Life

Railroad historian to talk about logging trains

By Bill Moss, Published: July 17, 2014

The Cradle of Forestry will host a program on Western North Carolina's logging train history on Saturday, July 19. Visitors will learn about the 1914 Climax logging locomotive displayed on site and explore the rich history of a time when livelihoods depended on logging trains winding their way through forest coves.

Western North Carolina train historian Jerry Ledford will present a slide program at 10:30 a.m. and again 2 p.m. The program features old photographs of the people and places that are part of local logging history. After each program, Ledford will lead the group on the wheelchair accessible Forest Festival Trail to see the Cradle's old Climax locomotive and discuss its history and mechanics.
Admission to the Cradle of Forestry is $5 for adults and free for youth under 16 years of age. The Cradle of Forestry is on Highway 276 in the Pisgah National Forest, six miles north of Looking Glass Falls and four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 412. For more information call 828-877-3130 or go to www.cradleofforestry.org.