Museum Matters: St. Paul’s talk looks at a Railway Operating Battalion

By Peggy Woodlief

RANDLEMAN —St. Paul Museum’s November meeting will be on the 16th and will feature a program by Don Farlow honoring our veterans.

The following is Don’s synopsis of what he will talk about:

“December 21st, 1943, marked the day of activation of the 716th Railway Operating Battalion. The outfit, sponsored by the Southern Pacific Railroad, began its life at Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio) Texas. The office personnel and the cadre were former railway men. Their job was to make soldiers out of citizen, be they railroaders, butchers, bakers or truck drivers.

“The 716th was one of 33 railroad operating battalions established to support the Allied invasion of Europe. Their work would include repairing the railroads destroyed by allied bombing and retreating German troops and establishing a communications network as the Allied troops advanced across Europe from the English Channel into Germany. 

“This program will explore the preparation of the 716th from the soldiers’ induction to their arrivals on the European continent.”

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Our December program (scheduled for the 7th) will feature the Center Street Saxophone Quartet which you have had the pleasure of hearing at St. Paul on two previous occasions. 

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th at the usual location, the corner of High Point and Stout Streets.