Steve's Trains

Video and text by Harrison McClary

In Steve Carr's backyard, under a small grove of trees, lies a small village with several railroads running through it. Carr took almost two years building this idyllic rail town. He laid the track, being sure to use brass rails to avoid rust, built many of the cars himself, and scoured e-bay for parts and signage.

He proudly points to a sign on the back fence. The sign is round and yellow with 70 labeled in bold numerals in the center. He says that sign is a speed sign from an Australasian railroad. There are many such signs around his track.

As the trains move through the village they roll by a church, with cars parked out front. Over trestle bridges, and around curves. At one point they even pass a model of the Mach 5, the car Speed Racer drove in his cartoon escapades. The track is dappled with sun and shadow on this sunny afternoon giving a relaxing atmosphere to the scene.

As Steve talks about his love of trains he describes past tracks. This is not his first venture into building them. At a previous home he built one track and then added onto it. He said that you do not want to add onto a track, it is very hard to make it look right when you do this. He says it is best to have a plan for your set then build from there.

He mentions how, in a previous track, he had a pond dug for the village. Over night there was a torrential rain. The hole for the pond went from a two by three foot hole 4 feet deep to four by six feet two feet deep. He said this was too big for a pond on a train track as it is very hard to maintain around the rails.

Since the track is outside and exposed to the elements he used brass rails. These rails need to be polished about once every three months. He uses a pole with steel wool on the end so that he does not have to be on hands and knees crawling around the track.

The walls of his control room are lined with matchbooks bearing labels from railroad companies. He also has numerous other train cars, including one that carries a UFO. He says he has bought most of his cars, signs, matchbooks and other things from e-bay. He loves to share his love of the trains with his guests and finds pleasure in watching people watch his trains.

Sam Davis Home

Sam Davis Home
1399 Sam Davis Road
Smyrna, TN 37167

Text and photography by Harrison McClary


The Sam Davis Home in Smyrna is a very relaxing place to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. A walk around the grounds is relaxing, few city noises intrude to destroy the peaceful setting. The house is located on 160 acres along Stewarts Creek in Smyrna.





















The farm boasts restored buildings from the old South. There are several restored Slave quarters. The smaller birth home of Sam Davis and the old Plantation era home all combine to create the feeling of stepping back in time.
































The grounds are well populated with large trees, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. It is easy to walk along the split rail fences and gaze over the cotton fields and get a feeling for what life may have been like in the old south.




The Home offers tours that begin with a documentary video of Sam Davis and a visit to the museum. Following this there is a guided tour of the nine room main house and surrounding buildings.
























Throughout the year the site offers special events including Haunted Hay Rides, Quilt Shows, Heritage Days.  For a full list click here.

Sam Davis gained his fame during the Civil War when he was captured and accused of being a spy by Union forces. After repeated questioning he was hanged. One of the last things he is reputed to have said, after being asked to divulge his sources, was
“ If I had a thousand lives to live, I would give them all, rather than betray a friend or my country ”

The family Cemetery where Sam Davis is buried.

22nd Annual Pioneer Power Days

22nd Annual Pioneer Power Days
Eagleville, TN
Photography and text by Harrison McClary



For those who love old tractors and the power of days gone by it does not get much better than the Pioneer Power Days in Eagleville, TN. The event draws approximately 300 exhibitors from across the region.





















As you walk the rolling hills you will see all makes and types of tractors. There is even a Pink John Deere MT and a Ford 1949 8N with a V8 Flathead engine installed. The Ford looks more like a dragster than it does a tractor.




















I found a restored version of the model of tractor I grew up driving on our family farm. A John Deere 430. I spent many hours in the drivers seat of that old tractor.




























Some interesting designs are also seen, including a Silver King tractor that has a front end reminiscent of an old train with a cow catcher added.
























There are also examples of small yard tractors such as Cub Cadets and one blue one called a Pennsylvania Panzer.






















There are several demonstrations of old style equipment in use. Once such exhibit that is fun to watch is the Nichols and Shepard 1927 Thresher. The thresher is driven by a Farmall H tractor and a belt that is about 25 feet long. A wagon is parked along the side of the thresher and two men toss the grain into the thresher using pitchforks. The grain enters the machine and is separated from the straw and the straw is blown out the opposite end.




















Throughout Friday and Saturday there are several events you may want to see. On Friday a Tractor Pull starts at 6:00 pm. There also are Tractor Games, Demonstrations, Skillet Throws and Double Tree events.

