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North Carolina Railroad Museums: A Complete Guide

Published: April 25, 2025

By: Adam Burns

North Carolina’s rich railroad history helped shape the economic and cultural landscape of the state. With the advent of railroads in the 19th century, North Carolina witnessed significant advances in transportation and opportunities for economic growth.

Today, several museums across the state preserve this illustrious past, offering visitors a glimpse into the world of railroads with artifacts, model trains, and historic locomotives. This article takes you on a journey through some of North Carolina's prominent railroad museums, each telling unique stories of the state's railroading heritage.

Cherryville Model Railroad Club/Museum

This small organization is based inside Cherryville's restored Seaboard Air Line brick depot (completed in 1921). There is no cost to view their layouts although they do accept donations. The club normally operates on select days of the week.

National Railroad Museum And Hall Of Fame

This small museum is located at Hamlet inside the Seaboard Air Line's beautifully restored depot which opened in 1900. It has been open since 1976 and tells the local railroad history via numerous exhibits, displays, and various other artifacts. The facility is normally open each weekend.

North Carolina Transportation Museum

Located in Spencer, the North Carolina Transportation Museum stands as the state's premier destination for exploring the history of transportation, including railroads. Once the repair facility for Southern Railway Company, the site is now a vast museum sprawling 60 acres. It houses an impressive collection of real trains, automobiles, and aircraft that illustrate North Carolina's transportation evolution.

The Roundhouse, a highlight of the museum, is one of the largest remaining operating roundhouses in North America. Visitors can explore historical locomotives and rail cars, ranging from steam engines to cabooses. For a more immersive experience, train rides are also offered, providing a hands-on understanding of railway travel.

Old Rock School Railway Museum

This museum is located in Valdese and operated by the Piedmont & Western Railroad Club. They offer tours during the weekend of their extensive model layouts, by appointment only.

Piedmont Railroad Museum & Library, Inc.

This relatively recent organization was formed in 2017 to preserve the rail history of central and eastern North Carolina. While the state was served by big names in this region such as the Southern, Atlantic Coast Line, and Seaboard Air Line there were also several mid-sized systems or short lines located there; names like the Norfolk Southern, Carolina & Northwestern, Atlantic & East Carolina Railway, Durham & Southern, and Piedmont & Northern.

The group has plans to feature a museum and library named the Piedmont Model Railroad Park which will be open to the public. For the time being you can visit their hobby shop called the Piedmont Model Railroad Park Store at the Cary Towne Center.

Smoky Mountain Trains

This small organization is located in Bryson City in the western part of the state, which is also home to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The museum features an impressive collection of Lionel model trains and is open during select days of each week.

Wilmington Railroad Museum

In Wilmington, the Thalian Hall once bustled as a center of culture, but the Wilmington Railroad Museum now provides its own draw by preserving the legacy of railroading in the region. This museum focuses specifically on the Atlantic Coast Line, which once had its headquarters in Wilmington.

The Wilmington Railroad Museum first began in 1979 and in 1983 acquired the former Atlantic Coast Line freight depot, in which the organization is still housed today. They have several artifacts on-hand, a model train layout, as well as a small collection of rolling stock (this includes Atlantic Coast Line 4-6-0 #250 built by Baldwin in 1910).

For families with young rail enthusiasts, the museum offers interactive exhibits that allow kids to dive into the world of trains. The museum is a testament to Wilmington's important role as a transportation hub in the Southeast.

Overview

North Carolina's railroad museums offer more than just nostalgia—they provide educational insights into the impact of railroads on the state’s development. From large-scale transportation hubs to interactive family experiences, these museums enable visitors to grasp the evolution and enduring legacy of the railroad industry. Whether you're a seasoned rail enthusiast or simply curious about North Carolina’s rich history, a visit to these museums will take you on a captivating journey through the state's storied tracks.