Situated in the center of central North Carolina along the border of Wake and Chatham counties, just 30 minutes south of Raleigh, is the North Carolina Railroad Museum / New Hope Valley Train line. Featuring steam and diesel locomotives as well as various boxcars, flatcars, and so on, the museum / train line has been entertaining train fans at its rustic Bonsal location since 1981. Make a journey down the old railroad line with me and experience a bit of Yankee train history. Since I used to be a boy I’ve been enamored by trains — steam engines, diesels, bullet trains and even trains. My folks feel the same way; we wonder at the look of a steam locomotive hissing and panting its way clacked-clack down the tracks, imagining that we, too, are taking a trip across this great country of ours. This rolling museum will excite train buffs for the diversity of apparatus on hand, as well as, for the rides that are provided to the public. Indeed, when we paid a visit to the museum lately the grounds were packed since ride days are held only on the 1st Sun. of the month (from May thru Nov with special Halloween and Yuletide season rides as well).
5 journeys are held each ride day; visitors are inspired to arrive early for the ride they want to take. Pulled by a craggy General Electrical diesel locomotive (built in the early 1940s), the 60 minutes train ride permits passengers to go from Bonsal to New Hill and back. The 6.5 mile track was acquired from the venerable Southern Train line Company and is now used solely by the museum. Fans sit in one of 2 comfy open passenger autos that are, actually, converted flat automobiles.
On a Sun., the museum brought out one of the already mentioned diesels and added 2 wood sided red cabooses and a brown bag auto to round out the set. On the chaotic museum grounds sits a US armed forces Transport Corps Tool Automobile which now homes the museum’s present shop and items.
Assorted other autos and a crane boom tender are found on site as well; some are being fastidiously revived while others are in frequent use. Now, the museum’s steam locomotive is used on a limited basis, but plans are to start using it on expeditions more often.
The railroad museum is staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers (Saturdays are workdays and talented volunteers are welcome). Train ride costs are reasonable and passengers know the fares are helping to revive a bit of train history to North Carolina while reliving it at the same time. A “G” scale model garden railroad is on site with a barbeque restaurant and adjoining picnic area. There’s lots of parking in house too.