Lee Hall Diorama – Pictures

The Tidewater Division was approached by the Lee Hall Historical Society with the following. Could the Division create a Diorama of the Lee Hall Depot, circa 1920’s. The Division accepted their proposal and Roger Bir was named project lead. The following photographs are the results of this endeavor. The Division wishes to thank the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society and its president, Tom Dixon Jr. for their background assistance with what type of train would the depot have served during the requested time frame. Also, the Division would like to thank those members who stepped forward, applying their modeling skills, to make this diorama a reality. These members are: Dale Ridgeway, George Downer, Gary Brown and Fred Humphrey and a very special thanks to the folks at HD Custom Designs.

This aerial photo from 1937 is the earliest known of the Lee Hall Depot area.
This is the only drawing used to recreate the placement of buildings.
This was the initial layout. The only buildings completed were the Curtis House and Watts Motors. All others buildings featured were for placing.
This is the earliest known photograph of the Depot sometime before the waiting room was added, showing the visible side of the mid-section.
The Depot during World War I.
The Lee Hall Depot is a 3D print courtesy of HD Custom Designs, Hickory NC.
The Curtis House
The Curtis Home was built by Master Modeler Dale Ridgeway.
The Fleming Esso Gas Station
The Fleming Esso Gas Station was built by Gary Brown, retired US Navy aviator.
The Clement Store was built by George Downer, retired US Army aviator.
Clement store employees enjoying a game of checkers on their lunch break.
The sheep are grazing adjacent to Watts Motors.
R.B. Watts Chevrolet Motor Company
Military members from Ft. Eustis taking it easy before boarding the train.
The Clement home date unknown.
The "Clement Home" was built by George Downer, a retired US Army aviator.
Miss Lilian's home as it appears today.
Miss Lilian's home was built by former Division Superintendent, Fred Humphrey.
A special thanks to the Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society and in particular, Tom Dixon Jr. for all the reference materials they provided in completing this diorama.

Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard

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