There was an allure to the depots of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway. A station on the NC&St.L was a busy, noisy, and fascinating place. People and trains would come and go as baggage, mail, and freight moved back and forth between platforms and trains. Travelers hurried to make their way to their departing trains or to make connections between trains on which they had just arrived and those going to further destinations. 

Terry L. Coats developed his love for railroading in Dresden, TN where he became fascinated with Grandpa's Road and the activity surrounding the local depot. He was one of the founders of the Nashville Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway Preservation Society in 2001 and currently serves as the society's president.

A Graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in art education, Terry previously served more than thirty years as an officer with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, retiring in 2003.