The Nantucket Railroad Collection

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T h e N a n t u c k et R a i l ro a d C o l l e c tio n

G i ft o f M r s . D a v i d G r a y

THROUGH THE INTEREST and generosity of Mrs. David Gray, of Polpis and Santa Barbara, Cal., a rare collection of material concerned with the Nantucket Railroad has been presented to the Nantucket Historical Association. This collection was gathered over a period of years by her husband, David Gray, Jr., who died a decade ago, and was a part of the decor of the Gray's summer home at Polpis.

During the years in which he collected this unusual material, Mr. Gray sought and located a wide range of photographs of Nantucket Railroad scenes, including the original engine — "Dionis" — with its open-sided coach; the Steamboat Wharf Depot; the Easy Street vista; Main Street station; the Goose Pond and the Orange Street crossing; Surfside, the first terminus; the Tom Nevers depot; and, of course, the famous 'Sconset station in its several changes. All of these photographs have been carefully placed in frames of the period, making the collection unique.

Among the relics of Nantucket's railroad days he located the first wooden sign for the "Nantucket Central Railroad", which hung over the entrance to the depot on the corner of Main and Candle streets. This sign serves as the centerpiece for the display of the Gray Collection now exhibited at the Peter Foulger Museum. Directly under the sign is a photograph of the Dionis and her train, which was taken by the distinguished Island photographer Henry S. Wyer in 1881. The view shows the little locomotive and coach leaving the Steamboat Wharf station and proceeding along Easy Street, outward bound to Surfside.

The variety of views show the various stages of the railroad's history from its beginnings in 1881, when it first ran to Surfside, to the end of the line in 1917. Photographs of "Old No. 1" engine, the successor to Dionis, and its varied career, as well as the arrival of No. 2 and the several incidents in her career, all graphically demonstrate the years of change. The 'Sconset station, below the South Bluff; the train coming along Low Beach into the village; the scene at Tom Nevers Head during the "land rush" period; the famous wash-out at the beach at Nobadeer; and many other events are to be found.

The unusual accident on the Washington Street line is shown, when the removal of several fish plates caused the locomotive to keel over on its ,

THE NANTUCKET RAILROAD COLLECTION

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side. Fortunately, there were no injuries to either engineer or fireman, and the No. 1 engine was restored to its equilibrium on the tracks.

Scenes of the old Surfside Station; the Goose Pond embankment with the last train poised; the Orange Street crossing; the "run-through barn" between Old North Wharf crossing and Shark Lane; the stock certificates issued, and other smaller bits such as the tickets, schedules, etc., are all a part of the display.

The bell of the original locomotive, the Dionis, is a prize exhibit, as is the original headlight from "Old No. 1". These were among the most sought after relics of the Nantucket Railroad, and were proudly exhibited at the Polpis residence of the Grays.

There are still many of the older Nantucketers who remember the days when the little narrow-gauge railroad ran between Town and the village of 'Sconset, and a viewing of this comprehensive collection will revive memories of what was once an exciting part of the Island's summer life.