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.

Shop our exclusive line of merchandise for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at the Gift Station! From toys and souvenirs to apparel an...
05/31/2026

Shop our exclusive line of merchandise for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at the Gift Station! From toys and souvenirs to apparel and housewares, there’s something for everyone.

Explore our POLAR EXPRESS™️ collection in person or shop online at:
https://shopnctransportationmuseum.com/collections/christmas


Historic preservation work continues at the Spencer Shops as final painting inside the Powerhouse and Car Repair Shed br...
05/30/2026

Historic preservation work continues at the Spencer Shops as final painting inside the Powerhouse and Car Repair Shed brings these remarkable spaces back to life!

Inside the Powerhouse, original generators, boilers, furnaces, and the fire pump assembly have been cleaned, restored, and highlighted to showcase how steam, electricity, and heat once powered the entire Spencer Shops complex. Outside, preserved features like the historic lye pit, gantry structure, and massive hydraulic press offer another glimpse into the site’s industrial past.

In the Car Repair Sheds, restored hose reel stations now help tell the story of how carmen used compressed air, water, and gases to inspect and repair rolling stock. Every detail helps preserve and share the incredible history of rail operations at Spencer Shops for future generations to experience.

Keep an eye out for monthly progress highlights as these historic buildings near completion!

Embark on a magical journey to the North Pole aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride this holiday season! Tickets on sale ...
05/29/2026

Embark on a magical journey to the North Pole aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride this holiday season! Tickets on sale next week!

2026 Tickets on Sale
Thursday, June 4
9:00 a.m. EDT

June 2 for Family Platinum and Family Premium Members
June 3 for All N.C. Transportation Museum Members

Head to our website for more information!
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/polar-express-presale/

Day Out With Thomas™ tickets NOW ON SALE for September 25-27 & October 2-4!All Aboard for a Rockin’ Good Time!Day Out Wi...
05/28/2026

Day Out With Thomas™ tickets NOW ON SALE for September 25-27 & October 2-4!

All Aboard for a Rockin’ Good Time!
Day Out With Thomas : Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll! Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the
beat to the N.C. Transportation Museum! Hop onboard a real train ride with Thomas or
Percy, strike a pose at photo ops and snag something cool at the exclusive gift shop. Then, keep the beat going at the Music Corner, packed with lawn games, hands-on
activities, and music-inspired fun that will have the whole family dancing!

Visit our website to purchase tickets today!
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/


Fireworks Over Historic Spencer Shops returns on June 27! Enjoy an evening of family fun with loads of activities, live ...
05/27/2026

Fireworks Over Historic Spencer Shops returns on June 27! Enjoy an evening of family fun with loads of activities, live USO style musical duo, dj music, food vendors, and a spectacular firework show celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary! You can even purchase tickets for evening train rides on the Firecracker Express. Activities kick-off at 6 p.m. and the fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the show.

https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/fireworks-over-spencer


After a quick cat nap, Mookie is back to exploring the museum and keeping an eye on everything as our favorite feline to...
05/26/2026

After a quick cat nap, Mookie is back to exploring the museum and keeping an eye on everything as our favorite feline tour guide. Our hours are Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. , Sunday Noon - 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays.

Train Ride Schedule:
May 11 - June 10: Friday - Sunday
June 11 - August 2: Thursday - Sunday
August 3 -30: Friday - Sunday

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

Additional Train Ride Operations:
Thursday, June 4: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 23: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Summer Fun Days: Caboose Trains
Tuesday, June 30: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.

Get your tickets now at:
https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1052395/2025-museum-admission-spencer-north-carolina-transportation-museum

The hottest season of the year is quickly approaching and so are our Summer Fun Days! Join us for one, or all, of these ...
05/25/2026

The hottest season of the year is quickly approaching and so are our Summer Fun Days! Join us for one, or all, of these special fun-filled days, where kids of all ages can participate in craft/activity stations pertaining to one of four themes; Aviation & Space, Wagon Trail Days, Caboose Train Days, and Ice Cream Days.

We hope to see you all this summer at The Museum That Moves You!

Times: All Summer Fun Days will take place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Dates/Themes:
Tuesday, June 9: Aviation & Space
Tuesday, June 16: Wagon Trail Day
Tuesday, June 23: Ice Cream Day
Tuesday, June 30: Caboose Train Day
Tuesday, July 7: Ice Cream Day
Tuesday, July 14: Aviation & Space
Tuesday, July 21: Caboose Train Day
Tuesday, August 4: Wagon Trail Day
Tuesday, August 11: Caboose Train Day

Included with Museum Admission.

Learn more at: https://nctransportationmuseum.org/summer-fun-days/

Happy Memorial Day! Come spend the day with us, we’re open 9 AM to 5 PM, with train rides at 11 AM and 1 PM!
05/25/2026

Happy Memorial Day! Come spend the day with us, we’re open 9 AM to 5 PM, with train rides at 11 AM and 1 PM!

We are open on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.! Bring the family and spend the day exploring transportation history. R...
05/24/2026

We are open on Memorial Day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.!

Bring the family and spend the day exploring transportation history. Ride the train, discover fascinating exhibits, and enjoy a day of adventure at The Museum That Moves You! 🚂

Plan your visit and make it part of your Memorial Day tradition!

Train Ride Times: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org

Join us for our annual Fire Truck Festival on Saturday, June 13! The day features: -Antique & Modern Fire Trucks-Lil’ Fi...
05/23/2026

Join us for our annual Fire Truck Festival on Saturday, June 13! The day features:

-Antique & Modern Fire Trucks
-Lil’ Firefighter Costume Contest: 1:30 p.m.
-Jaws of Life Demonstration
-Salisbury Fire Department 1941 truck and World Trade Center Steel
-Charlotte Fire Department Safety Education Team
-Discovery map for kids
-Inflatable games
-Model layouts
-NC Forestry Service
-Awards: 2 p.m.
-Fire Truck Parade: 2:30 p.m.
-Fire Education Station
-Norfolk Southern Operation Awareness and Response safety train
-Norfolk Southern Community Impact representatives

Thank you to our sponsors Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Debbie Suggs Catering, and ServPro.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to:
https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/fire-truck-festival/

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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