About
The original Best Friend of Charleston train made its first trip on Christmas Day in 1830.
The Best Friend was the first engine built entirely in the United States
at West Point Foundry in New York.
Six months later, the Best Friend’s boiler exploded, destroying the engine.
Southern Railway had the Best Friend Replica built in 1928, from the original blueprints, to recognize the S.C. Canal and Rail Road Co.’s 100th anniversary.
The company was chartered in 1828 by the Legislature to explore connecting Charleston with inland markets via rail.
The replica was donated to the City of Charleston by Norfolk Southern in 1971.
Norfolk Southern borrowed the replica in December 2008 and it was returned to the city after six years on loan to Norfolk Southern Corporation headquarters in Atlanta
where they had displayed it in their lobby until October 2014.
The train is now on permanent display at
The Best Friend Train Museum
located at 34 Ann Street
in downtown Charleston.
Museum is open daily (except major holidays)
9 AM to 5 PM
Free Admission
THE BEST FRIEND TRAIN MUSEUM
Managed by the City of Charleston
Contact number
800.868.8118
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE HISTORY OF
THE BEST FRIEND OF CHARLESTON TRAIN
EMAIL: BFOC1830@GMAIL.COM