North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation Information

The North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, formed with the mission of supporting the North Carolina Transportation Museum. The Museum, operated by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, encompasses a 57-acre campus on the site of what was "Spencer Shops"--once Southern Railroad's largest steam locomotive repair facility on the East Coast. Four large exhibit buildings represent the remaining structures of the historic shops, including the Back Shop, the Master Mechanic's Office, the Flue Shop and the 37-stall Bob Julian Roundhouse. The museum is a source of education and fun for the young and old, with an on-site train ride, rides on the still-operating turntable (designated as an American Society of Mechanical Engineers landmark) and family-friendly events throughout the year. The Museum works to preserve and share North Carolina's transportation history in and educational and entertaining way. The vast collection of rail equipment includes steam and diesel locomotives, cabooses, passenger and freight cars, track maintenance equipment, an Army Hospital Car, a Railway Post Office car, James Duke's private car and many other unique pieces. The automotive collection boasts one of North Carolina's first Highway Patrol cars, an early steam-powered car, an early electric car, several early model Fords and many other rare vehicles with a history in North Carolina. We also have a growing aviation collection, with replica of the Wright Brothers flyer on display and a Piedmont Airlines DC-3 airplane currently under restoration. The history of North Carolina-born Piedmont Airlines is also chronicled through the display of crew uniforms, service china, in-flight magazines and Piedmont marketing materials. An army of volunteers help full-time staff keep everything rolling at the Museum, from train ride operations to restoration projects to guided tours. Visit www.nctrans.org to learn more.