With Lombard as Thomas Fetters’ whistle stop, this resident claims six books under his belt, five about railroads and one called “The Lustron Home.”

Even though his degree is in chemical engineering, his interest piqued about railroads at a young age. His grandfather was a mechanic for the Milwaukee Road, which helped him co-exist with this railroad interest. Born in Wisconsin, he grew up and attended school in Charleston, S.C., which helped him develop a lot of his information on his railroad books.

Fetters books, “The Piedmont and Northern,” “Palmetto Traction — Electric Railways of South Carolina,” “Logging Railroads of South Carolina,” “Logging Railroads of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains,” and most recently “The Charleston & Hamburg, A South Carolina Railroad and an American Legacy,” are researched and written with the history of these railroads depicted and illustrated in great detail.

An honor bestowed upon Fetters is the title of official historian for the Piedmont and Northern Railway. His thirst for the knowledge of this railway led to the writing of his first book, and he found enough research to write the books that followed.

He stops at nothing to bring railroad history to us. He recently was put in touch with someone who found historical railway pictures from 1920 to 1940 in a recycling bin with handwritten notes on them explaining their value. Whether or not he uses the pictures, because of that find and his expertise, questions will be answered on railway history that he will record.

His most recent honor was being the keynote speaker for the Railroad Station Historical Society Annual Convention that was held May 16 to 19, 2008, in Charleston. At this convention depot, enthusiasts had the opportunity to see 75 railroad structures during the four-day stay, which consisted of many historic sites and century-old buildings.

His books are fascinating, with photos, sketches and maps throughout the pages. Many of the maps were drawn by Fetters himself and are of great historical value. Statistics, detail, history and stories fill the pages along with a charm of the early days of railways. I could just imagine the steam engine pulling up to the station, but the blood, sweat and tears used to lay the split logs and planks brought me a great respect for the people who built the railroads.

With two more books in the works — a second volume of “Logging Railroads of the Blue Ridge & Smoky Mountains” and another one on phosphates — Fetter is busy with his research, writing and speaking engagements.

A great Christmas gift for any railroad buff would be to buy one of Fetter’s books. To buy online, I went to www.google.com and entered the book names and sites came up where to buy. Barnes and Noble also carries the books and of course you can always check them out at the Helen Plum Memorial Library.

On a personal note, there are only five days until Christmas. This is the time to shop. I usually fall upon some of the best shopping deals this week. Most merchants discount everything in their store.

May you have all of God’s blessings throughout this holiday season with the hope of peace and good will in our neighborhoods and country in 2009.