US Military bases were usually heated and powered by coal. This coal was delivered to each base by the train-load US MARINES #110115 is sublettered for Parris Island, South Carolina, a major USMC facility. The roadnumber 110115 is reference to the November 1, 1915 date whereby Parris Island was officially designated a Marine Corps Recruit Depot and training was continued from then on. Marines were first stationed on Parris Island in 1891, in the form of a small security detachment headed by First Sergeant Richard Donovan. His unit was attached to the Naval Station, Port Royal, the forerunner of Parris Island. Donovan's unit was highly commended for preserving life and property during hurricanes and tidal waves that swept over the island in 1891 and 1893. The facility was served by the Atlantic Coast Line RR station at Port Royal, South Carolina. US MARINES #82052 is sublettered for Twentynine Palms, California, a major USMC facility. On August 20, 1952, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Base Headquarters issued Post Order 343 creating the Marine Corps Training Center, Twentynine Palms. Two years before, the nation had become embroiled in the Korean War. As the need for live-fire training grew along with the swelling ranks, it became obvious that more ranges were needed. Pendleton's Marines looked northward, and happened upon the abandoned Condor Field, a World War II Army and Navy glider base located in the vicinity of what is now the main base. The roadnumber 82052 is reference to the August 20, 1952 activation date for Twentynine Palms. The facility was served by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe RR station at neraby Palm Springs, California. Click on the small inset photo to the left to see the level of detail in crisp/sharp lettering and painting! Sold as a 2-car set only.Sold only as a set of 2 different roadnumber USMC Coal Hoppers. Check the RMT homepage - Railroad Roadnames Section for additional USMC lettered trains. |