Children's Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum

Name: N.C. Transportation Museum
Address: 1 Samuel Spencer Dr, Spencer, NC 28159, Spencer, NC, US
Telephone: (704) 636-2889
Rating: 4.7

★★★★☆ 4.7 (4715 reviews)

📍 1 Samuel Spencer Dr, Spencer, NC 28159

📞 (704) 636-2889

🌐 www.nctransportationmuseum.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	9 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–5 PM
Thursday	9 AM–5 PM
Friday	9 AM–5 PM
Saturday	9 AM–5 PM
Sunday	Closed

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About N.C. Transportation Museum

Interactive exhibits & seasonal rides. Engines, antique autos, a roundhouse & other displays at a 57-acre site with seasonal train rides. The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America, making it a unique architectural and transportation heritage landmark. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 4,715 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Transportation Museum
Historic Site: Former Southern Railway Spencer Shops, 60-acre site
Key Highlights: Bob Julian Roundhouse, seasonal train rides, Wright Flyer replica, aircraft and automobile collections
Best For: All ages
Admission: $10 adults, $8 children (3-12), free for members and children under 3

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America, making it a unique architectural and transportation heritage landmark
🏛️The museum operates on a 57-acre site featuring the historic Barber Junction Depot from 1898, preserving a piece of late 19th-century railroad infrastructure
⭐The museum features a Wright Flyer replica alongside vintage locomotives and a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 aircraft restoration, creating a comprehensive multi-modal transportation history collection
⭐Seasonal train rides operate March through August on vintage passenger cars pulled by diesel locomotives, with special themed experiences like the Polar Express train ride during holiday seasons

💬 What Visitors Say

💡Train rides are seasonal (March-August) and operate on varying schedules with separate pricing ($10 extra per person). Book Polar Express experiences in advance and consider afternoon or nighttime slots for the most interactive and memorable experience with Santa appearances and entertainment.
🕐Visit Tuesday-Saturday mornings (9am opening) to explore the roundhouse, locomotives, and static exhibits with fewer crowds. Train ride operations have varying weekday/weekend schedules, so check ahead before visiting.
💬General admission ($10 adults) does not include train rides—budget an additional $10-20 per person if you want to ride the vintage passenger cars. The museum has ample exhibits to explore for 3-4 hours even without a train ride.
💡Families with young children should prioritize the interactive train rides and seasonal Summer Fun Days with Caboose Trains (June 30, July 21, August 11) for hands-on engagement. Staff reviews highlight excellent entertainment and engagement for little ones.
💡Take advantage of the Spanish language map for bilingual access, and plan to tour the Bob Julian Roundhouse (largest remaining in North America) and the Back Shop with antique automobiles and aircraft restoration exhibits as educational focal points beyond just train rides.