On Saturday there is a Parade at 11:00 am, a Kids Pedal Pull and Race, that starts after the parade. There is another Tractor Pul at 2:00 pm.

Admission is $5.00 with children 12 and under free with a paying adult.

Dickens of a Christmas festival in Franklin, TN.

Photos and text by Harrison McClary

Step back to the era of Charles Dickens and his many colorful characters in the 24th annual Dickens of a Christmas festival in Franklin, TN.

As you stroll along Main Street you will pass many of the characters of Dicken’s stories. Jacob Marley is there wrapped in his chains warning Scrooge to repent. David Carter, the man who portrays Marley, has been doing street characters in Franklin for over 20 years, and the Dickens festival for at least 16 years. He says “I do it because its a lot of fun and I love entertaining.”

Of course Scrooge is present greeting all with a BAAA HUMBUG. Mr Scrooge strolls along the streets allowing his photo to be made, but no touching! You may be a pick pocket, or worse.

Further along the road a pair of English Bobbies are walking patrol. These fellows are more than acting the part of police officers, they are members of Franklin’s police department. The department has the consumes made so that the officers can fit in at the festival and enjoy the day while they are working.

Other characters are dressed in period costumes, ladies in hoop dresses, men in top hats and long coats. The ghost of Christmas Future is also seen wandering the streets.

Several street performers line the street. One such performer is thirteen year old Kayla Balda playing clarinet. Balda says she plays to make a little extra money to buy gifts for her family. “Its fun spreading a little cheer” she says of playing at the festival.

Another performer is folk harpist Abigail Bobo. She has played in the festival for four years. “Its a great deal of family fun and it helps to bring music to the little ones” she said. She began performing in the Dickens event because she had enjoyed the festival and wanted to be a part of it.

Perhaps the most unusual musical talent at the festival is Donal Hinely who serenades his audiences with glasses filled with water. He plays Christmas classics by rubbing his fingers over the tops of glasses partly filled with water. His songs are filled with wonderful tones and the music is a resounding success with his listeners. In between performances he pours warm water into a glass, he says it is hard to keep his wet fingers warm in the cold weather.

The streets also have numerous vendors selling arts and crafts and food. The festival is a great place to shop for special gifts, and to try different foods from many of Franklin’s restaurants. There is a kids area with a small petting zoo. There are performances at different locations along main Street through out the days. Carriage rides are also offered around the square.

Rock Island State Park

Story and photography by Harrison McClary

a full gallery of images of the park is located here

Rock Island State Park located at 82 Beach Rd, Rock Island, TN 38581-4200 is a great day trip from the Nashville area. The park has several hiking trails and areas for swimming and boating.

Several stunning waterfalls and cataracts dot the area making it an excellent place for hiking, sight seeing and swimming. There is an old cotton mill and also a small stone castle easily seen from the road.

A trail begins behind the old Cotton Mill and goes down into the river gorge where many of the swimming holes are located. Here small waterfalls drop into deep water swimming holes. The trail down consists of approximately 110 stone steps. These steps are wet in places. If taking small children be sure to keep them close as the steps can be slippery. Once in the river bed be careful as it can be slippery also. Be aware that this area is below a dam. If the alarms sound you need to vacate the area, if water is released it will rise rapidly.

If you go down stream from the base of the stairs there is a large swimming hole with surrounding cliffs and a small natural dam that makes a great place to sit and watch the activities.

As you walk down the river bed you will notice several cataracts. The whole area is very photogenic and makes for great photography.

On a different trail accessed from the far side of the river is a short hike to a pair of waterfalls that seemingly drop out of the side of a hill. These stunning waterfalls make a great

photographic subject, and if the dam is closed a nice hike to their bottom. Do be aware that these are right below a water generating dam. If the alarm sounds and the lights flash you need to exit the water immediately. Water will soon be released from the dam causing the water to rise rapidly creating a dangerous situation. If you take children stay close to them and be sure you can carry them out easily. I was in the river bed making photos of the waterfalls when the alarm sounded. It is very loud. I immediately left he river bed and hiked back to the trail head. Once the water was released the rock I was standing on was under a foot of very rapidly moving water in minutes. I did have plenty of time to exit the river before they released the water from the time the alarm first sounded. Do not assume you have a lot of time, just leave when the alarm sounds.

Rock Island also has cabins and camp grounds. It would make a nice weekend get away as well as a day trip.