J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "North Carolina Locomotive" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States North Carolina Commemorative Cover postmarked July 4, 1995. To connect the North Carolina towns of Asheville and Tryon by rail, engineer and ex-Confederate Army Captain Charles W. Pearson was faced with no alternative but to build this railroad straight up the side of Mount Saluda in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Regarded by one railroad official as "undoubtedly the most dangerous and critical stretch of mainline railroad anywhere in the country," this route proved to be just that. Two years after the first train negotiated the steep grade on July 4, 1878, a string of tragedies occurred. Between 1880 and 1893, nearly 30 men were killed by runaway trains on this perilous stretch of track. Alarmed by such a great loss of life, the Southern Railway conducted a survey to determine if a route avoiding Mount Saluda could be developed. However, it was concluded that Captain Pearson had taken the only feasible course of action. In 1903, the line was plagued by three more runaways. In one of the incidents, the engineer lost control of his train halfway down the mountain, yet the crew stayed aboard trying to rectify the situation. The following day the headline of the Asheville Citizen read: "DEATH CLAIMS TWO HEROES IN 'SLAUGHTER PEN CUT.'" Featured here is No. 5000, a 2-10-2 type steam engine built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, employed as a helper engine at the rear to assist the regular passenger engine. The track to the left is a runaway safety track, used only in emergencies, which harmlessly brings to a halt any out-of-control trains or engines. Image Size: 14 x 12 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15 in. Unframed. (B15124)