CALENDAR

The Virginia Museum of Transportation, with support from the 2012-2013 Taubman Foundation Sustainability Grant, is planning an entire year of events that celebrate Road, Rail and Air! Consider signing up to receive our email newsletter or become a member. You’re not going to want to miss a minute of fun this year. We're going places!

Transportation Tuesdays
Tuesdays through May 29
Fun and educational programs for preschoolers (3- to 5-year-olds), aligned with Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning. Click here for more information, email Courtney Plaster or call 540-342-5670 ext 108.

Curtis TurnerOur NASCAR Roots: Curtis Turner
Through May
Celebrating Curtis “Pops” Turner, “King of the Wild Road” and one of NASCAR’s greatest racecar drivers! Turner learned to race while running moonshine during the Depression and went on to win races in several series including the NASCAR Convertible Division and the NASCAR Grand National Series (now the Sprint Cup).

Roanoke Rail Fest kicked off our 50th Anniversary year-long celebration!

Annual Membership Meeting
Wednesday, May 23 at noon
All members are invited to the Museum's Annual Membership Meeting. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP or call 540-342-5670.

14th Annual African American N&W Heritage Celebration
Saturday, June 16
Hosted annually by the African-American N&W Heritage Celebration Group, this event is a celebration of African Americans’ important contributions to the railroad. The event will be family-oriented during the day with music and activities. The evening will host a celebration with keynote speaker Terry N. Evans, NS Vice President of Operations Planning and Budget.

11th Annual Star City Motor Madness
Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30
Star City Motor Madness is a celebration of America’s passion for the automobile and the love of cruising. CRUISE-IN Friday night, 6 to 10pm: Classic and special interest automobiles, trucks and motorcycles cruise on Roanoke's historic strip, Williamson Road. CAR & TRUCK SHOW Saturday, 10am to 4pm: Car and truck show will be held in downtown Roanoke. Many city blocks will be set aside for the car show. Hundreds of vehicles. Featured Marque: Mustang. After market and vendor displays. Premier sponsors are Advance Auto Parts and the Williamson Road Area Business Association. Click here for more information.

Return of the 1776
Wednesday, July 4
The cosmetic restoration of the N&W Bicentennial Locomotive 1776 is complete. She will roll back into the Museum on the Fourth of July to celebrate our nation's independence. More details will be posted.

Summer Camp!
July 9 - August 3

  • Pre-K (4- to 5-year olds) ROAD, RAIL, AIR Camp: July 9-13, 9:30 - 11:30 am
  • Kindergarten-First Grade ROAD, RAIL, AIR Camp: July 16-20, 9 am - 4 pm (before and after care available)
  • Second-Third Grade ROAD, RAIL, AIR Camp: July 23-27, 9 am - 4 pm (before and after care available)
  • Fourth-Fifth Grade Junior Engineer Camp: July 30 - August 3, 9 am - 4 pm (before and after care available)

Click here for more information or to register, email Courtney Plaster or call 540-342-5670 ext 108.

Safety Day
Saturday, August 18
A day designed to encourage children and adults to stay safe and alive. Scheduled before the start of the school year, the day will feature child, traffic, pedestrian, fire and rail safety. We will help to teach children and adolescents the importance of being alert and aware of their surroundings. Local police and fire departments will participate. On display will be police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. Operation Lifesaver will be on site to promote rail safety. Rising kindergartners will be able to ride a school bus for the very first time, all while learning about how to be safe in and around school busses.

Grandparents’ Day
Saturday, September 8
Sponsored by Lanford Brothers Company, Inc.
Grandparents and grandchildren can share their love of transportation and celebrate their family ties. Free train rides, crafts, music and activities.

“Wings Over Virginia” Grand Opening!
Saturday, November 17
“Wings Over Virginia,” our newly redesigned aviation gallery, debuts with exhibits, memorabilia and stories of aviation in Virginia.

Candy Cane Express
Saturday, December 8
Our annual Holiday event. Free train rides; kids’ store where they can shop for their favorite people; crafts; Santa and music.

Look for more exciting events, too!
The Virginia Museum of Transportation is also planning an Alternative Energy Day, Antique Truck Day and an Ugly Truck Contest – and more! Stay tuned for details.

Safety Car Theatre: Now showing "Going Home"
Ongoing
"Going Home," is a documentary produced by Norfolk Southern (1983) about the N&W Class J 611. Watch the 611 being built in the Roanoke Shops, restored for excursion service in 1982, and running under her own steam. Learn why this important engine is the Pride of Roanoke! (run time: 21 minutes, suitable for all ages.) Monday - Saturday showtimes: 11 am and 2 pm. Sunday showtimes: 2 pm. Showtimes subject to change. The safety car has a narrow hallway and is not wheelchair accessible.

Rail Yard Restoration Projects
Ongoing
The Museum has begun the cosmetic restoration of several pieces of rail equipment. The following are not on display, or may be intermittently closed, while work is in progress:

  • N&W EMD SD-45 1776 has been taken to Chattanooga for painting
  • N&W M-1 Railway Post Office Car

Roanoke Valley Model Engineers
Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm
The Roanoke Valley Model Engineers' ON3, HO, and N scale layouts are located in the basement of the Museum. The entrance is on the back of the Museum just off the Rail Walk and around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket. To drive to the back of the Museum, take Salem Avenue to 1-1/2 Street at Warehouse Row, turn left and head under the 2nd Street bridge to the back of the Museum. The Club's layouts are down the stairs. For information, call Rick Anderson at Rick's Hobby Shop: 540-362-7033.

International Plastic Modelers' Society, Roanoke Valley Chapter
Second and Fourth Thursdays, 7pm
The Chapter hosts builds and business meetings each month, as well as compteing in area shows. The entrance is on the back of the Museum just off the Rail Walk and around the corner from the Jupiter Rocket. To drive to the back of the Museum, take Salem Avenue to 1-1/2 Street at Warehouse Row, turn left and head under the 2nd Street bridge to the back of the Museum. The meeting room is up the stairs. For information, email Tim Ward, Chapter President.