FORTY AND EIGHT
LORTON, VIRGINIA
Mr. Graul signed up enough members from Lorton Post 162 and received a temporary Charter in 1982 with the help of Grand Correspondent Jim Burden. It wasn’t until 1989 that the Voiture received its official charter and the name FAIRFAX COUNTY VOITURE LOCALE 1569.
For a few years it was a Voiture Locale without a Chateau and Promenades were held at the Post home of Lorton American Legion Post 162. To this day we continue to make the American Legion Post 162, our home.
One day it was discovered by Harry that the Virginia railroad system was doing away with their Caboose’s. He contacted them and after a few calls the Virginia Railroad system donated a Caboose for our Chateau and shipped it down to Alexandria, VA along with rails, cross timbers, and spikes. To this day the Caboose is located behind Post 162 as shown in the picture above.
Today in the Nationale Organization, it is known as the only known Chateau on Rails, Fairfax County Voiture Locale 1569, Lorton, Virginia. Lorton Post 162 leased the property to the Voiture for $1.00 a year for thirty years. Voiture 1569 spent $800.00 dollars to move the Caboose from Alexandria to Lorton, VA. If you have the opportunity to visit us, you will see a renovation of the (Caboose) Chateau, that you’ll never believe.
Voiture 1569 started with the original ten founding Voyageurs and has grown to our current membership of 40.
Every May Voiture 1569 is proud to be a part of the Memorial Day Celebration. Voyageurs from all over the nation come to Lorton, VA to participate in the handing out of flags at the Arlington National Cemetery on the last Monday of the month. Sunday night before Memorial Day a banquet is held at Post 162, Legion Drive, Lorton, VA for all those who participate in the National Ceremony.
Voiture 1569 is proud of its heritage and its voyageurs. Since the inception of Voiture 1569 we have had the following voyageurs serve the Grande and Nationale.
1990 Grand Chef de Gare—Harry Graul
1998 Grand Chef de Gare—Bob Kaseman
2008 Grand Chef de Gare – A. Dick George
2013 Grande Chef de Gare – James Brock
2015 Grand Chef de Gare – Samuel S. Ramseur
2017 Grand Chef de Gare – Jay Wilson
2019 Grand Chef de Gare – Randall Shrader
2022 Grand Chef de Gare – Victor Graulau Jr.
1999 Sous Chef de Chemin de Fer – Harry Graul
2002 Chef de Chemin de Fer—Bob Kaseman
Voiture 1569 meets the first Saturday of every month at 11:00 am at Lorton Post 162, 8210 Legion Drive, Lorton, VA. All Voyageurs in good standing are welcome to join us at our Promenade.