Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

We had a great time visiting Thomas the tank engine and friends during the «Day out with Thomas» event in April. We drove up from Florida and spent the day having lots of train fun. There were numerous tents set up around the museum with lots of activities including bubbles, sandbox, corn hole, Putt putt golf, jump house, and train tables. Our toddler had the best time and loved the train ride. We rode the Long Island car which was fun. The staff were amazing here and very friendly. Would definitely come back.

While classic trains and train lore might not be for everyone, my husband and I had an amazing time visiting this museum. The museum itself and the train yard are free, but there are train rides offered for a reasonable fee. The museum is one room within the stationhouse but WOW, do they have some amazing things in there. There were a number of photos of the history of the railroads in the area, which were a vital link in the various industry and mining concerns. There were also a number of pieces of equipment related to train control and driving, which my husband really liked. But my absolute favorite and something I have not seen so extensively anywhere else were the displays about the Pullman Porters, samples of the dishes and furnishings and all sorts of lovely artifacts that really gives a sense of what it was to travel by train. I poured over the menus and had to laugh — some of the items just don’t sound good anymore. The train ride itself was fun, though lots of little kids on the train. We enjoyed talking with some of the staff about the history of the area and how the RR museum has grown and changed over the years. A fun few hours and some place we would recommend to anyone who loves trains and railroad history.

Wife and I stopped by here about 10:30 in the morning on a Friday, in mid-​February. They were not open. I guess the moral to this story is to call ahead, or at least check their website for updated hours.
This place looks nicer and bigger than it did when we came here several years ago.
Hopefully I can rate them higher some day when they are open.

This is sort of hard to give a review for.
In April, Thomas the Train is here. This was great. They have little tent/​stations set up around the parking lot full of train things .
You get a paper «map» and visit each station.
At each station, you receive a stamp. Once you receive all the stamp, turn in your map for a small prize.
This was a lot of fun for our toddler. One tent was a train store and tent was a place to play with trains. Also Sit Topemhat is there to take pictures for free. You can also take your picture with Thomas.
There are regular trains that you can look at and go in. There is a tent for diaper changing.
The train cars are open. It is a short train ride through the woods. Forward and then backward. You don’t really see much other than trees. Our son really enjoyed the ride, the tents, and seeing Thomas. It was great fun.
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In December, there is the North Pole Express. You ride an enclosed train to «The North Pole.» The train cars are festively decorated inside. We were in the CNW car.
There were no stations or tents like they have for Thomas. There was no Christmas lights. They had an inflated Santa in the pavilion area in the middle of the parking lot.
We stood under a pop-​up tent and awaited boarding. Once on board, it is the same shirt train ride forward and backward.
I was disappointed with how little Christmas lights they had. There was just trees until close to the end if the ride. There was a sign that said «the North Pole»
It was mainly some inflated Snowmen, lighted deer in little labeled stables as reindeer, and few other lights. All of this was at the very end. Santa and Mrs. Claus boarded the train with some elves.
They walked the train stopping briefly at each seat to take pictures. The Santa was very real looking. The elves were older women. After Santa, some chefs bring you milk and cookies. Then you ride back to the main station.
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We drive an hour and a half to see this. We will return to see Thomas, but this will be our only trip to «the North Pole.»