Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

05/28/2026

Robert "Bob" Jonathan Folsom, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Central, South Carolina, on May 18, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born and raised in the Morgan Park neighborhood of Chicago, Bob was a man of extraordinary range. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Roosevelt University and a master’s degree in conducting from Northwestern University, going on to become a celebrated concert oboist, concert pianist, and conductor of symphony, band, and choir. He studied under Ray Still, principal oboist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and was widely regarded as one of the finest solo oboists and oboe teachers in the Chicagoland area. Among his many artistic achievements, he arranged works by Paul McCartney for symphonic band and classical pieces for orchestra, led an award-winning high school marching band, and collaborated with his wife, Jeanne, on a landmark production of Stravinsky’s Firebird ballet, for which he wrote the arrangement and she choreographed the dance.
After retiring from music, Bob and Jeanne relocated to Clemson, South Carolina. Ever curious, Bob returned to his engineering roots and worked with Clemson University, where he played a pivotal role in launching the Clemson Area Transit (CAT) bus system — a name he is credited with creating. He contributed to route planning, system design, and early management, helping to shape public transportation in the region.
Bob’s lifelong passion was model railroading. From his boyhood bedroom layout to the elaborate HO gauge masterworks of his later years, trains were his art form and his joy. He was an early member of the Central Railway Museum in Central, South Carolina — where he made his home after Jeanne's passing — and served the organization as both treasurer and president. He was instrumental in securing and rebuilding the museum’s location, shaping the direction of its layout and collection, and mentored countless enthusiasts with the same generosity he brought to everything he loved.
He is survived by his two daughters, his son-in-law, and the vibrant community of railroad enthusiasts who were privileged to share his passion and his friendship.
A memorial celebration and luncheon will be held for family and friends on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at 922 Gaines Street, Central, South Carolina, followed by an open house and tour of his model railroad.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Central Railway Model & Historical Association. www.crmha.org

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend, Bob Folsom

Bob was a truly great guy — a friend to all, and quite simply the most knowledgeable railroad mentor many of us have ever known. His stories, wisdom, and passion for railroading enriched everyone fortunate enough to spend time with him.

For many years, our museum family had the honor and blessing of spending meaningful time with him. Those times brought so much joy, laughter, and connection. We are heartbroken that he is gone too soon, and we will miss him dearly.

Bob was surrounded by love in his final moments, with Robyn, Frosty, and Chris by his side. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this difficult time.

Thank you, Bob, for sharing your life, your knowledge, and your friendship with us. You will always hold a special place in the heart of our museum and everyone who knew you.

Rest in peace, dear friend.

Please leave your favorite memories or photos of Bob in the comments below

With gratitude and heavy hearts,
The CRMHA museum

05/02/2026

Hey folks! Another fantastic day at the CRMHA, the Central Railway Museum. Lots of visitors, tons of happy faces, and everyone learning about our railroad history.

Here’s a fun one that happened today: a visitor asked if the Suds Bucket scene on our layout was based on a real place in Brevard. So we asked Grok, and it replied, ‘There’s no Suds Bucket in Brevard, North Carolina, but if you visit the Central Railway Model and Historical Association’s Railroad Museum, you’ll find a scene depicting that fictional establishment on their layout.

So feel free to use at least the Grok AI tool to ask questions about our museum layout and let us know what you find!

Come see it for yourself! Visit us online at www.crmha.org!

04/30/2026

Hey everyone, this morning was pure train magic! We were at the museum when we suddenly heard a train rolling by. We look out the window and see three flatbeds carrying old passenger cars roll by!
A few of us took off running down the road, maybe a mile or so, and caught up just in time. The train had stopped, so we got an amazing close look while they were holding for some double stacks to pass in Central, SC.
These vintage passenger cars were wrapped for protection… incredible… but man… we were a little jealous too! Would love to bring a few of these beauties home to our place to put on display!
Check out the video! What’s the coolest piece of rail history you’ve ever stumbled across?

04/29/2026

Had a great showing for our Operations session for our members last night, didn’t get as many photos as I’d like, but here’s a shot Of Christopher working the Red Fox route. Our Bud car stopped at the Seneca depot. You can see Dylan in the background as he was working the Crescent on his way back to the Peachtree station for his last stop of the night.

04/27/2026

Celebrating Our Dedicated Curator, Jack Green
We are delighted to highlight the outstanding work of Jack Green, Curator of the Central Railway Museum since 2009. Jack’s passion for railway history and his commitment to engaging with visitors have long been the heart of the museum.
Last month, Ken Smith of the popular YouTube channel “Old Guy Having Fun with Trains” visited the Central Railway Museum in Central, South Carolina. During this visit, Jack drew upon his extensive experience as former Public Affairs Officer of the Naval Historical Center in Washington, DC, to deliver an excellent on-camera presentation. In the museum world, this engaging style of guiding visitors through exhibits is known as “interpretation,” and Jack does it with exceptional skill and enthusiasm.
We extend our sincere thanks to Ken Smith and “Old Guy Having Fun with Trains” for creating this wonderful video and for shining a spotlight on our museum. Your work brings railway history to life for a wide audience and helps preserve and share these important stories.
📺 Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/khnT_-lvjy4?si=jPo2CQMjNqMtLvqw
You can find Jack at the Central Railway Museum most Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, where he warmly greets visitors and shares fascinating insights into the museum’s exhibits. We encourage everyone in the Upstate and beyond to stop by and experience the museum for themselves.
Thank you, Jack, for your many years of dedicated service and for representing the Central Railway Museum so professionally!

11 likes, 1 comment. "I Got a PRIVATE Tour of a 1958 Model Railroad… You Won’t Believe the Size and the Detail!"