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The North Carolina Transportation Museum, Preserving NC's Transportation History
The museum has its beginnings dating back to 1977 when the Southern Railway donated four acres of its Spencer shop complex (including three buildings) to the state of North Carolina (another donation occurred in 1979 when the Southern donated more shop buildings and structures to the state). Not surprisingly, in that same year, 1977, the North Carolina Transportation Museum was set up to begin soliciting for not only historical railroad artifacts and pieces but others was well including wagons, automobiles, and even aircraft. Today the North Carolina Transportation Museum houses a vast collection of railroad artifacts in its Bob Julian Roundhouse, many related to the state itself in some way and nearly all restored in either cosmetic or operating condition. Some of the many pieces in operation on site include Graham County Railroad Shay #1925, Southern Railway GP30 #2601, Norfolk & Western GP9 #620, NCPA Fairbanks-Morse H-12-44 #1860, and Southern Railway E8 #6900 (in the railroad’s beautiful Crescent livery). Other pieces on site include Atlantic Coast Line E3 #501, Seaboard Air Line 2-10-2 #544, and recently acquired ex-Amtrak FP40 #307.
The museum is also always looking for volunteer help with the many various restoration projects they ongoing (right now they are working on Spencer #604 a Baldwin-locomotive steam locomotive, restoration on the Back Shop, N&W Combine car, and a former hospital car), so if you are interested please feel free to contact them to let them know how you can help!
For more reading about North Carolina railroading I would highly recommend Railroads of North Carolina from author Alan Coleman. Another great book from Arcadia Publishing it covers in detail the Tarheel State’s railroad history, and as with all Arcadia books features over 200 historic photographs. If you have any interest in North Carolina railroading you are sure to enjoy the book! Lastly, below is a list of upcoming events at the North Carolina Transportation Museum for the 2008-year (courtesy of the museum). Black History Month Tours Guided tours and educational programs available throughout the month for scheduled groups. Women's History Month Tours Guided tours and educational programs available throughout the month for scheduled groups. W.A.S.P. (Women's Air force Service Pilots) Presentation: March 1 David A. Stallman, author of Women in the Wild Blue: Target-Towing WASP at Camp Davis, will give a presentation on the women who came through Camp Davis in Wilmington, NC.1 p.m. in the Roundhouse Orientation Room Theater. Girl Scout Day (fee, pre-registration required): March 1 Girl Scout troops can earn their N.C. Transportation Museum patch by exploring the site, completing an answer sheet, and riding on an antique locomotive. Troops will also hear a special presentation on Women's Air force Service Pilots with author David A. Stallman. Reservations Required. Rowan Rides Free: March 1 Residents of Rowan County can ride the museum's 25-minute, on-site train ride for free, with proof of residency. Easter Egg Hunt : March 15 A free Easter Egg Hunt will take place at 9 a.m. in the field near the picnic shelters. Easter Bunny Express (fee): March 15-16 and March 21-22 Ride the train with the Easter Bunny, who passes out treats and poses for pictures. A free Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 15 at 9 a.m. in the field near the picnic shelters. Visit the Museum booth at the Lowe's Motor Speedway Auto Fair in Charlotte: April 3-6 Spring Home School Day: April 11 A special day for Home school groups to explore the museum through workshops and guided tours. Reservations Required. Tractors & Trains; Antique Tractor Show: April 12 The Iron Peddlers Antique Power Club will display antique tractors and farm equipment from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Kids can compete in the Kiddie Tractor Pull. Free. Studebaker Car Show: April 19 Classic Studebakers will be on display from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Bring your Studebaker to join the fun. Free to register and free for spectators. Volunteer Open House: April 19 Ever thought about restoring and operating trains? Like history and can talk to visitors? Good with kids? Better at administrative tasks? Then we need you! Current Museum volunteers will show off their current projects and answer questions about volunteerism. Rail Days (fee): April 26-27 Re-live the golden years of railroading with a with a weekend full of family fun! Train rides, model trains, live music, children's activities and the Rail Days CASI Chili Cook-off.
