I recently wandered to downtown Plano and found myself inside the Interurban Railway Museum.  The tour was free and our guide walked us through the entire exhibit giving extra snip-its of information.  I thought the tour ended but then the guide asked if we’d like a tour of the railway car.

He retrieved the key and our small group followed him.

The guide showed us the post office in the back of the car, followed by a restroom lacking traditional plumbing we are accustomed to.  We were permitted to sit in the conductor’s seat.

But the highlight was a little detail on the sides of the car.

There was a smoker’s area on the train.  On the sides of the car there were decorative plates at each row where there had been seats.  The decorative plates weren’t merely decorative – they were functional.  The guide explained they were match strike plates. 

To the touch, the middle of the plates are worn smooth with years of matches being struck.  The outer edges still have texture.  Details like this become the filet mignon of my photography expedition.  I love details.

Cameras used:  
Canon G11
Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Date:
November 2013