Monday, December 1, 2014
When we started this road trip there were 4 of us. But 4 didn't return. You see, the road to Terminus was very long and treacherous. By the time we thought we were close, our rations were almost gone and I couldn't get comfortable in a new place on an empty stomach. Sure, I had a couple of Lunchables left in my bag along with some Capri Suns but I just couldn't eat another one of those cold lifeless meals. A decision was made. And before I knew it, I was drizzling Stubb's BBQ sauce on the second helping of my good comrades well-done forearm. RIP. You were delicious, friend.
Thanks to his sacrifice, we had enough strength left for the last 20 yards or so. It wasn't difficult to find, we just followed the signs: "'TERMINUS' Sanctuary for all. Community for all. Those who arrive, survive." But when we arrived, it was a ghost town. There was no-one in sight. No sanctuary here. I sat down to weep as I ate my second to last "Extra Cheesy Pizza" Lunchable -our late comrade's fingernails still caught in my teeth.
Terminus was originally built in the 1880's as the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad. The older buildings consisted of a Roundhouse and Turntable. Eventually, Southern Railroad would take over and rename the facility the Pegram Shops (named after retired Vice President Robert B. Pegram) in addition to building a new 120,000 sq ft locomotive repair shop in 1925. At this time, they converted the roundhouse buildings into the motor shop and they served in this capacity up until the facility was closed in 1999.
This is part 4 of 7 from a recent road trip.
