Spotlight: Jim and Lallie Morris

Jim and Lallie Morris have volunteered at the Southeastern Railway Museum for almost an impressive 25 years.

They learned about the museum from their next-door neighbor, who had a business in Duluth. They joined the Atlanta Chapter, NRHS, in 1995, when the museum was located at the old site and got involved soon after joining.

Jim’s first job at the old site was working with Stewart Wilson on track. He also qualified as an engineer and conductor. Jim was part of the Move Committee, worked on the train crew during the move, and helped prepare the new site for operation. He worked on electrical wiring for Building One, track installation and repair, and conducted tours.

Lallie became the gift shop manager in 2001 when the shop was located in Railcar 112. In 2003, she and Jim led the move of the inventory and set up the fixtures and displays in the present location in Building One.

As part of their long list of duties at the gift shop, Jim and Lallie attend trade shows several times a year, searching for new and different items to sell in the gift shop.

Lallie also coordinates birthday parties at the museum. On many Saturdays, she greets party guests and gets them on board the party train ride. She enjoys working with children and helps with tours and field trips when needed. The students always enjoy having Lallie as a tour guide because she knows so much about the trains and other displays. Lallie loves to share the history of trains and rail cars at the museum.

Lallie’s favorite exhibits are Locomotives Savannah & Atlanta 750 and Southern 6901, while Jim’s favorites are Atlanta & West Point 290 and the Railway Post Office car.

Jim and Lallie are native Atlantans; both were born at Emory Hospital and grew up in the North Atlanta area.

Jim attended North Fulton High School and Georgia Tech and is retired from IBM, while Lallie attended Cross Keys High School and Emory University and is a retired substitute teacher. They have two children and two grandchildren and live in Doraville with their two cats.

Both active in their church and Lallie is a volunteer tutor at an after school center one afternoon a week. Jim and Lallie enjoy the mountains and hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains.