TICKETS GO ON SALE: North Carolina Museum Members: Thursday, July 16 at 9 am EST General Public: Friday, July 17 at 9am EST
Norfolk Southern America 250 locomotive No. 2026, The Lady Liberty,
is displayed outside the railroad’s paint shop in Altoona, Pa.
Credit: Norfolk Southern
Pricing Options
1-Day Pass
Adult: $44.50 ($40.00 plus $4.50 handling fee)*
Child (3-12): – $28.25 ($25.00 plus $3.25 handling fee)*
2-Day Pass
Adult: $81.50 ($75.00 plus $6.50 handling fee)*
Child (3-12): $49.75 ($45.00 plus $4.75 handling fee)*
3-Day Pass
Adult: $117.75 ($110.00 plus $7.75 handling fee)*
Child (3-12): $71.25 ($65.00 plus $6.25 handling fee)*
Members of the N.C. Transportation Museum receive $2.00 off the base price for each of these ticket options
Night Photo Session
(sold separately)
August 28 & 29 only, no multi-night passes
7:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Pricing is for all ages.
Non-Member: $159.00 ($150.00 plus $9.00 handling fee)*
Members: $148.50 ($140.00 plus $8.50 handling fee)*
*Plus N.C. Sales Tax
ASTC Passport Program:
Reciprocal memberships from participating Association of Science & Technology Centers (ASTC) will NOT be accepted for this special event.
Norfolk Southern America 250 locomotive No. 2026, The Lady Liberty, is displayed outside the railroad’s paint shop in Altoona, Pa.
Credit: Norfolk Southern
America 250 Locomotive Celebration!
August 28-30, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Quick Links: Event Info | Event Features | Pricing | Gallery
The N.C. Transportation Museum and Trains Magazine are excited to announce the America 250 Locomotive Celebration August 28-30 at the N.C. Transportation in Spencer, NC!
Experience a once-in-a-generation railroading event as the N.C. Transportation Museum hosts the first and only gathering of commemorative locomotives from Class I, short line, museum, and passenger railroads, all specially painted to celebrate America’s semiquincentennial.
Set against the iconic Bob Julian Roundhouse, this extraordinary display of red, white, and blue locomotives is expected to create one of the most memorable railroad photography opportunities of the America 250 celebration.
Throughout this three-day event, visitors will enjoy:
- Unique photo opportunities
- Cab tours of select locomotives
- Rotating locomotive displays on the Bob Julian Roundhouse turntable
- Night photography sessions sponsored and coordinated by Railfan & Railroad Magazine
- Train rides pulled by a museum diesel locomotive
Each day will feature a different lineup of locomotives and photography opportunities as equipment is rotated and repositioned throughout the event, ensuring a unique experience for returning visitors.
Pricing Options
1-Day Pass
Adult: $44.50 ($40.00 plus $4.50 handling fee)*
Child (3-12): – $28.25 ($25.00 plus $3.25 handling fee)*
2-Day Pass
Adult: $81.50 ($75.00 plus $6.50 handling fee)*
Child (3-12): $49.75 ($45.00 plus $4.75 handling fee)*
3-Day Pass
Adult: $117.75 ($110.00 plus $7.75 handling fee)*
Child (3-12): $71.25 ($65.00 plus $6.25 handling fee)*
Members of the N.C. Transportation Museum receive $2.00 off the base price for each of these ticket options
Night Photo Session
(sold separately)
August 28 & 29 only, no multi-night passes
7:00 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Pricing is for all ages.
Non-Member: $159.00 ($150.00 plus $9.00 handling fee)*
Members: $148.50 ($140.00 plus $8.50 handling fee)*
*Plus N.C. Sales Tax
ASTC Passport Program:
Reciprocal memberships from participating Association of Science & Technology Centers (ASTC) will NOT be accepted for this special event.