Antique Truck Historical Society Show: May 3 Show features trucks of all makes and models that are at least 25 years old. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free for spectators, $10 registration fee to display a vehicle. Learning to Fly Aviation Program: May 10 Explore real helicopter and airplane cockpits, play inside a hot air balloon, and try your hand in the "Piedmonster," a restored 1950s GAT 1 (General Aviation Trainer) Simulator. Vintage Motorcycle Show: May 17 The Triad Classic Motorcycle Club will display antique motorcycles from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Memorial Day: May 26 Train rides resume a daily schedule: Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; Sunday: 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Go Fast, Turn Left: Voices from Orange County Speedway: May 31 Program by Kenny Dalsheimer, M.A. at 1 p.m. This program is made possible by the North Carolina Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Membership Appreciation Day: June 7 A day full of activities just for members of the N.C. Transportation Museum Foundation. Behind the scenes tours, diesel cab rides, children's activities, and an ice cream social for Junior Engineers are all part of the fun.
Cub Scout Day (fee, pre-registration required): July 19 There's been a crime and it's up to YOU to solve it!Rising 6th, 7th and 8th graders can reconstruct a crime scene, uncover evidence, and present a case in front of a panel of judges. A mock trial and awards ceremony will take place on the last day, and parents are invited! 100th Anniversary of the Ford Model T: August 2 Celebrate with us at the All Ford Show from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.We want 100 Model T's on display, so bring out your T! All Fords welcome, free to register and free for spectators. Plymouth Mopar Car Show: August 30 The Plymouth Car Club will display all kinds of Mopar vehicles fro 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Free. Labor Day: September 1 Train rides begin Fall schedule and are only offered on weekends, for scheduled groups, or during a special event. Fall Home School Day: September 5 A special day for Home school groups to explore the museum through workshops and guided tours. Reservations Required. Visit the Museum booth at the Lowe's Motor Speedway Auto Fair in Charlotte: September 11-14 Day Out With Thomas™ (fee, tickets required): September 26-28 and October 3-5 Take a 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™, a real steam locomotive. Bob the Builder will perform live on stage. Meet Sir Topham Hatt™, see a magician show, play in bounce castles, get a temporary tattoo, and much more. Model train layouts, live railroad music and a Caboose Train are part of the fun. Day Out With Thomas™ (fee, tickets required): September 26-28 and October 3-5 Take a 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™, a real steam locomotive. Bob the Builder will perform live on stage. Meet Sir Topham Hatt™, see a magician show, play in bounce castles, get a temporary tattoo, and much more. Model train layouts, live railroad music and a Caboose Train are part of the fun. Antique Automobile Club of America Show: October 18 Members of the Furnitureland Chapter of the AACA will display classic cars of all makes and models. Free for spectators. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Pumpkin Patch Express (fee): October 25 Ride the train with friendly ghosts and witches,as they pass out Halloween treats. Then visit the Pumpkin Patch Fair at the Roundhouse for Halloween games, goodies, coloring, sidewalk chalk and bubbles. Rail Camp Boy Scout Weekend (fee, pre-registration required): November 7-9 Boy Scout troops camp out at the museum for the weekend, learn about the railroad in North Carolina and earn their Railroading Merit Badge. The weekend fills up quickly, so make your reservations early. War Zone: World War II Off North Carolina's Outer Banks: November 15 Program by Kevin Duffus at 1 p.m. This program is made possible by the North Carolina Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Spencer/Salisbury Holiday Caravan Parade: November 26 The parade starts at 2 p.m., and the street in front of the museum is closed down. Vehicles will be unable to enter or exit the museum between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. due to the parade procession. No train rides are offered on this day.
Santa Train (fee): Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 Santa rides the 25-minute train, passing out oranges and candy canes, a Southern Railway tradition. Storytelling of classic Christmas tales and an ornament-making activity are also part of the fun. Jingle Bell Express (fee, pre-registration required): Dec. 2-5 and 9-12 Children hear readings of Christmas stories while riding the museum's 25-minute on-site train during this event for school and other children's groups. Cookies & Cocoa With Santa (fee): Dec. 5-6 and 12-13 Take a 25-minute evening train ride to the Roundhouse and enjoy a treat with Santa, and hear Christmas stories read by one of Santa's helpers. Limited space available; advance reservations required. "Winter Fever" Train Rides Offered: December 27, 28 and 30 The museum will re-open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday, with train rides running at 11 a.m., 1, 2, and 3 p.m.; and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, with train rides at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
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