Just in time for the holidays, the Southeastern Railway Museum (SRM) in Duluth is welcoming the return of Mr. and Mrs. Claus on Saturday, November 16. The museum’s timetable reports the expected arrival of the festive couple on the #3 Local arriving on Track 22 at 1:00 p.m. Track 22 is the museum’s current passenger loading area in Building 2, adjacent to Southern locomotive 6901.
A professional photographer will be on-hand for the festive occasion, offering complimentary family portraits with Santa and a holiday scene in front of Norfolk Southern’s “Tugalo River” between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. After a quick collection of your contact info, they will snap the portraits and send them to you digitally.
Festival of Trees and holiday hours
Santa’s exciting arrival also opens the Duluth Fine Arts League’s annual Festival of Trees, showcasing a collection of holiday trees designed and installed by a variety of community-minded individuals and businesses. This year promises upwards of 70 trees decorating Building One.
To make it easier for more families to come out and enjoy the holiday scenes, SRM is offering new extended holiday hours. Between November 16 and December 29, the museum will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Beebe and Clegg photo exhibit
Running concurrently with the Festival of Trees is the ongoing exhibit Beebe and Clegg: Their Enduring Photographic Legacy through December 29. Featuring dramatic black & white images, Lucius Beebe and his life partner Charles Clegg introduced railroad photography and the world of railroading to wide popular audiences.
Their pioneering efforts over a quarter century established a broad market and wide appreciation for rail photography, leading to its far-reaching appeal in print today. With several prints never before seen by the public, the exhibition has been assembled by the Center for Railroad Photography and Art in Madison, Wisconsin.
Beebe and Clegg: Their Enduring Photographic Legacy is supported by a grant from the Gwinnett Creativity Fund. The 20 images and storyboards were staged by Steve Storey and Ora Ball of the museum and can be seen in the Building One exhibit hall.
Admission information
Normal museum admission includes the Festival of Trees, Santa’s arrival on November 16, the special Beebe and Clegg exhibit, the remaining collection of over 90 rail cars and locomotives, train rides and a walk through the deeply decorated Duluth railroad station.
Tickets are $18 for adults; $15 for seniors (ages 65+) and students (ages 13-21 with student ID); and $12 for ages 2-12 and can be purchased at the museum.
Holiday parties
In addition to the special holiday and photo exhibits, ongoing displays and train rides, SRM also has several unique event spaces and packages available, perfect for private holiday parties. Pricing and details can be found on the parties page of their website.
About the Southeastern Railway Museum
SRM occupies a 35-acre site in Duluth, Georgia, in northeast suburban Atlanta. In operation since 1970, SRM features about 90 items of rolling stock, including historic Pullman cars, classic diesel & steam locomotives, freight car, and even maintenance of way cars.
The museum is operated by a community-based board as a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of the Atlanta chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and receives operating funds from grants, donations, sponsors’ support, and gate receipts.
For more information, visit train-museum.org
