N.C. Transportation Museum

N.C. Transportation Museum This 60-acre site is filled with immersive exhibits & special events. Spencer Shops was a vital link to North America’s vast rail network. Transportation Museum!

Four exhibit buildings represent a rich history of different kinds of transportation including railroading, automotive, aviation, and more. This family-friendly museum is a 60-acre site with interactive exhibits, special events, trains, planes, automobiles, trucks, and even a Wright Flyer replica! Four large exhibit buildings are among the remaining structures of the historic Spencer Shops, once S

outhern Railway's principal steam locomotive repair facility on the east coast. The museum reaches beyond its railroad roots to tell the story of North Carolina’s importance in transportation industry to include travel by road and air. The Museum That Moves You is a source of education and fun for young and old. There’s plenty to see and do. Take a ride on the train or turntable, reminisce about vintage vehicles on display, learn about transportation history, participate in Day Out With Thomas™, or take THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. There's something for all to enjoy! The fun doesn’t have to end there! Consider volunteering or becoming a member of the N.C.

We will be open on Labor Day Monday, September 7, with train rides at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.Our regular hours and train ride s...
09/01/2026

We will be open on Labor Day Monday, September 7, with train rides at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Our regular hours and train ride schedule:

Museum hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 5 p.m.
Closed Monday

Train Ride Schedule:
Now - Sept. 27: Friday - Sunday

Train Ride times:
Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.
Saturday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.

Get your tickets now at:
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/

Cruise over to the N.C. Transportation Museum Saturday, September 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. for the Antique Automobile of ...
08/31/2026

Cruise over to the N.C. Transportation Museum Saturday, September 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. for the Antique Automobile of America Car Show! There will be different types of makes and models present and it’s sure to be a great time!

Learn more by visiting our website at
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/auto-shows/.

🚂 That’s a wrap on an unforgettable America 250 Locomotive Celebration! 🚂What a weekend! Thousands of guests, railfans, ...
08/30/2026

🚂 That’s a wrap on an unforgettable America 250 Locomotive Celebration! 🚂
What a weekend! Thousands of guests, railfans, families, photographers and history enthusiasts joined us at the N.C. Transportation Museum to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an incredible collection of locomotives. The crowd’s excitement and passion for railroading made this a weekend to remember!

A tremendous THANK YOU to the railroads who sent their locomotives to Spencer and helped make this celebration possible. Bringing these incredible engines together was no small undertaking, and we are grateful for your partnership and support.

We also want to recognize our amazing staff and dedicated volunteers who worked countless hours before, during and after the event to make everything run smoothly. From welcoming guests to moving locomotives, answering questions and working behind the scenes, this weekend would not have happened without you. ❤️🤍💙

And a special thank you to our presenting sponsors Trains Magazine, White River Productions, Scale Trains, and Virtual Railfan and to our additional sponsors: Rowan County Tourism, Berkshire Station, MTH Electric Trains, and Walthers.

To everyone who came out this weekend, thank you! Your enthusiasm and support made the America 250 Locomotive Celebration truly special.

From the first arrival to the final departure, this was a celebration we’ll never forget. 🚂

Thank you for celebrating America and railroading with us! ❤️🤍💙

Originally erected in 1896 when Spencer Shops first opened, the Powerhouse had continually evolved, expanded, and innova...
08/30/2026

Originally erected in 1896 when Spencer Shops first opened, the Powerhouse had continually evolved, expanded, and innovated over its years of operation to serve the growing needs of the vibrant rail maintenance industry for Southern Railway. From 1896 to 1943, the coal fired plant were supplied coal by hand-shoveling coal into the furnaces to keep the boilers running to provide steam to generate electricity, heat buildings, supply hot water, provide compressed air, and run the steam whistle that announced shift changes and lunch for the vast work force of the entire site.

In 1944, the coal operation at the Powerhouse was automated to include mechanical coal stokers and coaling tower on the west side of the building. Coal was then delivered by coal hopper cars, dropped below to a bucket conveyor that brought it up to two massive silos that fed coal directly to the furnaces through a chute system. Cinders and ash were collected under the boilers and removed by an underground conveyor system that loaded it into empty hopper cars for haul away.

Some of the elements of this ingenious system still remain, while others were removed for safety reasons and one unfortunate twister that pulled down the cinder tower in 2011. Planning has begun to determine the best ways to represent and document all of the mechanics behind this system that served the powerhouse for over 3 decades.

