Photo by Idawriter, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
About Crewe Railroad Museum
The Crewe Railroad Museum occupies the town's former Norfolk & Western passenger station, which later served Amtrak, in a community the N&W founded in 1888 around its steam locomotive repair shops. Inside is a permanent model train layout along with a handful of rolling stock, while Norfolk Southern coal trains still work the rail yard that keeps Crewe a railroad town. The museum is open year-round.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Railroad museum
- Location
- VA
- Rating
- 4.5 ★ 160 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Crewe Railroad Museum. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Season
- Year-round
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Good For
- All ages
- Hours
- Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: ClosedFriday: ClosedSaturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Find the Depot
History
See full history
Crewe exists because of the railroad. The Norfolk & Western founded the town in 1888 as a central location for its steam locomotive repair shops, laid out the street pattern at the same time, and named the new community for the English railway town of Crewe in Cheshire. The repair facility's importance fell away sharply in the 1950s, when the switch to diesel-electric locomotives required far less labor and equipment than steam, though the railroad — now Norfolk Southern — still operates a rail yard here for east-west trains carrying Appalachian coal to Hampton Roads for export. The Crewe Railroad Museum, at 125 Carolina Street, keeps that heritage in view from inside the town's former Norfolk & Western passenger station, which later served Amtrak; it features a permanent model train layout and a handful of rolling stock, and is open year-round.
Around the Depot
Crewe is a town of about 2,300 in Nottoway County, Virginia, where Norfolk Southern maintains a rail yard for east-west trains hauling Appalachian coal toward Hampton Roads. The Battle of Sayler's Creek — the last major Civil War engagement before the Army of Northern Virginia's surrender at Appomattox Court House — took place nearby, and noted Baptist missionary Lottie Moon is buried in the town cemetery. Crewe holds an annual chicken festival each June, and the larger shopping towns of Blackstone and Farmville are a short drive away.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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