Wilmington Railroad Museum

08/15/2026

08/10/2026

We have HO rolling stock items used in our World Record breaking run 15 years ago that have just been added to our preloved train section in the gift shop. They come with a Certificate of Authenticity! These are the last of the cars. Limited quantity available.

07/27/2026

Our 115-year-old #250 locomotive's whistle took a field trip with one of our volunteers last weekend. The Cass Scenic Railroad worked with our volunteer Joseph Batton to allow the old whistle to blow again after all these years. It was mounted up on locomotive #5 by the Engineer and Assistant Shop Foreman, Matthew Hause. Joseph got a chance to even blow the whistle from the cab! Check out that old lonesome whistle sound that hasn't been heard in over 50 years. The whistle is home now and back on the #250 after her exciting adventure. Thanks Joseph and the Cass Scenic Railroad folks for making this possible.

07/07/2026

Have you ever heard of the Atlantic Coast Line Hospital in Rocky Mount?

I recently came across this beautiful vintage postcard of the Atlantic Coast Line Relief Hospital, and it sent me down a rabbit hole.

From what I've been able to piece together, the hospital was built around 1899–1900 to serve employees of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad during a time when Rocky Mount was becoming one of the railroad's most important hubs. It also appears to have been the city's first hospital, though it wasn't open to the general public.

Beyond that, the story becomes a little hazy. Some sources indicate the building is no longer standing, but details about exactly when it disappeared and what became of it are surprisingly difficult to find.

It's fascinating to think that a place once dedicated to caring for the men and women who kept the railroad running has all but faded from memory.

Does anyone have family stories, photographs, or memories of the Atlantic Coast Line Hospital? I'd love to learn more about this forgotten piece of Rocky Mount's history.

07/01/2026

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Wilmington Railroad Museum welcomes visitors seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and !:00 pm to 5:00 on Sunday.

Whether you're a lifelong railfan, a local history enthusiast, or looking for a family-friendly activity during your Wilmington visit, there's something for everyone to discover.

Explore fascinating exhibits, historic railroad artifacts, model trains, and the stories that helped connect our region to the rest of the country.

Make plans to visit us this week and see why the Wilmington Railroad Museum remains one of Wilmington's favorite historical attractions.

Learn more before your visit: https://www.wrrm.org/

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember those who gave the greatest sacrifice for their country. The article link below discusses the role of the railroad in repatriating fallen soldiers. At the museum, we have a sad but tangible reminder of those lost in war. The picture below shows a rare Casket Cart at the museum. The cart was designed to respectfully move a casket off the train to an awaiting hearse. The cart was restored some years ago and can be found along our boardwalk. https://historynet.com/last-train-home/

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

Updated Summer Hours!

Make the most of the long summer days by coming to see us. ☀️🚂

05/21/2026

Thanks you Robin Dale Robertson for sharing this old footage of a Lionel setup with us.

05/14/2026

This brakeman is posing on the catwalk that was used to navigate moving trains. Prior to automatic brakes, the brakeman would walk from car to car to turn the brake wheels (shown here on the brakeman's left) and apply the brakes on each car. This was dangerous work, especially in wet or icy conditions. (Stimson Collection, WSA)