The crowd is HUGE at the N.C. Transportation Museum for our America 250 Locomotive Celebration! 🎉 It’s been an unforgett...
08/29/2026

The crowd is HUGE at the N.C. Transportation Museum for our America 250 Locomotive Celebration! 🎉 It’s been an unforgettable day celebrating America’s railroad heritage.

And guess what? There’s still ONE MORE DAY to go! 🙌

Join us tomorrow, Sunday, for another full day of patriotic locomotives, history and family fun. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic celebration! 🚂

📍 N.C. Transportation Museum
🎟️ Come celebrate with us!
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/america-250-locomotive-celebration/

The America 250 Locomotive Celebration is officially rolling at the N.C. Transportation Museum, and what a day it’s been...
08/28/2026

The America 250 Locomotive Celebration is officially rolling at the N.C. Transportation Museum, and what a day it’s been! From incredible locomotives and unique photo opportunities to railfans from near and far, the excitement is everywhere! 🎉

And the best part? The celebration continues Saturday and Sunday! 🙌

Come experience this once-in-a-lifetime gathering of locomotives, explore the museum, catch the action on the turntable, and make memories with us as we celebrate 250 years of America!

📅 Saturday & Sunday
📍 N.C. Transportation Museum
🎟️ Get your tickets and join the celebration!
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/america-250-locomotive-celebration/

Don’t miss your chance to be part of history. We’ll see you at the museum! 🚂❤️🤍💙

We're here at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina hanging out with The Female Foamer and our Erie ...
08/28/2026

We're here at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, North Carolina hanging out with The Female Foamer and our Erie Lackawanna caboose C380! Join us today, tomorrow, or Sunday for the America 250 Locomotive Celebration. To learn more about this amazing event that brings together equipment from over 30 railroads from across the country, visit https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/america-250-locomotive-celebration/

Today's the day! The America 250 Locomotive Celebration has officially arrived at the N.C. Transportation Museum! Be amo...
08/28/2026

Today's the day! The America 250 Locomotive Celebration has officially arrived at the N.C. Transportation Museum!

Be among the first to experience the first and only gathering of America 250 commemorative locomotives from Class I, short line, museum, and passenger railroads; all together in one historic location.

Spend the day enjoying:
-Incredible locomotive photo opportunities
-Special night photo sessions sponsored and coordinated by Railfan & Railroad Magazine (sold out)
-Limited availability drone photo sessions
-Train rides pulled by one of the museum's diesel locomotives

Whether you're a lifelong railfan or looking for a unique family adventure, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event you won't want to miss. Join us this weekend and help kick off an unforgettable celebration of America's railroad heritage!

The America 250 Locomotive Celebration is presented by the N.C. Transportation Museum, Trains Magazine, White River Productions, Scale Trains, and Virtual Railfan. Additional sponsorship provided by Rowan County Tourism, Berkshire Station, MTH Electric Trains, and Walthers.

For Tickets and additional information:
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/america-250-locomotive-celebration/

Important parking information for the America 250 Locomotive Celebration: The N.C. Transportation Museum offers free on-...
08/27/2026

Important parking information for the America 250 Locomotive Celebration: The N.C. Transportation Museum offers free on-site parking while it lasts. We strongly encourage carpooling as we expect to exceed the capacity of our parking lots. Additional parking may be available in town but may incur a parking fee. The Park Plaza Shopping Center across the street is offering paid parking through the weekend for $20. Please bring cash.

Satellite Parking Guide:

Additional satellite parking locations with direct shuttle service to and from the museum are available throughout the weekend. Please review the schedule below to find the correct parking location for the day of your visit. Note: Additional parking charges may apply. Please bring cash for parking.

Friday, August 28
• Location: Oakdale Baptist Church, 200 Charles St, Spencer, NC 28159
• Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Friday only)
• Shuttle Service: Continuous loops running to and from the museum between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Saturday, August 29 & Sunday, August 30
• Location: North Rowan High School, 300 N Whitehead Ave, Spencer, NC 28159
• Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Saturday and Sunday only)
• Shuttle Service: Continuous loops running to and from the museum between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

Important Reminders:
• Please allow extra travel time to park and board the shuttle.
• Please carpool as much as possible to provide more parking spaces.
• Shuttle services will stop operating promptly at 6:00 PM each day. Please ensure you return to your vehicle before the final shuttle departs.
• If you are attending the drone flight events or night photo sessions, please catch a shuttle by 6:00 PM and move your vehicle to the museum parking lot at 1 Samuel Spencer Drive. We will not have shuttles running to the remote lots for the night events.

Address

1 Samuel Spencer Drive
Spencer, NC
28159

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

(704) 636-2889

Website

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