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.
Transportation Museum Information
Contact Us
North Carolina Transportation Museum
P.O. Box 165
Spencer, NC 28159
Phone: (704) 636-2889
Email: nctrans@ncmail.net
Hours of Operation
April - October
Monday - Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 1-5 p.m.
November - March
Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday 1-4 p.m.
Closed Monday