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Hamlet Depot & Museums
Begin your visit at Hamlet Depot & Museums, one of the most-photographed train stations in the Eastern US. Built in 1900 by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, the depot once had an attached hotel before a fire in the 1930s. Today, the beautifully restored station serves both as an active Amtrak stop and a museum showcasing the history of railroads in the North Carolina Sandhills. Step inside to explore interactive exhibits, operate a real track signal, and marvel at the HO-scale model train set, which meticulously recreates 1950s-era Hamlet, home to what was once the largest and most modern rail yard in the world.
Tornado Locomotive Building
Just across the street, the Tornado Locomotive Building houses a fully restored 1839 steam engine, the first to operate in North Carolina. Known as The Tornado, this locomotive ran between Charlotte and Wilmington and was even briefly captured by Union troops during the Civil War. The building also features antique Model A and Model T Ford cars, a historic fire engine and a valuable model train display donated by a local family.
Seaboard Station Restaurant
For lunch, stay on theme with a visit to Seaboard Station Restaurant, a converted Victorian home with railroad-inspired décor. Locals swear by the fried chicken buffet, often considered some of the best in the South.
National Railroad Museum & Hall of Fame
A few blocks away, round out your trip at the National Railroad Museum & Hall of Fame, where you’ll find priceless artifacts, historic locomotives, and paintings of famous diesel engines like the Orange Blossom Special and Silver Meteor. Step inside a full-scale caboose, then browse the gift shop for a unique railroad-themed souvenir.
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Your Trip at a Glance
Stop 1
Hamlet Depot & Museums
Stop 2
Tornado Locomotive Building
Stop 3
Seaboard Station Restaurant
Stop 4