Available dates and times:
The Birthday Caboose is offered on most Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
and Sundays from 1 – 3 p.m.
In November through December 25, there are no Birthday Caboose rentals due to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
December 26-31, the Birthday Caboose is offered from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
In January and February, the Birthday Caboose is offered only on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Black-out dates apply.
Reservations are required at least 10 days in advance,
and non-refundable payment is due upon reservation.
*Times are subject to change
Please Note:
Admission prices to the museum may change or be subject to premium pricing due to special events. Before booking your Birthday Caboose, please review the Calendar of Events.
Birthday Caboose Pricing*
(per additional guest)
| Membership Pricing | $125 |
| Non-Member Pricing | $150 |
Museum Admission is NOT included in the caboose rental. For those who wish to visit the museum, tickets must be purchased at the Barber Junction Visitor Center upon arrival. Prices are listed below.
General Admission Tickets*
$6 for Adults
$5 for Seniors (65+)/Military**
$4 for Children 3-12 years of age
General Admission + Train Ride Tickets*
$12 for Adults
$10 for Seniors (65+)/Military**
$8 for Children 3-12 years of age
Kids under 3 are free and do not require a ticket. Members are free.
Groups of 15 or more can enjoy group rates when all tickets are purchased by one person in a single transaction.
Birthday Caboose
Create a memorable event for your little engineer with a birthday celebration on an authentic, operating train caboose. Our cabooses accommodate up to 15 people with seating on the main level and in the cupola. Decorate the caboose with your own personal style, bring desserts and other treats to enjoy during the ride, and open presents all while experiencing a train ride on the caboose. Enjoy visiting the museum (additional admission charge paid upon arrival), and plan a picnic in the shelters or in your own pop-up tent to expand the party outdoors.
You and your guests will hop-on-board one of the historic cabooses at the Barber Junction Visitor Center.
Birthday Party Package Includes:
- 2 hours for the party in one of our historic cabooses
- Two 25-minute train ride for 15 passengers per ride in an authentic vintage train caboose.
- Birthday Caboose t-shirt for the birthday child.
Museum Admission is NOT included in the caboose rental. For those who wish to visit the museum, tickets must be purchased at the Barber Junction Visitor Center upon arrival. Prices are listed below.
For date availability and more information, please contact Elaine Holden at 704-464-4074 or email elaine.holden@nctransportationmuseum.org.
Available dates and times:
The Birthday Caboose is offered on most Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
and Sundays from 1 – 3 p.m.
In November through December 25, there are no Birthday Caboose rentals due to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
December 26-31, the Birthday Caboose is offered from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
In January and February, the Birthday Caboose is offered only on Saturdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Black-out dates apply.
Reservations are required at least 10 days in advance,
and non-refundable payment is due upon reservation.
*Times are subject to change
Please Note:
Admission prices to the museum may change or be subject to premium pricing due to special events. Before booking your Birthday Caboose, please review the Calendar of Events.
Group Rates
(not available on special event days)
For groups of 15 or more when all tickets are purchased by one person in a single transaction.
Admission Only*
(per additional guest)
| Adults | $5.00 |
| Seniors (65+)/Military** | $4.50 |
| Children (Ages 3-12) | $2.50 |
Admission & Train Rides*
(per additional guest)
| Adults | $10.00 |
| Seniors (65+)/Military** | $9.00 |
| Children (Ages 3-12) | $5.00 |
*These rates do not include sales tax & fees.
**Must present approved ID along with ticket for entry. Limit 1 per military ID.
Notes:
In order to board the caboose, riders must be able to climb steps onto and off the caboose.
The N.C. Transportation Museum cabooses are not wheelchair accessible due to the use of historic and antiquated rail passenger equipment, which is exempt from ADA regulations under US Code: Title 42: Section 12184.
Additional Opportunities to Enjoy the Museum:
Turntable rides are available outside the Bob Julian Roundhouse for $1 per person and can be purchased at the Barber Junction Visitor Center upon arrival or at the Orientation Room in the Roundhouse.
TURNTABLE RIDES SCHEDULE FOR SATURDAYS:
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
TURNTABLE RIDES SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAYS:
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
Experience a ride on the 1924 turntable, the centerpiece of railroad operations at the largest remaining roundhouse in North America. The turntable was used to move steam locomotives to and from the 37-bay Bob Julian Roundhouse when they were brought in for maintenance and to turn them around between runs. Unlike diesel locomotives, steam locomotives were designed to pull trains in only one direction, making the turntable a necessary part of operations at railroad yards like Spencer. Still in operation today, this Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark is used to position locomotives and rail cars for display and for use on the museum’s passenger trains. Take a spin as the turntable operator explains the history of this 100 foot long rotating bridge and its importance to the operation of Southern Railway’s Spencer Shops and today’s North Carolina Transportation Museum.
Looking for additional space to extend your party? For additional information and bookings, contact Mark Deaton at 980-305-6273 or mark.deaton@dncr.nc.gov
- Two picnic shelters are available–rental for each shelter $75 for 6 hours
- Master Mechanic’s Office features 2 conference rooms with space for up to 25 people—each one rents for $50.00 for 6 hours.
*Black-out dates apply
Interested in getting some birthday gear? We have items like our children’s engineer hats and birthday boxes! Available through our Gift Station on-site and online!
