Specially painted Semiquincentennial locomotives from across America are gathering at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C., this weekend for what is being billed as a once-in-a-lifetime event to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. The America 250 Locomotive Celebration opens Friday morning and runs through Sunday. 

More than two dozen railroads and organizations are represented at the event, including all six Class I railroads. Many of the locomotives are on display around the Bob Julian Roundhouse and will be rotated in and out of the shop area to provide different photo opportunities throughout the weekend. 

Locomotives from short lines and regional railroads on display in Spencer on Thursday afternoon. Photo by Otto Vondrak. 

The event is sponsored by Scale Trains, Virtual Railfan, Walthers, NCTM, Trains Magazine and White River Productions, publisher of Railfan & Railroad. 

“White River Productions is thrilled to participate with the North Carolina Transportation Museum to bring America’s 250th celebration to the forefront,” said Kevin EuDaly, owner of White River Productions and publisher of Railfan & Railroad. “This will be a rare opportunity to see a tremendous group of specially painted locomotives in one place.”

Virtual Railfan is livestreaming the event throughout the weekend. For more information, visit the event website.