Locomotives at Virginia’s Transportation Museum

The museum showcases an extensive collection of historic locomotives, classic cars, and unique transportation artifacts that highlight Virginia’s transportation heritage. For today’s story, I will focus just on the locomotive collection.

Roanoke, Virginia was originally called Big Lick.  It was located along the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad and became a railroad hub.  The first train arrived in 1858 and the railroad company was combined a few years later into the better known Norfolk and Western Railroad and for a number years Roanoke was their headquarters.  A mock up of the Big Lick train depot is inside the museum.

In the rear of the museum is the locomotive and train car exhibits.  The locomotives in the outdoor Claytor Pavilion are available for visitor view and examination.  My favorite was the Norfolk & Western Class J #611 steam locomotive built in 1950 in Roanoke.  The 611 is considered one of the most powerful and technologically advanced steam locomotives ever built.

The Locomotive Virginia Railway Class #4 is one of only five built know as the “Four Spot” and is the only Virginia locomotive to survive today. 

Next is Locomotive 1218 which is the oldest in the museum.  There is a mural on a brick wall in the city of this famous locomotive.  The AEP and 1135 more recent engines are also on display.

The rare US 686 Panama Canal Mule was built in 1914 to pull ships through the canal. 

Next is the train conductor uniform, the central control board from 1945 that managed the movement of trains on the correct track,   And two other photos of the train management and notification offices.

Lastly, a photo of the 1594 engineer room.

Nuts and Bolts: The museum is open all year from Tuesday through Saturday10AM to 5PM and Sunday 1PM to 5PM. Admission is Adults $12, Seniors over 60 and Youth (13-17) $10, Children (3-12) $8, and Children 2 and under is free. There is plenty of free parking directly in front of the museum. Street address is 303 Norfolk Avenue SW, Roanoke Virginia 24016.