north carolina transportation museum

This is a great place to visit. You always see locomotives at a distance, but when you stand beside one it is really amazing. Allow about two to three hours for the visit, the neighborhood is nice, and the museum has a great gift shop. There is a moderate amount of walking.

This museum offers more than one would assume. This little gem is tucked away just a couple miles from from US 85 in Spencer, NC and is worth stopping for. Don't let the small signs and lack of advertising dissuade you. The site is comprised of multiple buildings, each unique and memorizing. A stop at the Train Station allows you to buy tickets for the museum and/or a train ride around the area. Pick up a map while there to see the layout and locations of each exhibit. You'll find old antique cars, vintage dairy containers, a motorcycle or two housed in one building, several antique fire engines of years past in another, and of course the trains! The trains can be found in what is referred to as the Round House; compete with the rich history of switching station of yesteryear and current day, side by side. There are several restored train cars including the WWII "Gratitude Train", sent by France (to each of our then current 48 states) for liberating their country. There are several smaller historical displays and short video clips to give just enough detail to move through quickly and keep you engaged. There are several cars being restored, and the plexiglass wall allows the visitor to see the behind the scene workshop come alive. A display of train tracks as they have evolved over the years hangs around the corner from the switching equipment at the end of the Round House. There you will also find cars to walk through, including a mail train and a Koren War Army Train used to transport those injured back to the states. Many of the bunks are stacked 3 high, and as you nearing the exit, turn and face the entrance where you will notice faint holographic etching of men in their bunks (suitable for even young children).We stayed LONGER then anticipated, on our way to Raleigh, but so enjoyed the time that got away from us. A 45 minute drive from nearby Charlotte means... I'll be back and bring others. Whether a train/history buff or the casual visitor, it is truly FUN and enjoyable for ALL!

This museum is a nice little out of the ordinary place to stop. You can spend quite some time walking amongst the trains and learning about all the different types. There is a bit of walking to be done, and it should be noted that one should not go when the temps are barely out of the teens as there really isn't much in the ways of heat going on here (many exhibits are open to the elements). I feel that our party could have spent much more time had we not been freezing (as it was, we didn't get over to all the buildings).If you love trains, this is the place for you or your little ones.

My boy and I came down here two hours away from Virginia. We absolutely loved it. Great displays. Loved the train ride. Prices are very reasonable. Enjoyed the history. Wished we could have seen 611 being rebuilt. Will visit again!

The N.C. Transportation Museum has a very fine collection of 20th Century motive power on hand. The operating trackage and the live steam train are great for children that otherwise would never see a real operating steam locomotive.One of the interesting aspects of this facility is that the museum has maintained much of the old Southern Railroad's Spencer Shops. This was the largest maintenance facility in this region of the country back in the days of steam trains. Up until the early 60s, Spencer was an extremely important facility. A visitor today can get some idea of what railroading was like back when trains were powered by equipment that was practically a living breathing thing and not just a big truck on rails.The railroads built the modern industrial United States, and this museum gives us all a glimpse of what was.

We took our granddaughter and my brother, a train, collector, to ride the train, see the roundhouse and museum, and generally be in awe of the old steam locomotives and cabooses. My granddaughter, 5, was awe-struck when the conductor on the ride punched her ticket (memories of the Polar Express). We had a wonderful time!Lots of walking, but for those with limited mobility, they will tell you how to drive to another parking lot closer to the museum and roundhouse.Your ticket at the train station includes the ride, museum, and roundhouse exhibits. Extra needed to stand on the turntable as it circles around. Bring your own snacks - food is very limited. Senior discounts apply. I suggest going to the Website for current hours of operation; they change by season. Lots of extra things for kids, too, on the Website.In the summer, tickets go on sale for the December Polar Express ride. Tickets are sold out early .

Enjoyed seeing all of the classic cars and artifacts related to Piedmont Air. Old train cars that you can walk through, and for $6.00 you can take an actual train ride.

We visited for the Polar Express and were beyond thrilled with the service we received. The staff went above and beyond to make sure this was a magical experience for children of all ages. My daughter kept asking all weekend if we could just go back!

This was an amazing experience! The staff were so helpful and friendly. Everyone was totally committed to making sure this Polar Express was enjoyed by everyone. The train ride is limited since it is inside the grounds of the museum but considering everything, that was a minor thing. Santa personally handed out the bells to each passenger. The chefs and elves were wonderful. So glad that my family was able to experience this!

They said this was their first year of doing Polar Express, you would not have known it. It was a wonderful time. Every single staff member was friendly from beginning to end. Even the group of people in car#3 were so nice. No pushing or shoving and the adults moved out of the way to make room for the kids to see Santa at the North pole. I hAve a Two and seven year old. Both loved it. I hope to be back next year.

I visited the museum on a cool Saturday afternoon in November. After parking my car, I wasn't quite sure which way to go. There isn't much in the way of signage. I walked past the Polar Express and headed to the gift shop. I had to ask the cashier if there was an admission fee because there didn't seem to be an admission area and you could just walk anywhere you wanted. They did take my admission fee and gave me a paper bracelet so I would be legal. From there I went to the bumper to bumper exhibit of cars and trucks, then on to the roundhouse. Lots of cool locomotives, cars and related memorabilia including a movie. They also had a train ride around the grounds available for $6.00. This is separate from the Polar Express train ride, which is sold out for the year. The "Back Building" houses a mix of cars and trucks which you can only see from a distance. I hope they do something different with that building. It is 600 feet long with plenty of space for exhibits.

Cannot say enough about the Polar Express at the North Carolina Transportation Museum! Absolutely First Class presentation! Great for kids but even if you don't have kids, you will enjoy just the same!Great time and WILL DO AGAIN!

This former Southern Railways facility is worth a stop anytime, but now until Spring 2015 is especially good. For the past 20 years, locomotive #611 has been on exhibit, not on excursion. Its last steam-powered trip was in 1994. Since then it has been housed at the Virginia Museum of Transportation in Roanoke as a static display. With N.C. Transportation Museum mechanics and volunteers acting as the 611’s surgeons, the classic 1950 locomotive is expected to be on the rails by spring 2015. For now you can see this giant engine stripped down and under restoration. While here check out the classic automobiles, a roundhouse full of steam, diesel and electric engines, a large Gift Station and an authentic railroad depot where you can catch a ride around the grounds. No restaurant on the grounds but check out Hendrix BBQ about a mile north of the museum.

If you are a "rail fan" or owned a model train set you will be amazed! I have been to the transportation museum 2 times and loved every minute of it! I have taken the Steam Engineer experience and got to "drive" a steam locomotive for an hour. You can ride the diesel train in the passenger cars or pay a little more and ride in the engine (only a limited amount of people allowed to ride in the engine). They also have train excursions several times during the year where you can travel out of state to several destinations. I am leaving on Nov. 2nd on the Georgia Autumn Special and can't wait. Many of the people who work there are volunteers and help to keep the place running smoothly. The gift shop has everything you could ever want. They have planes, trucks, cars, and tractors as well, but since it is based at an old rail yard, much of the experience is more towards trains. There is some hiking involved in areas that are uncovered, so you do need to dress for the weather and be prepared. Recommend for adults and young children, I think (unfortunately) most teens would not appreciate it as much. Not much in the way of food on the premises, but plenty of restaurants close by.

This museum was great! We thought it was very interesting and worth the small entrance fee. Would go again