This is an amazing photo of the Dixie Diner taken in 1939. The Dixie Diner was built in the late 1930’s using an old H&FRR car by Mary and Leonard Fogle. After several years the Dixie was enlarged by adding a second trolley car to the far end. You can see the kitchen area in the front of the car, I wonder if anyone remembers if they had window service for the Texas Dogs? It was operated by several individuals over the years including Mary Fogle, Bill Houck, Audie and Audrey Moore and Myrtle and Jim Steele.  The restaurant sat on Water Street at the Frederick Road intersection between the Fogle's house and garage. 

The car started its life as Hagerstown and Frederick Railroad Car No 61, purchased in 1917 from the J. G. Brill Company. This was the second Car No 61, the first was destroyed in a fire at Hagerstown in 1917 This was a city car and would not have run on the Thurmont Line. It probably spent its entire life in service of Hagerstown residents. It is a good bet that Leonard purchased the car directly from the H&F and had it transported via the H&F RR to Thurmont. In 1956 construction of the new Thurmont Rte. 15 by pass removed traffic from downtown Thurmont and the Dixie Diner closed in 1958. I hope you enjoy this little photo of an important piece of Thurmont History!