Roanoke was once synonymous with the best steam locomotives in the land. The Norfolk & Western built many of them right here in its massive back shops. While the Virginia Museum of Transportation’s scope is the broad subject of transportation, with more than 50 pieces of rolling stock, its heart is and always will be railroading.
Choices
The museum is housed in a historic rail setting, the former N&W freight station. Through exhibits and rolling stock displays, you’ll learn about how people got around in the Old Dominion State. It displays steam and diesel locomotives, antique automobiles, trucks, wagons, tractors, and even a post office bus.
When to go
The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday year-round with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Good to know
One of the museum’s prized exhibits is former Norfolk & Western No. 611, a 4-8-4 steam locomotive constructed in Roanoke in 1950. Fully restored to operating condition, The Spirit of Roanoke has become a roving ambassador of steam technology, making visits to different locations. Planned outings for No. 611 are detailed on the museum’s website.
Worth doing
The O. Winston Link Museum is located close by in the former Norfolk & Western passenger station and joint admissions between the two sites are available.
Don’t miss
The Virginia Museum of Transportation and the O. Winston Link Museum are connected by the “Rail Walk” which parallels the busy Norfolk Southern mainline. Complete with wayside exhibits, the path offers visitors a glimpse into the modern railroad world.
Getting there
Roanoke is situated in Roanoke Valley in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The museum can be easily reached from I-81 via I-581/220 South. It is located downtown on Norfolk Avenue between Second and Fifth Streets. Look for the long building with the Jupiter rocket next to it.
Location: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
Phone: 540-342-5670
Website: vmt.org
E-mail: info@vmt.org
See more Southeast tourist railroads you must visit.
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