06-24-2012, 05:19 PM
I have plans on going and taking my boys, but we'll see what happens to the schedule between now and the show date. Ironically, I might not take any pictures. I know there are going to be plenty of guys who can take really great pictures and post them to the various websites...so I might take a few shots and leave it to the experts to get the better ones.
For those who might be going and not familiar with the local area, access from I-85 is very easy and there is good signage leading you to/from the museum. I'd guess it's only a 7 minute drive from I-85 to the museum gates. The whole museum is not a huge complex, but there are interesting things to see all around the facility. The gift shop is well stocked with all sorts of RR memorabilia so bring your money! Wear good walking shoes and expect to be in the sun from time to time. Most of the areas are paved, so there's very little grass you'd need to traverse. If memory serves, there was no food offered at the museum, but there is a great "hole in the wall" restaurant across the street from the museum building with good food (basic burger and fries sort of place) at a very reasonable price. (If I remember correctly, their shakes are made the ole 'fashioned way with real ice cream.) There is also a great train store next to the restaurant called "The Little Choo Choo Shop" that has everything you'd ever need for modeling all scales from Z to G. Their main focus is HO and N, but they have a great amount of O and Lionel products as well. Plus a good number of fire engines for those who might collect them. Reasonable prices are found throughout the store, with the exception of Southern and some NS engines that tend to be closer to full MSRP. There's several gas stations near the museum if you need to gas up for the drive home. My suggestion is to bring a cooler full of drinks, and go back and forth to your car as needed for refreshments. It's worth the experience to eat at that little restaurant and look across the street at the museum.
Hope this helps!
For those who might be going and not familiar with the local area, access from I-85 is very easy and there is good signage leading you to/from the museum. I'd guess it's only a 7 minute drive from I-85 to the museum gates. The whole museum is not a huge complex, but there are interesting things to see all around the facility. The gift shop is well stocked with all sorts of RR memorabilia so bring your money! Wear good walking shoes and expect to be in the sun from time to time. Most of the areas are paved, so there's very little grass you'd need to traverse. If memory serves, there was no food offered at the museum, but there is a great "hole in the wall" restaurant across the street from the museum building with good food (basic burger and fries sort of place) at a very reasonable price. (If I remember correctly, their shakes are made the ole 'fashioned way with real ice cream.) There is also a great train store next to the restaurant called "The Little Choo Choo Shop" that has everything you'd ever need for modeling all scales from Z to G. Their main focus is HO and N, but they have a great amount of O and Lionel products as well. Plus a good number of fire engines for those who might collect them. Reasonable prices are found throughout the store, with the exception of Southern and some NS engines that tend to be closer to full MSRP. There's several gas stations near the museum if you need to gas up for the drive home. My suggestion is to bring a cooler full of drinks, and go back and forth to your car as needed for refreshments. It's worth the experience to eat at that little restaurant and look across the street at the museum.
Hope this helps!
Mark
Citation Latitude Captain
--and--
Lt Colonel, USAF (Retired)
Citation Latitude Captain
--and--
Lt Colonel, USAF (Retired)