That Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore

Made a whistle stop visit to the Science Museum of Virginia to catch the Guitar exhibit. Impressions:
– the old train station is a marvel
– just because some guitars are used in dark, dingy bars and honky tonks doesn’t mean the entire exhibit had to be dark & dingy
– the SMVA needs to invest in a good vacuum cleaner or air filtration system (the display cases were dusty, and so were the guitars).

Alternately known as Union Station or Broad Street Station, built in 1917 in the neoclassical style by the architect John Russell Pope. Easy to understand why native Virginians may have preferred the latter name.
Alternately known as Union Station or Broad Street Station. Built in 1917 in the neoclassical style by the architect John Russell Pope. Easy to understand why native Virginians may have preferred the latter name.

Broad Street Station was built as the southern terminus for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P).
Broad Street Station was built as the southern terminus for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P).

Passenger service to the station ceased in 1975.
Passenger service to the station ceased in 1975.

Anodes and tetrodes. An early guitar amplifier powered by vacuum tubes, a technology still favored by many today.
Anodes and tetrodes. An early guitar amplifier powered by vacuum tubes, a technology still favored by many today.

The “Rock Ock”, designed by Gerard Huerta and built by Dan Neafsey for the National Guitar Museum.
The “Rock Ock”, designed by Gerard Huerta and built by Dan Neafsey for the National Guitar Museum.

Leave a comment