The North Carolina Transportation Museum provides a wonderful opportunity to view both modern and historic transportation options in our state. We love the Transportation Museum for being one of the best ways to gets kids up close and personal with trains, planes, and automobiles. Whether you’re looking for a fun birthday party idea, a day out with the family, or an educational school visit, the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer is an ideal stop for all!
NCTM Project Will Renovate Historic Museum Structures
SPENCER, N.C. — The North Carolina Transportation Museum is pleased to announce plans to renovate two historic structures, the Powerhouse and Car Repair Shed, creating opportunities for continued growth at the State Historic Site.
The Powerhouse, constructed in 1896, supplied both power and steam pressure for both shop tools and heat throughout the former Southern Railway Spencer Shops facility. It received several additions throughout the years, with the most significant being in 1924, when the brick structure that stands today was built. The project will consist of a full renovation of the structure, complete with a new entrance canopy and an addition that will house restrooms, a catering kitchen, storage, and mechanical spaces. The interior improvements will include repaired concrete floors, repainted historic equipment and metal surfaces, as well as new lighting, utilities, HVAC, and an automatic sprinkler system. Once complete, the Powerhouse will host museum activities and also provide rental space for private events.
The Car Repair Shed was constructed in 1917 to repair railroad cars at Spencer Shops. It was once 600 feet long and 110 feet wide, could handle 200 repairs per day, and employed 300 workers at its peak. The original Car Repair Shed was once six times longer than its current size. The repair and expansion will almost double its current size and result in it being about one-third of its original size at 27,460 square feet. The improvements include a new roof, structural repairs, repaired skylights, replaced metal siding, concrete floor repairs, new lighting, power and water. The building’s five railroad tracks that run through it will be expanded to allow for the ongoing maintenance and covered storage of a minimum of 10 railroad passenger cars or other rolling stock. Two tracks will be dedicated to car maintenance, as was the original use of the building. Three tracks will be open to the public to view restored railcars kept under cover, providing protection of the equipment from the sun and rain.
“Completion of this major project will allow us to attract additional visitors for our activities and private events, ensure improved care of our vintage rail equipment, and continue to boost our economic impact for the region,” said Kelly Alexander, the museum’s executive director.
In addition to the improvements to the two buildings, the project will open up additional outdoor areas that have been off-limits to the general public since the museum first opened. These new open spaces will be available for outdoor events and other activities.
Jenkins-Peer Architects was selected to complete the project, and Hamlett Associates has been awarded the construction contract. Work is expected to begin in July 2024 and is anticipated to take up to one year. Funding for the project was provided through a $10 million one-time appropriation from the N.C. General Assembly.
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About N.C. TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
The N.C. Transportation Museum is located at 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, N.C. The mailing address is 411 Salisbury Ave., Spencer, N.C. 28159. The physical address is 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, NC 28159. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and closed Monday. Regular admission is $4 to $6 based on age and prices are doubled when a train ride is added. Admission and train ride prices may vary on special event days. For information about the site call (704) 636-2889. The N.C. Transportation Museum is part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Media Contact:
TYLER KENT | PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER | N.C. TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
704-636-2889 (museum) or 980-305-6279 (direct) | mail to: tyler.kent@dncr.nc.gov