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Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum: Alabama's Railroading Heritage

Explore Alabama's railroad history at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera: vintage trains, scenic rides, and family-friendly events!

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The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera, Alabama, is the state's official railroad museum, dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating historically significant railway equipment [4]. Visitors can explore locomotives, rolling stock, and artifacts from the late 1800s to the 1950s, and experience train rides through the scenic forests of Shelby County [2, 4].

A brief summary to Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

  • Tuesday 9 am-2 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-2 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-2 pm
  • Friday 9 am-2 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-3:30 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for the train ride schedule and special event dates, as they vary throughout the year [7].
  • Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled train departure to allow time for parking, exploring the museum grounds, and picking up your tickets [15].
  • Consider purchasing tickets online in advance, especially for special events, as they tend to sell out quickly [3, 6].
  • The museum is primarily open Tuesdays through Saturdays, March through December. Check the website for specific hours [2, 7].
  • Admission to the museum itself is free, but donations are appreciated. Train rides and special events have varying ticket prices [2, 3, 7].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is located off I-65, approximately 30 miles south of Birmingham. Take exit 228 and turn west onto County Road 86 for about 0.8 miles. Turn left onto 9th Street before the CSX railroad crossing. The museum will be on your left [3]. Parking is available on-site. Parking is free.

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Discover more about Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, located in Calera, Alabama, is a treasure trove for railroad enthusiasts and history buffs alike [4]. As Alabama's official state railroad museum, it's committed to preserving, restoring, and operating railway equipment that played a significant role in the state's and nation's development [4, 13, 14]. The museum's collection includes a wide array of locomotives, passenger cars, and other railroad artifacts dating from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century [2, 4]. Visitors can explore two historic depots, the Calera depot (formerly Wilton depot), which houses railroad artifact displays, and the Woodlawn Freight Depot, home to the Boone Library with its extensive collection of railroad books, maps, and documents [4, 12]. One of the main attractions is the Calera & Shelby Railroad, operating diesel-powered excursion trains on a 5.5-mile section of the former Louisville & Nashville Railroad [3, 4]. These rides offer a nostalgic trip through the forested countryside of Shelby County [3, 10]. The museum also features the Shelby & Southern Railroad, a narrow-gauge steam train that was formerly the Birmingham Zoo park train [4, 12, 15]. Throughout the year, the museum hosts special events such as the Easter Egg-spress, Mother's Day and Father's Day specials, Pumpkin Junction, the North Pole Express, and more [3, 5, 9]. These events provide fun and educational experiences for families and individuals of all ages [13]. The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum began as the Heart of Dixie Railroad Club in Birmingham in 1962, with the goal of preserving railroad history [4, 12]. Over the years, the museum has grown to include numerous exhibits, operating railroads, and educational programs, all thanks to the dedication of volunteers and community support [11, 12, 15].

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