The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum has entered a restored Southern Railway Baggage Cart in the prestigious Virginia Association of Museum's annual "Top Ten Artifacts" competition. Voting is done by the public. Voting begins on Aug. 1 and ends Aug. 31. The Baggage Cart is housed in a permanent display shed on the grounds of the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum at 11200 Fairfax Station Road in Fairfax Station. Information on the Museum and displays can be found at www.fairfax-station.org, www.facebook.com/FFXSRR, 703-425-9225. The Museum is open to the public every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Vote at www.vatop10artifacts.org.
The Southern Railway Baggage Cart in care of the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum dates from the 1900s and represents the cultural heritage of small railroad depots found across the country during the peak of passenger rail services in the United States. The baggage cart has been fully restored thanks to the community efforts of local Boy Scouts and is now housed in a permanent shed constructed by local volunteers. Current and future fundraising will go toward maintenance of this endangered artifact given its age, scarcity and particularly good condition. Fairfax Station itself played an important role in local and state history in terms of regional economic development and as a crucial logistics and evacuation point during the American Civil War." Vote at www.vatop10artifacts.org.