Photo by APK, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
About Wilmington Railroad Museum
Static museum (former ACL freight office) with restored Atlantic Coast Line steam locomotive #250 (1910 Baldwin) and caboose on outdoor display. Walk-through exhibits, model layouts, kids' Lionel layout; ticketed museum admission via FareHarbor — no on-rail passenger rides.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Railroad museum
- Location
- NC
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ 911 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Wilmington 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
- Parking
- Free lot · street parking
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Good For
- All ages
- Hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
History
See full history
The Wilmington Railroad Museum occupies a former Atlantic Coast Line freight office in Wilmington, North Carolina, a city woven into ACL history: the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad completed its line between Weldon and Wilmington in 1840, the system's oldest inherited shop site stood in the city and dated to that same year, and Wilmington remained the Atlantic Coast Line's headquarters until the railroad began moving to Jacksonville, Florida in 1956, completing the relocation in 1960. The museum keeps that legacy alive as a static collection rather than an excursion operation, anchored by restored ACL steam locomotive No. 250, built by Baldwin in 1910, which is displayed outdoors with a caboose, while indoor galleries hold walk-through exhibits and model layouts, including a Lionel layout for kids.
Around the Depot
Wilmington is a historic port city of about 115,000 between the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean in North Carolina's New Hanover County. Founded in the 1730s, the colonial-era port centers its downtown on a 1.75-mile riverwalk, with the battleship USS North Carolina moored across from the port area, the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, the Bellamy Mansion, and the April Azalea Festival. Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure beaches lie close by, and since 1984 the city has been a major center of American film and television production.
The Cotton ExchangeAttraction·★ 4.5 (3786)3 min walkDirections →Urban Goods and GardenGift Shop·★ 5 (6)4 min walkDirections →Port City Pottery & Fine CraftsGift Shop·★ 4.9 (60)4 min walkDirections →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.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.