SPENCER — With more activities, tickets half the price they were last year and fair weather expected, one of Rowan County’s largest annual events — Rail Days — could draw its largest crowd ever.
The 14th annual celebration of railroading history takes place Friday evening through Sunday afternoon at the N.C. Transportation Museum in downtown Spencer.
“Every year we’re looking for something new to offer at Rail Days,” said Kelly Alexander, the museum’s administrative assistant. “This year we’ve got something for all ages. You can bring the whole family.”
This year more than 80 vendors have signed up to sell and demonstrate model trains in the museum’s Roundhouse.
A dining car returns to the event this year from 1999. Visitors can cruise across the 57-acre museum site while they eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. The silver “Moultrie” is a former Atlantic Coastline dining car circa 1950.
Adults can actually help operate a diesel engine themselves, said Don Wooten, facilities and trades manager. “It’s not every day you can get up in a locomotive and operate it,” he said.
Children can color and draw in designated areas, watch a performance by Whistle Stop Willie or ride a miniature train. They can also visit impersonators in cardboard boxes and blankets who will tell how hobos hopped trains and demonstrate the language they spoke in the early 20th century.
Several groups will again compete to pull a diesel engine 100 feet — using only a rope and brute strength. Last year, a group from Gold’s Gym won by accomplishing the task in less than 24 seconds. This year that group and two others have signed up: weight lifters from North Rowan High School and Spencer’s volunteer firefighters.
An impersonator of Teddy Roosevelt will pitch for his presidential campaign, said Jemi Johnson, the museum’s public information officer. Yadkin Folklore Society, History Alive, Norfolk Southern Lawmen and others will be there. Train and caboose rides will also be offered.
During the “Parade of Power,” a series of engines will be displayed at the museum’s train turntable.
Last year, despite rain and the absence of the dining car, the event drew 2,499 visitors.
The reason tickets are half the price this year of last year’s price is because of sponsors: the Greensboro and Samuel Spencer chapters of the National Railway Historical Society, Wall Industries, Steve’s Barbecue and Chicken, Subway of Spencer and Krispy-Kreme Doughnuts are among the sponsors.
“Those sponsors are making it possible to make it affordable for everyone,” said museum Director Elizabeth Smith. “We think it will be an exciting time for everyone.”
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