Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor

Although I did not see either the Star or the Meteor while in Selma, They are old trains that predate Amtrak.  I had the occasion to ride one between Baltimore MD and Richmond, VA as a group of my railfan buddies returned from a day trip to the B&O Museum in the early 1980's We got no pictures of the interior, however. The route, at that time was different, than today.

At that time the route for the Star and the Meteor diverged south of the SCL yard in Petersburg. Since than the CSX have removed the tracks from Peterburg to Norlina, along the old Silver Star route. It keep the trains running between Petersburg and Raleigh, route was extended south to Selma before going west. Here is a picture of the Star and Meteor going south out of the Petersburg Yard, in the early 80's

Silver Star, northbound	Silver Meteor, northbound

Note the use of F40's This was just after Amtrak bought out the Southern Crescent so a few cars were old Southern cars, not yet repainted to Amtrak colors.

Spencer Shops, NC Transportation Museum, roundhouse

After crossing the yard, we enter the old round house. Now the roundhouse serves as display space for much of the restored collection of the museum but also as repair and restoration space for the collection.

Spencer Shops, NC Transportation Museum, the exhibits

Any transportation museum has its stratagy to view and photograph. For Spencer, the train rides give you a lay of the land. A second ride allows you to take pictures, at least for me. Now comes the walk from the information center through the exhibits.
Around the yard, between the information center and the first building there are a number of exhibits. Some more permament that others.

More come between the buildings. Between the shops and out around the roundhouse, there are more than a few exhibits. In addition, many pieces are just stored until they can find a place in the exhibits

Spencer Shops, NC Transportation Museum, introduction

How can I love so close but not take a day trip to Spencer Shops, Southern's major engine facility. Now it is the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Trains are a major part of the collection. As you arrive you are greeted by Barber Junction, A Southern station move to this location, to serve as the information center for the museum.

From Barber Junction, the museum runs trains to the other end of the sight and back. Not a very long trip, but as a first impression, it will give you a lay of the land.


While on this trip, we can see the full round house and the collection. We might use the first trip to get oriented but another trip to get pictures of the layout, including items not yet in the round house.