Discover Railroad History at the Wilmington Railroad Museum in North Carolina

All aboard for a railroad adventure at the Wilmington Railroad Museum in Wilmington, North Carolina. The railroad played an important role in the development of the Cape Fear Coast. Both goods and visitors were transported over the rails leading into the Wilmington area for 125 years. The Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was completed in 1840, consisted of 161 miles of railway. This rail line was the longest known continuous set of railroad in the world.

History

At the beginning of the twentieth century multiple railroad companies along the east coast merged to create the Atlantic Coast Line. Wilmington served as the headquarters for the prosperous company. The railroad was the primary source of employment in the area, and spurred the growth of business and industry. A cloud temporarily fell on Wilmington in 1960 when the Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) decided to relocate their headquarters to Jacksonville, Florida. It what was termed the largest ever relocation of employees in the southern states, ACL moved one thousand employes and their family members to the new headquarter in Florida. All of the company equipment and employee belongings were loaded onto rail cars and transported over 450 miles to a new home in the "Sunshine State."

The railroad faded from sight, but not the minds of Wilmington residents. In 1979 three local citizens started collecting memorabilia and artifacts from the Atlantic Coast Line. The collection and preservation efforts grew into a museum in 1983. An abandoned railroad freight office was brought back to life as the museum's home due to the efforts and donations of local residents. A vintage caboose, locomotive engine and boxcar were among the first exhibits at the museum. Volunteers donated hundreds of hours restoring the old building and acquiring railroad artifacts.

A railroad freight warehouse built in 1883 became the museum's home in 2007. The growing collection of artifacts and historical memorabilia prompted the move to a larger space. When guests enter the new facility they are asked to sign the guest book. Visitors to the Wilmington Railroad Museum have hailed from over twenty different countries and all fifty states.

Railroad Lore

The legend of railroad conductor, Joe Baldwin has survived the ages. As the story goes, Baldwin was a victim of a train wreck and was decapitated. Supposedly, railroad men found his body, but never recovered his head. A small Cape Fear Coast town by the name of Maco was the site of Baldwin's nightly "haunting." The "Maco Lights" were said to shine every night as the ghost of the conductor searched for his missing head. The electrical phenomenon of the unusual rays of light ceased after the old railroad tracks were removed. For decades while the brave and the curious would venture to the Maco area in hopes of catching a glimpse of the ghost.

Research from Wilmington and Manchester Railroad documents states that an accident did happen near the Hood's Creek area in Maco in 1856. The old documents also state a conductor by the name of Charles Baldwin was massively injured after a pump failure. Train engineer Nicholas Walker uncoupled the locomotive engine and started walking the rail line to determine the source of the problem. After backing up to hook the cars back with the engine a collision occurred and smashed the mail car. As a result of the collision the railroad mail agent was slightly injured and the man referred to as Charles Baldwin was ejected from the caboose. Railroad investigators concluded that the conductor's death was of his own doing, because he didn't hang a lantern from the caboose signaling it's position. The report further states that Baldwin survived his head wound and was transported to a hospital in New York. The documented accident occurs a decade before the Joe Baldwin legend supposedly occurred. No one knows for sure if the legend of the headless conductor is a distorted version of this accident, or a different case entirely.

Exhibits

ACL Locomotive Engine #250 was removed from service in 1950, and is now a part of the outdoor attractions at the Wilmington Railroad Museum. The engine was donated to the museum in 1983and underwent a major restoration process after arriving on-site.

Outdoor rail stock exhibits are definitely a hands-on experience. Visitors can climb aboard an old fashioned red caboose, the steam engine and even a boxcar adorned with its' very own "hobo."

Indoor museum displays depict Wilmington's railroad history. Take a gander at the mannequin adorned in an old ACL engineer's garb and learn about what a railroad workday entailed. Browse the glass displays filled with historical photos, brakeman's tools and artifacts from the railroad dining car. Walk up to the restored ticket counter and wonder what it was like to be heading out to far away places for Wilmington citizens of the late 1800's. You will get a feel for the exciting hustle and bustle of a railroad station when you visit the shoeshine stand, baggage scales area, railroad office and join a gathering around the old coal stove.

Model railroad displays draw the attention of young and old alike. The lifelike models showcase Lionel brand O-scale weaving around mountains and waterways. HO and N scale displays also depict turn of the century rail travel amid a backdrop of realistic North Carolina flora and fauna.

The Children's Play Area awaits the energy and excitement of curious youngsters. Sturdy train play tables and miniature train caboose encourage creative play and photo opportunities.

Wilmington's Railroad Museum also offers a gift shop with plenty of railroad themed keepsakes, history based periodicals, educational games, toys and videos.

Tours

The railroad museum is open for public tours year around. From the first of April through September 15. Visitors can explore the facility Monday through Saturday from 10 am. - 4 pm. and from 1 pm. to 5 pm. on Sundays. From September 16 through April 14 the museum is closed n Sunday. The museum is also closed on major holidays.