Museums of the Appalachian Railroads

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Appalachian Railroad Museums

The Johnson City Railroad Experience – Johnson City TN

Johnson City Railroad Experience

Once known as the George L. Carter Railroad Museum, the museum has a new location and larger facility.

Annually thousands of visitors enjoy the museum’s displays, which include historic prototype railroad memorabilia, toy trains and model railroading locomotives, rolling stock, and structures. Four large operating layouts in three different scales provide viewing enjoyment in the museum’s 5,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space. One of the highlights is the ET&WNC model railroad layout, expansive, and beautifully modeled.

Chuckey Depot Museum – Jonesborough TN

(Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum)

The mission of the Chuckey Depot focuses on regional railroads in its exhibits, like the Southern, Clinchfield, and East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad. The museum maintains themed exhibits which change every six months. The Chuckey Depot Museum is located at 110 South 2nd Avenue. For more information, please call 423.753.1010. The Depot’s regular hours are Thursday-Sunday, 1pm-4pm.

Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum

Clinchfield Railroad Museum – Erwin TN

Modeled to look like an old-fashioned train depot, the Clinchfield Railroad Museum pays homage to the Town of Erwin’s rich railroad history. Once inside, guests proceed into the large display room, filled with railroad collection memorabilia. The museum is located adjacent to the Unicoi County Heritage Museum.

https://www.tnvacation.com/local/erwin-clinchfield-railroad-museum

Kingsport Model Trains Project – Kingsport TN

Kingsport Model Trains Project

Kingsport Model Trains Project is for history lovers and model train enthusiasts. Located at Lynn View Community Center 3rd Floor,257 Walker St., Kingsport, Tn 37665. 1st Saturday of each month 10–2pm. Work days every Tuesday 1–4pm . O scale Santa Train Project and 7 other layouts of N, HO , S and O scale trains and detailed buildings/accessories.

https://www.facebook.com/KingsportModelTrainsProject/

Virginia Museum of Transportation – Roanoke VA

Climb aboard decades-old steam locomotives while watching modern trains zoom by on active mainline tracks. Located in downtown Roanoke’s century-old freight station, the museum includes an extensive collection of steam, diesel, and electric locomotives and other types of rail cars. Other visitor favorites include model trains, automotive and aviation exhibits, buggies, a trolley bus, and a Jupiter Rocket.

http://www.vmt.org/

Norfolk & Western Railway #1218 2-6-6-4

Norfolk & Western Railway #1218 2-6-6-4
Southern Railway 6900 E8A

North Carolina Transportation Museum – Spencer NC

The North Carolina Transportation Museum is set on the former site of Southern Railway Company’s 1896-era Spencer Shops, the railroad’s main locomotive servicing facility. The museum has the largest collection of rail relics in the Carolinas, but don’t let that mislead you! This is more than a stuffy museum full of only railroad artifacts; it is an immersive experience that provides interactive activities and a full calendar of events great for not only rail fans but families too!

https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/

Southern Railway #6900 E8A

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum – Chattanooga

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

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Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the railroads or model railroading.

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Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org