When people think about the U.S. state of South Carolina, they mainly think about the beaches. You have Charleston and Fort Sumpter where the first shot of the American Civil War was fired. You have the beach towns of Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head. As many treasure the beaches, this state has a history with the railroad as well.
Welcome to the South Carolina Railroad Museum in Winnsboro, South Carolina. Yes. It has railroad cars on display. As you arrive, the first thing you will notice is the train with steam locomotive number 44 on the front, freight cars, a baggage car, rail post office, and the ‘Norfolk’ parlor car. There is also a caboose. Yes, many railroad museums have that, but there is also a gallery with railroad artifacts and model trains.
I know. Many railroad museums have all of this. Oh, they have train rides.
You have all of this at a museum that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Yes, it is a National Historic Site. Therefore, if you think that this is just another railroad museum, you will discover that it is not.
The South Carolina Railroad Museum is located at 110 Industrial Park Road in Winnsboro, South Carolina just off of U.S. Route 321 and South Carolina Route 34. It is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Trains rides take places from June to September plus on Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. The museum is free, but there is a cost to ride the train. Parking is on site.
Next time you think of South Carolina, do not just see the beach. May your way to the South Carolina Railroad Museum, another state treasure.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 