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Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum: Alabama's Railroading Legacy

Explore Alabama's railroad heritage with vintage trains, historic exhibits, and scenic excursions at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.

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The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera, Alabama, is the state's official railroad museum, showcasing a wide array of locomotives, rolling stock, and artifacts from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s [5, 6]. Visitors can explore exhibits, restored depots, and take a ride on vintage trains through scenic Shelby County [3, 5].

A brief summary to Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for the train ride schedule and special event information, as these vary throughout the year [17].
  • Admission to the museum and gift shop is free, but donations are appreciated [2, 4].
  • Train ride tickets can be purchased online in advance [2].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is located off I-65, about 30 miles south of Birmingham [5]. Take exit 228 and turn west onto County Road 86 for approximately 0.8 miles. Then, turn left onto 9th Street. The museum will be on your left [2]. 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 dedicated to preserving and celebrating the state's rich railroad history [3, 6]. As Alabama's official railroad museum, it features an impressive collection of locomotives, passenger cars, and railway artifacts dating from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century [5, 9]. The museum's exhibits include two restored depots: the Calera Depot, which houses railroad artifact displays, and the Woodlawn Depot, home to the Boone Library, a research archive of railroad books, maps, and documents [5]. The museum's collection includes both steam and diesel locomotives, as well as a variety of rolling stock, such as cabooses, passenger coaches, and specialty equipment [9, 18]. Visitors can experience the thrill of rail travel aboard the Calera & Shelby Railroad, a heritage railway operating on a portion of the former Louisville & Nashville Alabama Mineral Railroad [2, 5]. These 75-minute excursions take passengers through the scenic forests of Shelby County [2, 16]. The museum also hosts special events throughout the year, including themed train rides, such as the North Pole Express and Wild West Day [2, 7, 15].

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