POWERGRAMS

enough to last all day for the more interested parties visiting HDRM. The museum, for instance, is housed in the century-old Wilton Depot that was moved 13 miles to Calera in 1984. Packed into the small building filled with exhibits and relics is a map showing the original Alabama Mineral Railroad (AMRR) line and all of the stations prior to the AMRR's discontinuation. The HDRM owns approximately 11 miles of the former rail line tracks, and uses 5.7 miles to provide a variety of excursions throughout the year. "It must have been quite an operation in its day," says Garnett. "I'd love to have seen it." Another original railroad building moved to the museum is the Woodlawn Depot built in 1904 that houses more than 1,400 books, 1,100 DVDs, CDs and videos, periodicals dating to the 1930s, company magazines dating to 1910, and thousands of other important railroad memorabilia. Nearby in Clark Yard stands a U.S. Air Force Guard railcar filled with technical manuals and materials. Alongside the library stand many cars ranging from the U.S. Mail, Norfolk & Western, Southern, Woodward, Heart of Dixie and many other railroad companies, including Alabama Power cars that once carried coal to produce power at generating plants. There's a 1937 Birmingham Southern locomotive which has been recently restored cosmetically on display. Under an expansive, protective shed stands one of few planetary dome cars remaining. The Frisco 1067 is the oldest passenger car on site. Nearby is a Long Island air- conditioned commuter car from the 1970s. These railroad cars are alongside the Signal Gardens, a collection of old steel street crossing signs that can be operated by visitors. About 45,000 people visit HDRM annually, but the biggest attraction is the opportunity to step onto a real train and take a ride. Garnett says there is something special about riding an open car with the wind blowing through one's hair, but there's nothing wrong with watching the countryside go by inside air-conditioned accommodations either. Nearly a third of the annual museum attendance comes from the North Polar Express, which takes children "to the top of the world" where they meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves for milk and cookies, sing holiday songs and hear a Christmas story. "It's the one thing we're most proud of," Garnett says. "We really don't have to do any advertising. We're essentially sold out by the first date in November." One reality of the success of the North Polar Express and similar top-ticket-sellers, such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Peter Cottontail and Pumpkin Patch express rides, and Wild West Day, is that those events require lots of manpower. The HDRM can't meet its financial needs without volunteers and memberships because expenses are astronomical: recently painting rusting railcars cost more than $200,000. "Trying to maintain a railroad museum is an expensive proposition. This is pretty much an all-volunteer organization," Garnett says. "It's different from museums that have endowments, with people reaching deep to provide significant donations. Our fundraising is primarily having the trains run every Saturday and having special events." Mr. and Mrs. Claus greet children on the Polar Express.

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