Spencer Transporation Musem

I've always loved trains, especially the old steam engines like they used in the black & white movies of the 40's and 50's. There is just something so romantic and yet at the same time adventurous about them.

I’ve always wanted to take a trip on a train. Not just a ride from point A to B but a real trip where you get to sleep on the train. I’m sure I probably wouldn’t get much sleeping done but that’s not really my goal. I just want to experience that whole private berth, dining car, viewing car adventure.

Recently it seems that trains are gaining in popularity again, what with gas shortages and the bad economy trains are a much more economical way of movie goods and necessities from one place to another. And of course they’re showing up in movies more often again. The Harry Potter movies have the most wonderful steam engine of all time in them; big, red and shiny with all those moving pictures in the different cars.

So you can probably imagine how excited I was when my oldest daughter T told me she was dating a train engineer. I was almost scared to hope that the relationship would work out for fear of disappointment that I wouldn’t get to know more about trains and possibly get to ride a few. But things have worked out and he’s now our son-in-law and father of our new grandson.

This past weekend his company had a picnic/cookout for all their employees and the employees family members at the Spencer Transportation Museum. The museum has exhibits about all forms of transportation in NC; cars, planes, trains, hot air ballon, and even this sweety. I would love to have one of these, I would hang a basket off the handlebars to use for flowers in the summer, in the winter I would use it under the Christmas tree and put vintage toys in the basket. (hint to family)

We took a short ride in one of the trains as well. G even got to ride in the cab of the engine although I didn’t get a picture because my battery died. Another photography lesson learned.

I’m hoping we can go back this fall when it’s a bit cooler to visit the museum again because there were lots of things we didn’t get to see.

So if you’re ever in this neck of the woods and looking for something the whole family can enjoy you ought to consider the Spencer Transportation Museum.

Wouldn't an old meter like this be the coolest lawn art, I think so.