If you have a train lover in your family we have all the info you’ll need to make the most of an afternoon at the Hub City Railroad Museum! Our review includes a brief history of the Hub City, some history and details about this free museum, and when to go.
Hub City Railroad Museum: Quick Facts
- Location: Historic Southern Railway Depot, 298 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, SC 29306
- Hours: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (closed on some major holidays)
- Admission: Free — donations accepted and appreciated
- Ages: All ages (a favorite for young train lovers)
- Highlights: Restored red caboose with a working model train, trackside observation deck for Norfolk Southern & Amtrak trains, operating telegraph, locomotive bell and whistle
- Contact: (864) 278-4453 | hubcityrrmuseum.org
If you’ve spent any time in downtown Spartanburg, you’ll probably have noticed the nickname Hub City used frequently.
Starting in the late 1800s, seven train lines fanned out from the city’s center, similar to the hub of a wheel. By the 20th century, Spartanburg was a major transportation hub. The cars that passed through the city carried everything from passengers to the textiles manufactured here to places all over the country.
About the Hub City Railroad Museum
The Hub City Railroad Museum is housed in the historic Magnolia Street Station. The station was originally built in 1915 and served as a packaging services facility for the Southern Express Company. While the station outlived all the other train station structures on the property, it has seen its share of problems. In 1996 it was damaged by a fire and was most likely headed for demolition. A young man stepped in and, through a letter-writing and public awareness campaign, he managed to save the historic building that now houses the museum.
Inside you’ll find a display of items from the rich history of the Hub City. The textile mills, peach industry, and more are represented along with a lot of the actual items from the original train station.
The item that most caught my seven-year-old’s attention was the replica model of the original station. The replica, which took two men 700 hours to complete, shows in historically accurate detail what the station originally looked like.
Something that is sure to be the highlight of your museum visit, for children and adults alike, is the red caboose that is next to the station. The caboose has lived an interesting life! The little red caboose, which was built right here in Spartanburg in the 1940’s, spent almost 30 years in service. It was donated to a Boy Scout troop, abandoned, and almost became a hot dog stand at the beach before being restored and finding its home at the museum.
The caboose underwent some major renovations years ago. It’s now air-conditioned and contains a working model train, railway videos, and more railway artifacts.
The model train is definitely a favorite of children visiting the museum.
You can even stand on the trackside observation deck to view the 40-something trains that pass by the station on any given day. It’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be there to see one of the Norfolk Southern trains come through. Plus, the station is still an active Amtrak stop.
If you don’t already have a train lover in your home, the museum might create one!
Visit the Hub City Railroad Museum
The Hub City Railroad Museum is run by volunteers from the Carolina Railroad Heritage Association.
298 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg | 864.278.4453
Wednesdays & Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm
Admission is free but donations are accepted and sincerely appreciated.
Hub City Railroad Museum FAQs
What are the Hub City Railroad Museum’s hours?
The museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It closes on some major holidays, so it’s worth checking ahead before you go.
How much does it cost to visit?
Admission is free. Donations are accepted and sincerely appreciated to help the volunteers keep the museum running.
Where is the museum located?
It’s in the Historic Southern Railway Depot at 298 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. You can reach the museum at (864) 278-4453.
What will kids see there?
Highlights include a restored red caboose with a working model train, a trackside observation deck for watching Norfolk Southern and Amtrak trains, an operating telegraph, a locomotive bell and steam whistle, and a detailed replica of the original station.
What is your family’s favorite thing about the Hub City Railroad Museum?
Thank you for the article about the Hub City RR Museum. It should be noted that the museum is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10AM to 2PM. The phone number to call for further information is 864-963-4739. While admission is free we never refuse (and sincerely appreciate) donations.
Hub City Railroad Museum
Is their a certain age limit for kids? Because I’m a home visitor and we try to find things to do with our kids that are free during the summer.
If the caboose is open then all ages, but if it’s more suited for older children. We do have a list of free/inexpensive things to do which you might find helpful. https://kiddingaroundspartanburg.com/free-things-to-do-in-spartanburg/ & https://kiddingaroundspartanburg.com/50-free-or-cheap-things-to-do-this-summer-near-spartanburg/