North Carolina Historic Sites

Discover the people and machines that have moved North Carolina. Located on the site of Southern Railway's former steam locomotive repair facility Spencer Shops, this is where locomotives that hauled Southern's passenger trains and freight trains filled with North Carolina furniture, textiles, tobacco, and produce were serviced from 1896 to the late 1970's. Up to 3,000 people once worked here but today visitors can see an authentic train depot, antique automobiles, and a roundhouse with 25 locomotives. Continued

Information & Exhibits

• Barber Junction
• The Master Mechanic's Office
• The Flue Shop
• The Robert Julian Roundhouse
• Learning Opportunities
• Video: History of the Steam Railroads in North Carolina. Produced by the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Hosted by the Department of Public Instruction.

Friends of the Museum

The Mission of the North Carolina Transportation Museum and Foundation at Historic Spencer Shops is to preserve and interpret the history of transportation in North Carolina and to present this history in a manner that allows visitors to enjoy their experience as well as learn from it.

Visit Our Site

Upcoming Events

• June 1: Museum in Motion Festival (formerly Rail Days)
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  The N.C. Transportation Museum is expanding a well known event to include more options for families, more things to do, and more experiences for everyone who attends. Our traditional "Rail Days" event has become "The Museum in Motion" Festival. Fans of railroading, aviation, classic and antique cars, history, and just plain fun, will find something to suit their tastes!



• June 8: Second Saturdays: The Art of Storytelling
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  Storytellers will have some tall tales about some of transportation's greatest legends and myths. Regular museum admission required. Part of the 2nd Saturdays 2013 series, which combines arts and heritage with food and fun on June 8, July 13, and August 10, at North Carolina's 37 museums and Historic Sites.



• June 8: Thunderbird Cruise-In
  Saturday 9 am - 12 noon
  This Cruise-In is hosted by the Piedmont Thunderbird Club, a chapter of the International Thunderbird Club. The T-bird Cruise-In is open to all Ford Thunderbird owners and enthusiasts, with goody bags to the first 50 entries. The event happens from 9 a.m. to noon, with a guided NCTM tour for entrants.

Transportation Museum Information

• Map & Directions
• Local Weather
• Facilities
• Special Events

Contact Us

North Carolina Transportation Museum
Phone: (704) 636-2889; Fax: (704) 639-1881
411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer, N.C. 28159
E-mail: nctrans@nctrans.org
GPS: 35.68717933120, -80.43469621250

Hours of Operation

Spring/Summer/Fall
(March 1- October 31)
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday

Winter
(November 1 - February 28)
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday
Noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Closed New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas