North Carolina Transportation Museum
Trains, Planes, Cars, and Rides

The North Carolina Transportation Museum is in Spencer at the site of the old Southern Railroad Yards that operated from 1896. The roundhouse repaired steam locomotives from 1924 to 1953. It is located just a few miles off I-85 and has been in operation since 1983. Extensive renovations to the buildings have been carried out since then.

The facility contains seven steam locomotives, twelve diesel locomotives, and one electric locomotive. It also has three private rail cars, numerous antique and recent vintage cars, and a DC-3 Piedmont Airlines airplane in two large buildings and a roundhouse.

The museum has a heritage railroad, which operates passenger excursion trains on a seasonal schedule that last about 25 minutes around the 60-acre site. The trains begin from the depot relocated from Barber Junction that also serves as the Visitor Center.

The facility operates about a dozen annual special events. The popular Polar Express Train Ride operates in November and December. Operations and maintenance largely are carried out by volunteers.

Prices for tours and short train trips are reasonable and suitable for families. Plenty of free parking is available on site. Museum hours vary with the season. Because the facility is so large, it involves a good bit of walking. Fortunately, that is either indoors or on level ground. For those traveling from a distance, about two dozen motels are available in nearby Salisbury.

For more information, visit their website: www.NCTransportationMuseum.org.

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