About the North Carolina Railway Museum
The North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc. (NCRM) is an educationally focused, IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in North Carolina. Our mission is to preserve and share North Carolina’s railroad history with the public.
The museum and railway are operated entirely by volunteer members. We are especially proud of our work with school groups, children, seniors, visitors with special needs, and countless others who come from across North Carolina, the U.S., and beyond.
Our Mission
To educate current and future generations about the science, technology, and development of America’s railroads while preserving the heritage of railroading and its impact on the land, people, and industries of North Carolina and our nation.
Our Core Values
- Restore – rebuilding and presenting to our visitors and communities historic railroading equipment in working condition in all its original power, glory and pride
- Preserve – bringing awareness and understanding of the heritage of railroading and its impact on our culture and society with an emphasis of a more sustainable tomorrow for all
- Engage – enriching the lives of our visitors, members, and community through our full-scale, live demonstration of railroading with all its excitement, knowledge and skills
Commitment to Inclusion
NCRM does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, visitors, and partners.
Our History
- 1963–1982: Founded as the East Carolina Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS), the group began collecting and preserving railroad equipment in Greenville, NC, later relocating to Farmville.
- 1982: Acquired historic railroad property in Bonsal, NC, from the Southern Railway.
- 2008: Adopted the current name, North Carolina Railway Museum, Inc., to better reflect our mission.
Today, NCRM remains a proud NRHS chapter and continues its long tradition of rail preservation and education.
What You’ll Experience
NCRM is an open-air museum with exhibits and equipment dating back to the 1910s, including:
- Two steam locomotives and more than six diesel engines
- Covered open-air passenger excursion cars
- A working G-scale garden railroad
- Numerous artifacts of North Carolina railroad history
The museum is designed to reflect a 1950s-era short line railroad.
We also operate the New Hope Valley Railway (NHVR)—affectionately called “The Triangle’s Train.” Visitors enjoy an hour-long, 4-mile round trip through piney woods and across a trestle between Bonsal and New Hill. Some ride days also feature food, drinks, music, and family entertainment.
Preservation in Action
All NHVR ticket revenues and donations directly support museum operations and projects, such as:
- Preserving the 1884 Goldston depot
- Returning a historic sawmill to working order
- Restoring two steam locomotives
- Expanding facilities to protect and display our growing collection
Get Involved
For more than 40 years in Bonsal, NCRM volunteers have been creating memorable experiences for our visitors. As an educational non-profit, we are dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of North Carolina railroads with generations to come.
We invite new members to join us and become active volunteers—no matter your background or skill set, there’s a place for you here. While prior railroad experience is a plus, it’s not required. We provide training for a variety of roles, including car hosts, tour guides, brakemen, conductors, and even engineers. Visit our Membership page to learn more.
Support & Transparency
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Copies of our IRS determination letter and annual Form 990 filings are available online or upon request.
NCRM Non-Profit Documents: