn more about the e-BASE Project. https://www.dropbox.com/s/2wddvxv2uwcwnge/Ebase%20USA%20James%20Bray.mp4
