Today the museum is a mecca for transportation and history buffs alike. Young or old, transportation fan or not, history lover, or the curios will be delighted by this unique place. When you first pull into the parking lot you will find the visitors center. This 1898 building is known as Barber Junction and was original a passenger station in Barber NC and was moved to the site in 1980. Here you can purchase tickets for the train ride as well as pick up a very comprehensive map of the compound. There are restrooms located here as well and this is where you board the train when you are ready for your ride. They also have one of the penny machines that will squash a penny flat and leave a design on it (great and cheap souvenir) so make sure you have 2 quarters and a penny with you.
From here you walk out to the exhibit area. There is limited number of parking spaces closer to the exhibit area. So if it is crowed, please be considerate of the handicapped and others who may have problems, and park further back.
You will first come across the 1911 Master Mechanics Office. Once housed well... the mater mechanics office as well the clerk’s offices and housed parts. Today you will find one huge gift shop and probably the biggest of the sites gift shops. Here you can find your standard gift shop goodies from post cards, pins, pens, coffee mugs, t-shirts, and museum collectibles. They carry a well stocked book section with plenty of books on transportation and the area. They also carry a nice sized kids section with small cars and trains that will delight any wee one. They also have a big sized kid’s area fill with model kits and completed models of ship, trains, and cars that are meant for adults and carry a much bigger price tag. Some of these models inch up toward the $1000 mark! Here you will also find the Wagons, Wheel, and Wings exhibit. You can see a covered wagon that was used to transport our forefathers to airplanes which celebrate the fact that NC is first in flight.
Next to that is the 1924 Flue Shop. This was where mechanics used to repair the pipes found in the steam boilers. Today it houses the Bumper to Bumper exhibit. This exhibit showcases about 2 dozens restored and preserved antique cars. They have everything from the grand A and T models, to 1950s classics, grand touring cars, and an incredible 1935 Ford Highway Patrol Car. This and the train ride were my favorites.
Lined up along the shops are several open train cars. They house a number of exhibits including the history of the museum, the history of the area, and train travel.
After touring here then you can head out to the 1924 roundhouse. This is where most of the regular repairs and upkeep of the engines were performed. Here (for a fee) you can take a ride on the turntable. Housed inside you will find a number of restored trains from its beginnings in the 1800s up to the 1960s. Included are several antique cars which once allowed the rich to travel in style to the stream line beauty, the Pullman car. On down a bit and you can see the works in progress and restoration specialists work to restore these magnificent machines to their former glory. You can also view the 13 minute film, History of Transportation as well as a 15 minute video on railroading in NC.
The highlight of any visit is the 25 minute train ride that goes through the complex. After paying your fee, you board the train at Barbers junction. The train runs several times throughout the day. You just let them know which time you would like to ride. This is a slow paced relaxing ride in which one of the many wonderful volunteers will give you a history of the area and the museum. On Sunday they will make a stop on the return at the roundhouse saving you the long walk back.
Back at the water tower there are another set of restrooms as well as a picnic area. There is a vending area at the roundhouse. They do have handicapped parking to allow all visitors to enjoy the museum. You do need to allot several hours here. You need a minimum of 3 hours here if you plan to ride the train. We were here 3 ½ hours and rode the train and did not get to see everything. There is a lot of walking here so good comfortable shoes are suggested. Make sure you bring your camera because photography is allowed everywhere here.
Hours, fees, and other stuff.
Hours are from April to October: Tuesday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sunday from 1am to 5pm.
From November to March: Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 1pm, Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Fees: Admission free. Train ride $6 pp. Roundhouse train ride $1 pp. While admission is free, you will see donation boxes throughout the site. Please, please, please…if you are visiting please make a donation. I cannot stress this enough. This wonderful museum can only continue to run through donations made to the site. So if you go…give a donation.
For a memorable birthday experience….try the birthday caboose. March through December you may rent one of the operating caboose’s for a party. Contact the museum for details.
There are a number of events through the year. The most popular is when Thomas the Train pulls into the station. Advanced tickets are highly recommended. The also have the Easter Bunny and Santa express, antique car shows, antique truck shows, and Trick or Train at Halloween. Check the websites for more information.
The NC Transportation museum is one of the 22 sites designated as NC Historical Sites. You can go to www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us. This is the site for the program. You can find out all about this wonderful program and just click on the museum site for more information. Or their direct site is www.nctrans.org. They also participate on the passport program so make sure you bring your book (read my general entry for more information).
Recommended reading:
There is a terrific book that goes into detail of each of the states 22 Historic Sites and it is North Carolina’s State Historic Sites by Gary L. McCullough. It is available from your favorite book provider or directly from the publisher, John F. Blair at www.blairpub.com
For film buffs. The museum has been featured in several movies, mini series, and documentaries. The most prominent was in the CBS 1999 TV movie Having Our Say the first 100 years of the Delaney sisters . The movie stared Dianne Carroll and Ruby Dee as the sister. Adapted from the book of the same name, the movie tells the life of the remark Delay sisters who were born in Raleigh. The book is truly fascinating and is a must read for anyone. The book was written by Amy Hill Hearth and is readily available at book stores. The book has also been turned into a successful play. The museum can also been seen in Washington (2000), Shake Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story (1999), Lolita (1997) Secrets (1995), Spies (1992) and a number of railroad documentaries. For more information on film sites in NC try the Film Junkie’s Guide to NC by Connie Nelson and Floyd Harris. Also available from Blair Publishers.
The museum is located in the historic town of Spencer. Here you can find a place to dine or go shopping. Next door is the historical town of Salisbury. Salisbury features a large historic district, the historic national cemetery, art museums, and more. For more information please go to www.visitsalisburync.com.
The NC Transportation museum makes for a fun and fascinating day for anyone. When we were here we saw family members of all ages here. So come and make a day of the NC Transportation Museum.