Hours+Admission
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Plan Your Visit
Train Rides
Turntable Rides
ASTC Reciprocity
Navigate
Plan Your Visit
Train Rides
Turntable Rides
ASTC Reciprocity
Admission Only**
$6 for Adults
$5 for Seniors (62+)/Military***
$4 for Children 3-12 years of age
Admission + Train Ride**
$12 for Adults
$10 for Seniors (62+)/Military***
$8 for Children 3-12 years of age
NO TRAIN RIDES THRU DEC. 25
Turntable Rides**
$1 per person ages 3+
Museum hours are revised on days THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride operates.
November 14 – December 7:
Tuesday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.*
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.*
Closed Monday
December 8 – December 23:
Tuesday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.*
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.*
Closed Monday, December 11
Open on Monday, December 19 at 3 p.m. for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride only
Closed December 24-25
December 26 – 31:
Tuesday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
*The museum will close at 2 p.m. and all guests will be asked to leave so we are able to prepare for the event. Gates will reopen at 3 p.m. for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride event only, and museum exhibit buildings will be closed.
Kids under 3 are free and do not require a ticket. Members are free on regular operating days (fees may apply during some special events.)
*Operation hours will be revised for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride through December 23. The N.C. Transportation Museum will be closed on December 24 & 25. Our regular train ride will not operate through December 23 due to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. We will have revised train ride hours starting December 26 for our Winter Train Rides. Our hours will be revised after Labor Day, however, we will still be open to the public.
**These prices do not include taxes or fees. No refunds or exchanges.
***Must present approved military ID along with ticket for entry. Limit 1 per military ID.
Plan Your Visit
Barber Junction Visitor Center
Authentic 1898 railroad depot Visitor Center, ticket purchase, check-in, and train ride boarding.
Back Shop
Built in 1905, this building showcases railroad, auto/trucking, and aviation exhibits.
Master Mechanic’s Office
Built in 1911, this building houses the Gift Station and rotating exhibits.
Storehouse No. 3
This 1896 structure is the oldest on site. Open on select days.
Flue Shop
Built in 1924, this building is home to the Bumper to Bumper auto exhibit.
Roundhouse & Turntable
Built in 1924, houses locomotives and railcars; rail and aviation exhibits. Turntable rides available.
Barber Junction Visitor Center
Authentic 1898 railroad depot Visitor Center, ticket purchase, check-in, and train ride boarding.
Master Mechanic’s Office
Built in 1911, this building houses the Gift Station and rotating exhibits.
Flue Shop
Built in 1924, this building is home to the Bumper to Bumper auto exhibit.
Back Shop
Built in 1905, this building showcases railroad, auto/trucking, and aviation exhibits.
Storehouse No. 3
This 1896 structure is the oldest on site. Open on select days.
Roundhouse & Turntable
Built in 1924, houses locomotives and railcars; rail and aviation exhibits. Turntable rides available.
Download Site Map
Train Rides
Winter Holiday Train Rides
Tues., Dec. 26 – Sat., Dec. 30: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Sunday December 31: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., & 3 p.m.
*Regular museum train rides will not operate through December 25.
Museum Train Rides
The museum offers a train ride pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive on select days during the year. The seasonal schedule of the train ride is available on the “Plan a Visit” and home pages of our website. The ride takes place entirely on the property of the 60-acre North Carolina Transportation Museum and offers a tour of the historic site by train. You’ll ride along and see the structures that were used to service Southern Railway’s steam locomotives when the Spencer Shops were in operation. Tickets can be purchased at the Barber Junction Visitor Center upon arrival. Train rides last approximately 25 minutes and are fun for all ages.
Locomotive Cab & Caboose Rides
Enjoy a ride inside the cab of the diesel locomotive as it pulls the train around the site, or ride in the caboose on the rear of the train! These special opportunities are limited in capacity and are offered at the discretion of the train crew. Rides in the locomotive or caboose are not available on all operating days. Please ask our ticket agent about availability upon arrival at the Barber Junction Visitor Center when you arrive.
Seated diesel locomotive cab rides are $25 per person, plus museum admission. Standing locomotive cab rides are $20 per person, plus museum admission. Pricing applies to all ages, and minors must be accompanied by a paying adult.
Caboose rides are $10 per person, plus museum admission. Pricing applies to all ages, and minors must be accompanied by a paying adult.
The locomotives and the cabooses are not ADA accessible due to their design and vintage nature of the equipment. Those wishing to ride in either must be able to climb into and out of the equipment on their own.
Turntable Rides
$1 per person ages 3+
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. (Sat. only)
Sunday: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Still in operation today, this Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark is used to position locomotives and rail cars for display and for use on the museum’s passenger trains. Take a spin as the turntable operator explains the history of this 100 foot long rotating bridge and its importance to the operation of Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops and today’s North Carolina Transportation Museum.
ASTC Reciprocity
You must have your membership card with you.
- The membership card must be in your name.
- You must present a photo ID.
- The expiration date on the membership card must be valid.
To find out if your museum is part of the reciprocity program, view the lists online: ASTC
– Please note the exceptions listed here* for centers within 90-linear-miles of the N.C. Transportation Museum. Reciprocity is subject to change.
– It is recommended that you call the N.C. Transportation Museum prior to your visit to confirm the status of reciprocity.
704.636.2889.
Guests using their ASTC Travel Passport Program membership can only purchase tickets on-site at the Barber Junction Visitor Center; no online reservations accepted.
ASTC Travel Passport Program visitors receive free general admission and train ride (excluding special and premium events) for immediate family members residing in the same household; limit four.
Reciprocity*
- Catawba Science Center, Hickory NC
- Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro NC (50% off admission and train ride for up to 4 people from one household on non-special event days)
- Kaleideum North, Winston-Salem NC
- Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, Gastonia NC
No Reciprocity*
- Discovery Place, Inc., Charlotte NC