BEST FRIEND MODELS

MODEL PRESENTED TO PASSENGERS IN 1927
LIONEL LIMITED EDITION
MODEL AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM
MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE BRANCHVILLE SC MUSEUM
MODEL ON DISPLAY AT  AUGUSTA RICHLAND COUNTY MUSEUM
2005 BEST FRIEND CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
MODELS IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

          Models of the Best Friend of Charleston have long been of interest to the Charleston Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.  Special interest has been given to the paper weight of the replica that was presented to the first passengers of the locomotive when the replica, built in 1927, made its first trip. The Chapter has been contacted over the years by owners of the paper weight, wanting information about it.  Since there was never a record of the names of the passengers in 1927, the information herein represents the beginning of such a record.   This information will be updated as new details are available.
 
PAPER WEIGHT OF REPLICA PRESENTED TO PASSENGERS IN 1927
. . .

               
                    Southern  Railway  System
.
is  sending  with  its  compliments
.
a  paper  weight  replica  of  its
.
first  locomotive  to
.
Captain  John  M.  LeCato
.
and  ventures  to  hope  that  he
.
will  honour  it  with  a  place
.
on  his  desk.

                                                               Fairfax  Harrison
                                                                                              President

     Washington,  D.  C.                                                                  
May  16,  1927                                                 
"        7,  1929                                              
                                    
   
.The paper weight specifications are . . .
 

          Engraved:





          Material:

          Consist:
Engine
Tender
Passenger Cars

          Base:
The "Best Friend of Charleston" 1830
First Locomotive on Southern Railway System
VAN GYTENSEEK, INC.
@1927
New York

Metal undetermined


1 5/8"  x  5/8"
1 1/4 " x  3/4"
1 1/4"  x  3/4"

7 1/2" x 1 3/4"

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤


Charlie Long Family
Alcoa, TN
¤

CCNRHS Archives
¤
Ron Plunkett Family
Isle of Palms, SC
¤
Judge Clarence Singletary Family
Moncks Corner, SC

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

 

LIONEL LIMITED EDITION
. . .

         
Seven models of the Best Friend were produced by Lionel in December 2005 for presentation to officials as Norfolk Southern rang the opening bell at the Stock Market.  The CCNRHS displays their model at special events throughout the State.



 
MODEL AT THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE . . .



Smithsonian model built in the Museum Workshop


MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE CHARLESTON MUSEUM . . .


Southern Railway presented the Charleston Museum a model of the Best Friend in 1961
in celebration of the 131st anniversary of the first trip made by the train.


MODEL ON DISPLAY AT THE BRANCHVILLE SC MUSEUM . . .


                                                                 photo by T. Burkhalter


MODEL AT AUGUSTA RICHLAND COUNTY MUSEUM IN GA . . .

                                       photo courtesy of T. Burkhalter


2005 CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT . . . 
PRESENTED BY NORFOLK SOUTHERN ON THEIR 175TH ANNIVERSARY
. . .





 
MODELS IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
. . .













Wooden model built by
George Harper
Monticello, MN
(Presented to CCNRHS in 2007)





.
Marble model belonging to
Jim Behling
Charleston, SC












Solid gold pin belonging to
Willard Branch
Charleston, SC
(Purchased from Carolina Jewelry and Loan in 1985)
Pin of Best Friend Postage Stamp
belonging to Willard Branch
Charleston, SC