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Potomac Pacemaker

Name: Potomac Pacemaker
Address: North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer, NC, 28159, US
Telephone: +17046362889

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Potomac Pacemaker

Official page of the restoration of the Piedmont Airlines DC-3, N56V "Potomac Pacemaker", at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC

ks of life, almost 30 years after Piedmont's last flight, still recall the airline with fondness and respect, if not love. But what about the little airplanes that started it all? With a fleet of second hand DC-3s, Piedmont brought flight to the peoples of North Carolina, Virginia, over into the Ohio Valley and further yet. Small towns, with folks who may have never even seen an airplane before, found themselves with scheduled Piedmont service. The Route of the Pacemakers, as it was called, famous for its three minute turns and incomparable service. The Douglas DC-3 was, and always will be, the workhorse of the skies, and they ably proved themselves for Piedmont. From 1948 to 1963, they plied the Route of the Pacemakers faithfully. Piedmont named all of its planes after geographical and historical landmarks of the places it served, and N56V was no different, christened the Potomac Pacemaker. This particular DC-3 was built in 1942 as a C-53 troop transport, but remained in the U.S. and eventually moved to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. In 1949, it was purchased by Western Airlines, and eventually found its way to Piedmont in 1956. After the DC-3s left the PI fleet, several DC-3s - N56V among them - were traded to Charlotte Aircraft, who used the planes for spare parts. N56V, stripped bare, was left to quietly decay in the forest, until a second chance at life came up for her. In 1978, the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC, wanted for its display a Piedmont Airlines DC-3, and under the watch of Roy Teer, was restored in Durham with help provided by Piedmont. There she remained as an outdoor display until 2004, when the NCTM purchased N56V and brought her to Spencer. The task of restoring this airplane has not been a small one. After being outdoors, quite literally since 1963, there is extensive damage and wear and tear to the airplane, parts needing the utmost attention, and even total fabrication of new ones. Luckily, the process has been able to be sped up, and volunteers work on N56V the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, and we're always looking for more. Please join us, and help preserve the history of Piedmont Airlines, of the DC-3, and of a North Carolina - and aviation - icon. To quote the famous Piedmont commercial in the 1980s, touting their growth as the Up-and-Coming Airline: "It all started with one little airplane."

10/08/2025

Stop by the Museum That Moves You and visit with Mookie, our resident feline favorite! Don't forget to drop by the Gift Station and purchase some Mookie merch while here!

09/14/2025

It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the loss of a beloved family member of the Potomac Pacemaker, and a man who was a friend to all, Mr. Frank Davis.

The son of Piedmont Airlines founder Tom Davis, Frank was always committed to the preservation of his father's legacy, and always desired to know where his dad's airplanes ended up and how we're taking care of them. He was a supporter of the Museum and a warm, welcoming presence everywhere he went. Frank was always a welcome sight on a work day or just whenever he decided to stop by; his loss is immeasurable.

Our prayers go to the Davis family at this time, and we will always honor him, as not only a contributor to the preservation of our aviation history, but as a lovely person. We will miss you.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Trellis Hospice Care in Winston-Salem, or the Forsyth County Humane Society.

07/25/2025

07/15/2025

Visit Mookie this week at The Museum That Moves You! Train rides are available Thursday through Sunday, so hop aboard for a day of family fun!

Museum Hours:
· Tuesday–Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
· Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Train Ride Schedule:
· Thursday & Friday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
· Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m.
· Sunday: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m.
· Tuesday, July 22: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
· Wednesday, July 23: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.

Plan your visit and purchase tickets here:
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/hours-admission/

07/01/2025

🐾

Our furry feline, Mookie, is by far our cutest employee, and she’s eager to see you on your next visit!

05/28/2025

Consider becoming a volunteer at the Museum That Moves You! Volunteers are the heart of the museum and play a crucial role in telling the story of transportation history for our visitors to enjoy.

