Roanoke’s Virginia Museum of Transportation showcases the state’s rich and varied transportation history. Originally the Roanoke Transportation Museum, this museum grew into a comprehensive collection of vehicles, trains and innovations that have shaped Virginia and the broader United States.
The museum’s journey began in an old Norfolk and Western Railway freight station. In fact, much of Roanoke’s history reflects the city’s deep ties to the railroad industry. Roanoke was a major hub for the Norfolk and Western Railway. After a devastating flood in 1985, the museum relocated to its current location. Simultaneously, the museum’s collection significantly expanded. Today, it occupies a historic freight station downtown, where it preserves and celebrates the region’s transportation heritage.
Do you love transportation history? Check out the Grice Museum, The B&O Railroad Museum and Baltimore’s Historic Ships!
At the heart of the museum’s exhibits is an extensive collection of locomotives and railcars. Beyond its focus on railroads, the Virginia Museum of Transportation offers visitors a broad perspective on the history of movement.
What to Expect at the Virginia Museum of Transportation
At the museum, you’ll find iconic steam locomotives like the Norfolk and Western Class J No. 611 and the Norfolk and Western Class A No. 1218. Some of the finest examples of steam locomotives ever built, these towering machines, draw railroad enthusiasts from around the world. The museum also displays a variety of diesel and electric locomotives, cabooses and other rolling stock. As you explore the train and rail exhibits, you’ll gain a comprehensive look at the evolution of rail transport.
The Road Gallery features classic automobiles, trucks and buses, showcasing the development of road transportation through the decades. A collection of model airplanes adds an aerial dimension to the museum’s exhibits, further highlighting the breadth of transportation history covered within its walls.
Education plays a central role at the museum. With a range of programs designed for students, families and history buffs, the museum engages visitors through guided tours, workshops and hands-on activities. Interactive displays allow guests to operate model train layouts. You can also explore the interiors of historic vehicles, making the experience both educational and entertaining.
Throughout the year, the museum hosts special events that draw enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Rail festivals, car shows, and commemorative events offer unique opportunities to delve deeper into the stories behind the machines and the people who built and operated them. These events, coupled with the museum’s rotating exhibits, ensure that there is always something new to discover.
In addition to preserving the past, the museum also actively restores and maintains its collection of historic vehicles and locomotives. This dedication to preservation ensures that future generations will continue to learn from and appreciate the engineering marvels of the past.
Know Before You Go
Easily accessible in downtown Roanoke, the Virginia Museum of Transportation is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of how we move. There is ample parking on site. Plan on spending about 2 hours at the museum to fully explore all the exhibits.
Getting there: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sundays 1 – 5 p.m.
Website: Virginia Museum of Transportation
Looking for other fun things to see and do in the Roanoke Area? Check out the articles below:
- Hike to Roaring Run Falls
- Roanoke Pinball Museum
- StarCade Museum
- Taubman Art Museum
- Winslow Link Museum