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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

Museum Hours May – Labor Day

Tuesday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Memorial Day: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Labor Day: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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

Turntable Rides*

$1 per person ages 3+

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.)

*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

May
June – Labor Day

Friday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., & 3 p.m.
Memorial Day: 10a.m., 11a.m., and 1p.m.

June – Labor Day

Thursday & Friday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., & 3 p.m.
Labor Day: 10a.m., 11a.m., and 1p.m.

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.

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.

Experience a ride on the 1924 turntable, the centerpiece of railroad operations at the largest remaining roundhouse in North America. The turntable was used to move steam locomotives to and from the 37-bay Bob Julian Roundhouse when they were brought in for maintenance and to turn them around between runs. Unlike diesel locomotives, steam locomotives were designed to pull trains in only one direction, making the turntable a necessary part of operations at railroad yards like Spencer.

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

Reciprocal memberships for participating Association of Science – Technology Centers (ASTC) outside 90-linear-miles of the N.C. Transportation Museum will be accepted provided the member follows the following guidelines:

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