the raymond f ratcliffe transportation museum

This museum is a real surprise in a small town a few minutes off of exit 94, I-81. It presents the history of Pulaski, VA... its ups and downs (and many fires!) and most interestingly, has a working O gauge model railroad which depicts the town in the 1950s. So you can relate the town you see outside with the model inside. Pretty neat! The museum is right across the parking lot from the Norfolk Southern mainline so you get to see the models and the real thing in the train world also.

This was a very interesting place to visit if you can catch it when it is open. Most of the items that where in this museum came from the train station across the street and the model train set came from a local resident of Pulaski.

Welcoming staff took pride in town history and individual artifacts, including an expansive model train layout of the town. Displays also include two fire trucks from the town's early fire departments, photos of workers in local industries,signage from local stores. Small overall--but impressively well done and attractive for a varied town history collection. Gifts available for purchase include a museum catalogue. If visiting with small kids, know there's a train table for play and a playground across the street.