Our next Volunteer Orientation is June 21 from 10 a.m. - Noon.
To register contact June Hall at 980-305-6274 or [email protected]

Check out our website for more information and to become a volunteer today at
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/volunteer/

05/09/2025

Mookie is here to remind you to keep healthy - book your check-up! 🐾

🐈‍⬛ Mookie has officially passed her yearly check-up and is in purr-fect health! Huge thanks to Dr. Tim Steinman and the amazing crew at the Animal Care Center of Salisbury for keeping her in tip-top shape.💯

04/29/2025

Why don’t you think about volunteering on the Potomac Pacemaker? Come to the next volunteer orientation and visit with us!

Help us keep transportation history alive and rolling by volunteering! Volunteers provide support in automotive maintenance, aviation restoration, rail operations, assisting with educational programs, or helping with special events.

Our next Volunteer Orientation is June 21 from 10 a.m. - Noon. To register contact June Hall at 980-305-6274 or [email protected]

Visit our website to become a volunteer:
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/volunteer

04/16/2025

Check out our Wind & Wings recap in the latest DC-3 Society newsletter, including the story of our rediscovered data plates!

It's a good read, especially since today is the anniversary of the Potomac Pacemaker coming home to the N.C. Transportation Museum!

Welcome back to the newsletter! This winter and early spring has brought many changes for the Society, and we have exciting news for you all below. Today, we’re choosing to drop this newsletter in honor of Wilbur Wright, the co-founder of flight, if you will. He was born near Millville, Indian...

Address

North Carolina Transportation Museum
Spencer, NC
28159

Opening Hours

Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+17046362889

Website

http://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/

Alerts

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Our Story

The tale of Piedmont Airlines is a famous one, and revered in the history of commercial aviation. On that fateful day of February 20th, 1948, the industry didn't know it yet, but concepts and innovations were about to be brought to the fore by an airline that was only known as a puddle jumper during its conception and early life. The genius of founder Tom Davis is renowned, and people from all walks of life, almost 30 years after Piedmont's last flight, still recall the airline with fondness and respect, if not love. But what about the little airplanes that started it all? With a fleet of second hand DC-3s, Piedmont brought flight to the peoples of North Carolina, Virginia, over into the Ohio Valley and further yet. Small towns, with folks who may have never even seen an airplane before, found themselves with scheduled Piedmont service. The Route of the Pacemakers, as it was called, famous for its three minute turns and incomparable service. The Douglas DC-3 was, and always will be, the workhorse of the skies, and they ably proved themselves for Piedmont. From 1948 to 1963, they plied the Route of the Pacemakers faithfully. Piedmont named all of its planes after geographical and historical landmarks of the places it served, and N56V was no different, christened the Potomac Pacemaker. This particular DC-3 was built in 1942 as a C-53 troop transport, but remained in the U.S. and eventually moved to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. In 1949, it was purchased by Western Airlines, and eventually found its way to Piedmont in 1956. After the DC-3s left the PI fleet, several DC-3s - N56V among them - were traded to Charlotte Aircraft, who used the planes for spare parts. N56V, stripped bare, was left to quietly decay in the forest, until a second chance at life came up for her. In 1978, the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC, wanted for its display a Piedmont Airlines DC-3, and under the watch of Roy Teer, was restored in Durham with help provided by Piedmont. There she remained as an outdoor display until 2004, when the NCTM acquired N56V and brought her to Spencer. The task of restoring this airplane has not been a small one. After being outdoors, quite literally, from 1963 to 2004, there is extensive damage and wear and tear to the airplane, parts needing the utmost attention, and even total fabrication of new ones. Luckily, the process has been able to be sped up, and volunteers work on N56V the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, and we're always looking for more. Please join us, and help preserve the history of Piedmont Airlines, of the DC-3, and of a North Carolina - and aviation - icon. To quote the famous Piedmont commercial in the 1980s, touting their growth as the Up-and-Coming Airline: "It all started with one little airplane."