TrainDad

Today our little guy, Jonathan, turned three years old. The biggest adventure centered around “Day Out With Thomas” at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. This event hosted the “real” Thomas — the live steam Porter-conversion brought in from the Strassburg (In case you don’t know, the majority of these events use non-powered versions that rely on local power). I’ve not planned on participating in one of these events, because the price is crazy for something that you don’t even really get to experience. I mean, if you could actually ride on Thomas himself, that would be something special; but riding in a passenger car behind Thomas is no different than riding in the same car behind any other locomotive. And doing it with 400 other screaming toddlers isn’t exactly my idea of a “day out” — a day out of my mind, more like it. In any case, a loving uncle bought tickets, so there we were.

The ride was about what I expected; Jonathan enjoyed it, though, and I’m glad we had the opportunity. We got much more excitement out of watching Thomas drive. If you go to one of these events, I recommend asking right up front where the best viewing location is to see Thomas start up. That’s the exciting moment, as he belches smoke and steam and the driving wheels slip. We also watched him from above, standing on a bridge. He tooted his tinny English whistle once as he went under, his engineer leaning out the window and waving.

One of the things Jonathan enjoyed most was the Norfolk-Southern engine on a side track. They allowed visitors into the cab, let them sit in the driver’s seat and handle the controls. With the engine running, it was a great experience to push the throttle and hear the diesel roar. And it’s always a delight to blow the horn!

Other highlights included rides on a “caboose train” and a large HO-scale model railroad set up by a local club.

Finally, Jonathan received a GeoTrax Grand Central Station set as a birthday gift. This is the “expanded set” with extra cars and a DVD. JB was so excited he just didn’t know how to express it. Aero is his new favorite — he asked if he could sleep with Aero tonight.

Lots to talk about over the next few days… notes on Thomas and Geotrax and TrackMaster and more. Stay tuned!

We visited the NC Transportation Museum this weekend, and were delighted with the spectacular facility, impressive collection, and the low cost to experience it all.

Nestled on main street in this little town outside of Charlotte, the NC Transportation Museum is a hidden gem with the goal of becoming a premier destination. It is located in the former Southern Railway locomotive repair facilities, and their displays are centered around a wonderful roundhouse and turntable. The first happy surprise is that there is no cost to enter the museum: it is free. Yup, F-R-double-E. Gotta like that.

Most people start their visit with a ride on the train. Prices are better than reasonable: $6 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors, and kids under three are free. Their collection of locomotives is large enough that they rotate their motive power monthly; check their web site to see what will be driving at the time of your visit. Of particular note is that you can take a ride in the cab for only $10, first come-first served. That single thing might be the most impressive element of the whole place.

The train departs from their (beautiful) depot to the roundhouse. It stops to let people unload, then heads back. Tickets are needed for this outgoing leg of the ride, but not for the trip back. Thus, clever planning can get you several rides for one low cost. I’d suggest riding out, touring the roundhouse, then riding back; then, take a walking tour through the gift shop and various displays in mechanic’s buildings, which will drop you out right back at the roundhouse; hop on the train again for a free ride back.

The roundhouse is home to an impressive collection of heavy metal. On the steam side there is a Shay, two 2-8-0 Consolidations, a 4-6-0 “ten-wheeler,” a 2-10-0 decapod, a couple Porters, a saddle-tanker, and a fireless. All are in good condition, and several are (more or less) operational. The diesel side has too many to list, including an E-3, E-8, FP-7, Amtrak F-40, GP-9, GP-30, Fairbanks-Morse H-12-44, and a Baldwin AS-416. Notable inclusions are three major passenger engines: two of the classic Southern green-and-white E- and F- series, and the unmistakable purple and white of the Atlantic Coast Line. The Southern engines are regularly used to run the passenger routes, along with several other diesels. Sadly, no steam is currently used.

Also inside the roundhouse are the museum workshops. At any given time there will be a dozen engines and cars in the shop being worked on. Easy access lets you watch the work happen.

While at the roundhouse, hop onto the turntable for a ride. It does cost an extra buck, but they give you quite a few spins.

Between the roundhouse and the station are long workshop buildings that house nice collections of automobiles, a few planes, and a gift shop. We ran out of time to see more than a glimpse of the main auto collection.

A major development is in the works as they convert the enormous backshop into a new display space. It looks good so far, but has a long way to go.

There is much more to see and experience. The entire collection of equipment is enormous: 13 pages long, in the latest list. Much of it is in fine cosmetic condition. There are many normal pieces — boxcars and the like — but there are also some unique items. One particularly fascinating example is a one-of-a-kind monster machine built by the Norfolk Southern to drive the tracks while scooping up ballast, cleaning it, and spreading it back out.

Across the street is a great model railroad shop and a small restaurant with good burgers, dogs, and ice cream.

Give it a try. This is a museum that won’t disappoint!