The North Carolina Transportation Museum offers site tours around the ex-Southern Railway steam locomotive repair facility by an on-site train ride using vintage equipment.
Choices
When the museum is open, there are always self-guided exhibits to see. On select days, year around train rides around the 60-acre facility are offered, departing from the 1898 Barber Junction Depot, the museum’s visitor center. Trains are pulled by one of the museum’s vintage diesels.
When to go
There are seasonal variations in the museum’s schedule. From March to December, it’s open Tuesday-Sunday but closed Monday. During January and February, it is closed Sunday and Monday. Special event scheduling usually affects hours in November and December. Verify the schedule before visiting to be sure.
Good to know
The North Carolina Transportation Museum is located on the site of Southern Railway’s principal steam locomotive repair and overhaul facility, positioned halfway between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The historic facility was Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops, named along with the surrounding town after the railroad’s first president, Samuel Spencer. Trains, planes, automobiles, and trucks are all featured as part of North Carolina’s transportation history.
Worth doing
The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest existing roundhouse in North America, with 37 bays and an operating turntable. The structure houses railroad and aviation exhibits including a replica Wright Flyer and still serves today as a maintenance facility for the museum’s rail equipment.
Don’t miss
The museum hosts events throughout the year, including favorites like Day Out With Thomas and the Polar Express. Other popular railroad events include Wine and Dine on the Rails for Valentine’s Day, a St. Patrick’s train, the Historic Spencer Shops Train Show, several At the Throttle experiences including steam and diesel locomotives, and the “Brew and Choo” craft beer festival.
Getting there
Located off Interstate 85, Exit 79, in Spencer, about halfway between Charlotte and Greensboro. Amtrak’s Piedmont, Carolinian and Crescent serve Salisbury, adjacent to Spencer.
Location: 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
Phone: 704-636-2889
Website: nctransportationmuseum.org
E-mail: info@nctransportationmuseum.org
