N.C. Transportation Museum

N.C. Transportation Museum

The museum that moves you!

Located about an hour northeast of Charlotte you will find N.C. Transportation Museum, this historic site and museum that displays a collection of autos, aircraft, and railway vehicles. The museum is located at 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC.

This museum is located at the former Southern Railways Spencer Shops (in Spencer, NC), which was once the largest steam locomotive repair facility on the east coast. Inside you will find engines, antique autos, the Bob Julian Roundhouse, and other displays scattered throughout the 60-acre museum site. The Bob Julian Roundhouse holds 37 stalls and is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America. You will find steam and diesel locomotives and railcars within the roundhouse, as well as the opportunity to take a 'Turntable Ride'.

Throughout the rest of the museum, you will see various aviation and auto exhibits, such as Bumper to Bumper, Wagons, Wheels, and Wings, and How the West Was Won: Trains and Transportation of North Carolina. See antique autos like the Model T, 1948 Lincoln Continental, and 1929 Model AA Fire Truck, and aviation such as the Douglas DC-3 and Wright Flyer Replica. As far as trains go, you will see several different steam and diesel locomotives throughout, such as the Atlantic CC #1031 and Southern Railway #6900.

The museum offers seasonal 25-minute train rides to guests, as well as various special event days throughout the year such as the Firetruck Festival, Day Out with Thomas, Polar Express Train Ride, and Pirate Day.