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)*
All day passes include passenger train ride based on availability. Tickets do not guarantee a specific time. Seating will be on a first come, first served bases.
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
***Night Photo Session limited to 200 participants per night***
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, Trains Magazine, and White River Productions are excited to announce the America 250 Locomotive Celebration August 28-30 at the N.C. Transportation Museum 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, 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
- Rotating locomotive displays on the Bob Julian Roundhouse turntable
- Night photography sessions sponsored and coordinated by Railfan & Railroad Magazine
(Night Photo Session limited to 200 participants per night) - Train rides pulled by a museum diesel locomotive – included with admission price, based on availability.
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.
America 250 Drone Tickets
The N.C. Transportation Museum will be offering drone tickets for limited five-minute drone flights at the Bob Julian Roundhouse on Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. during the America 250 Locomotive Celebration.
Operators of drones must have completed the Recreational UAS Safety Test or have proper FAA Part 107 authorization to fly the drone and must comply with all requirements. Purchasing a drone ticket allows you one controlled five-minute drone flight outside the Bob Julian Roundhouse during the designated hour.
Drones are not allowed at any other time during the three day celebration August 28-30, so take advantage of this limited opportunity while tickets last. Tickets are $50 plus tax and are limited to 48 tickets per day on August 28 and 29 only.
Drone Guidelines
NC Transportation Museum – America 250 Locomotive Celebration
Rules on use of drones during event
To ensure safety and courtesy for all attendees of the America 250 Locomotive Celebration, the following rules are in place for the use of drones:
- Drone use will be restricted to Media Preview Day on Thursday, August 27, 2026, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. for specifically approved media and commercial use. There will be no drone usage permitted during public event hours Friday-Sunday, August 28-30, including daytime and night photo sessions, or when the museum is closed to the public.
- Local media outlets must request permission to use drones on the Media Preview Day on Thursday, August 27, 2026, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Contact Tyler Kent at tyler.kent@dncr.nc.gov or call 980-305-6279 for approval. Local media outlets do not need to request a film permit.
- Use of drones for commercial purposes, as well as national and industry media, partnering railroads, and sponsors, is restricted to Media Preview Day on Thursday, August 27, 2026, between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Users must complete a film permit application at https://form.jotform.com/nc.dncr.web/film-permit-application. Film permits are processed by the State of North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Requests must be submitted by Thursday, August 13, 2026.
- Use of drones by the general public is not permitted.
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)*
All day passes include passenger train ride based on availability. Tickets do not guarantee a specific time. Seating will be on a first come, first served bases.
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
***Night Photo Session limited to 200 participants per night***
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Locomotives shown in all photographs are examples of locomotives painted to celebrate America 250. Actual locomotives appearing at the event will be announced as they are confirmed.
Photo Credit:
Top row left to right: Bill Stephens, Genessee & Wyoming, Metra | Bottom row left to right: Metro North, Canadian National, Union Pacific
Event Sponsors:
Book your overnight stay in one of our participating Rowan County Lodging Properties during the America 250 Locomotive Celebration event at the North Carolina Transportation Museum and receive complimentary daytime event passes based on the length of your stay with Rowan County Tourism’s America 250 Locomotive Celebration Stay & Play Package. Please note there is a different booking process for hotels and AirBnB/B&B/VRBO/Camping Cabins. Please pay careful attention to our deadlines and terms and conditions prior to booking your lodging.
Terms and conditions apply, please visit the Rowan County Tourism Office’s website for all terms and conditions.
For any questions or concerns about your America 250 Locomotive Celebration HOTEL Package, please contact the Rowan County Tourism office call center at 704-709-3410. The ticketing center is open 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. EDT.
For any questions or concerns about your America 250 Locomotive Celebration AIRBNB Package, please contact the Rowan County Tourism office at 704-638-3100. The office is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday.
Stay and Play packages are offered exclusively by Rowan County Tourism.
Food Vendors
Kait’s Coffee
Apostle ‘Que (Friday)
Teriyaki On A Stick
Luna Pizza (Saturday & Sunday)
Roadway Dawg’s Food Truck
The Old 97 Kettle Corn
The Chill Shak Food Truck