North Carolina Transportation Museum Coverage

Polar Express returns to N.C. Transportation Museum for Christmas 2021

The event features an actual train ride at the museum, a reading of the classic storybook, a visit with Santa and actors who recreate portions of the story.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

Tickets on sale for Day Out With Thomas at NC Transportation Museum

This very popular event for fans of all things Thomas the Tank Engine is scheduled for Sept. 24 to Sept. 26 and Oct. 1 to Oct. 3.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

N.C. Transportation Museum cancels its Polar Express ride for 2020

The N.C. Transportation Museum has announced that its popular Polar Express is canceled for 2020. In a press release, the museum called it a "difficult decision."

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

The Wright Flyer

The N.C. Transportation Museum is home to a full-size replica Wright Flyer. Museum educator Tyler Trahan tells us how the 1903 flight by the Wright Brothers differed from others who had tried to make flying machines, how the airplane moved, and how the Wright Flyer was steered when aloft.

A spin on the turntable

Continuing our series of videos and posts to let you #NCLearnAtHome. From the time it was built in 1924, the Bob Julian Roundhouse was an essential part of Southern Railway's Spencer Shops, home to regular maintenance for the company's steam locomotive fleet. And there is only one way to put a locomotive into the roundhouse - the turntable!

Locomotion! How A Steam Locomotive Moves

Museum educator Tyler Trahan tours a steam locomotive in the Bob Julian Roundhouse at the N.C. Transportation Museum, explaining how coal, fire, and pressure made these machines move, the manpower involved, and what could go wrong in operating the engine.

History in Motion: The Bob Julian Roundhouse

The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America and the only roundhouse left in North Carolina. This structure holds an amazing history, with many stories to tell.

NC Merci Car - WWII Era 40 & 8 Boxcar

The Merci Train was a gift to the people of the United States from the people of France, given in appreciation for the United States help to the French during World War II. The train consisted of 49 boxcars, each filled with hundreds of gifts from French citizens of every age and class. These gifts included embroidered linens, fine china, jewelry, toys, artwork, photographs, and personal items. Each of the 48 states would receive a boxcar, with Washington, DC and the territory of Hawaii sharing one boxcar.

Piedmont Airlines DC-3 - The Potomac Pacemaker

The N.C. Transportation Museum features unique and engaging aviation pieces. The museum is home to the restoration of the Piedmont Airlines DC-3, also known as the Potomac Pacemaker. The cosmetic restoration of this piece has been the primary focus for aviation volunteers at the museum for several years.

Why did trains have cabooses?

Museum Educator Tyler Trahan talks about cabooses - why they were necessary on trains of the past and why you don't see them anymore.

Electric and steam cars of the past

Electric cars, despite their rising popularity over the last few decades, are nothing new. Cars of the early 1900s were less often powered by gasoline, and more often powered by electricity or steam.

Hot chocolate? They've got it and more at NC transportation museum's Polar Express

Five years ago, the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer started offering The Polar Express train ride, a festive celebration of the season that's inspired by the classic picture book and animated movie.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

Ready to ride The Polar Express? Six tips if you're heading to the popular event at the NC Transportation Museum

At Christmas, I love curling up with my kids to read "The Polar Express" or watching Tom Hanks tell the story in the animated version of the now classic book. But, here in North Carolina, you have opportunities to actually experience The Polar Express, including at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, about two hours from Raleigh.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

6 things kids, families will love at NC Transportation Museum's Day Out With Thomas

Day Out With Thomas returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer for two big weekends of fun for train-loving kids and their adults.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor

Day Out With Thomas

Take a trip to Sodor right here in NC with Thomas and Percy.

Tickets on sale now for N.C. Transportation Museum's Easter Bunny Express

If you're up for a road trip and have a kid who loves trains and can't wait to see the Easter Bunny, here's an event for you.

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Go Ask Mom editor