Historic C&O Depot in Clifton Forge, Virginia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Clifton Forge, Virginia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Depot museumOpen Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm, through December 20, 2026; closed for winter until March 12, 2027

Built in 1895 for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, the Clifton Forge freight depot has been fully restored by the C&O Historical Society and now holds the indoor exhibits of its C&O Railway Heritage Center, on eight acres of the railroad's former Smith Creek Yard.

  • Freight depot built in 1895
  • Eight acres of old yard
  • C&O steam locomotive No. 614
  • Operating O-scale layout
  • Scavenger hunts PreK to grade 7
  • Run by the C&O Historical Society

Historic C&O Depot at a glance

Hours
Friday to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm, through December 20, 2026; closed December 21, 2026 to March 11, 2027
Admission
Not posted online; call 540-862-8653. Group discounts available
Plan for
About 1 to 2 hours
Best for
Rail fans and families with school-age kids
Best ages
Preschool to about age 12

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Historic C&O Depot? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Clifton Forge.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

A freight house in the town that kept the C&O moving

Clifton Forge began as Jackson's River Station, the point at the foot of Alleghany Mountain that the Virginia Central Railroad reached in 1856. That line was one of the roots of the Chesapeake & Ohio, which grew from the Louisa Railroad of 1836 and roughly 150 smaller companies into the system that reached its height in the 1950s and 1960s.

The town became one of the busiest places on the C&O. Locomotives were serviced here before climbing west over the Alleghanies or heading east over the Blue Ridge and down the James River. A small crescent of land beside the Jackson River held a big locomotive shop, a coal classification yard, a yard for less than carload freight, an icing plant, the railroad's main laundry, a coach yard and the division headquarters. The C&O Historical Society calls it an archetypal American railroad town.

The freight depot went up in 1895 and stands on what was once the C&O's Smith Creek Yard. The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society restored it fully and made it the centerpiece of the C&O Railway Heritage Center, an eight-acre museum, education and visitor center that tells the story of the railway's people, places and technology, and of Clifton Forge itself.

The Society says the center also exists to honor everyone who built the railroads and everyone who still keeps the country moving by rail. Its plan is to restore every piece of equipment it owns as resources allow, which is why some cars sit in storage while others gleam.

Exhibits inside the depot, rail cars on the yard tracks

Inside the 1895 depot you will find the center's indoor exhibits on C&O history and an operating O-scale model railroad. Outside, the grounds of the old yard hold the Society's rolling stock, and visitors can look over both the restored pieces and the ones still waiting their turn. Staff explain the cars and locomotives whenever they can, and photography is welcome.

The restored collection is open for viewing inside and out. It includes Greenbrier type steam locomotive No. 614, built by Lima in 1948; GP7 road switcher No. 6858 from 1952; an SD40 freight diesel from 1971 returned to its original look; the dining car Gadsby's Tavern; combination car No. 458; the Pullman sleeper City of Petoskey; and two steel cabooses, Nos. 90219 and 3168. Wooden caboose No. 90382, built in 1881, is awaiting full restoration.

Don’t miss

  1. C&O No. 614A 4-8-4 Greenbrier type built by Lima Locomotive Works in June 1948, it pulled C&O passenger trains until 1952 and later ran in excursion service.
  2. Dining car Gadsby's TavernIt ran on the George Washington, which the Society calls the world's first long-distance air-conditioned train, and is restored with its 1932 interior.
  3. Combination car No. 458Built in 1926, it spent its last 20 years of service on the mixed train between Clifton Forge and Hot Springs.
  4. Pullman sleeper City of PetoskeyA 1950 car with ten roomettes and six double bedrooms; the C&O ran 55 sleepers of this type.
  5. Three generations of caboosesCompare red steel caboose No. 90219 from 1929, No. 3168 from 1969 with its extended vision cupola, and wooden No. 90382 from 1881.
  6. The O-scale layoutAn operating model railroad inside the depot, a good indoor stop for small visitors.

Cabooses, a model railroad and a grade-by-grade hunt

Several restored cars, including both steel cabooses and the Pullman sleeper, can be seen inside as well as out, so kids get to step into the spaces railroaders actually used. The operating O-scale layout in the depot is an easy favorite for little ones.

The Society publishes scavenger hunts for PreK and kindergarten and for each grade from 1 to 7, which you can download before you go and use on the grounds. The outdoor picnic shelter makes a handy lunch stop.

Plan your visit: tips for Historic C&O Depot

  • Check the season: the center is closed in winter and keeps different days in spring, summer and fall.
  • Download the scavenger hunt for your child's grade before you leave home.
  • Groups and events can be arranged outside regular hours with advance reservations.
  • Bring a camera; photography is welcome around the equipment.
  • Use 705 Main St for the museum; the Society's office on E. Ridgeway St is by appointment only.

The historical society behind the depot

The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society owns and runs the Heritage Center, restores the equipment as funds allow, and sells books and gifts through ChessieShop.com. Visitors can help by booking a group tour, holding an event in the Gadsby's Tavern dining car, or buying from the Society's shop, and the center welcomes questions at cohs@cohs.org.

More rail history within an hour of Clifton Forge

Roanoke is about 38 miles away and has three stops on this site: the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the O. Winston Link Museum and the N&W Historical Society Archives. Across the state line, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about 40 miles off. See all of Virginia's train museums for more.

Every train museum in Virginia

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

The C&O built its way west through four tunnels over the Blue Ridge, and one of them, the Blue Ridge Tunnel, ran 4,263 feet. Imagine sitting in a coach in all that dark. In our book, Rally rides with Mom and Dad into a tunnel, and then comes a big bright light and happy cheers. My kids are learning to read now, and I love picturing them sounding out that page. You can print the tunnel scene from our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Historic C&O Depot?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Historic C&O Depot in Clifton Forge: 20 questions answered

What is the Historic C&O Depot in Clifton Forge?

It is the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway's freight depot, built in 1895 and fully restored by the Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society. Today it is the main building of the C&O Railway Heritage Center, a museum and visitor center that holds indoor exhibits, while restored locomotives and cars sit on the surrounding eight acres of the old Smith Creek Yard.

Where is the C&O depot in Clifton Forge?

The C&O Railway Heritage Center, home of the restored depot, is at 705 Main St, Clifton Forge, Virginia 24422. Do not confuse it with the Society's headquarters at 312 E. Ridgeway St, which is an office open by appointment only on weekdays. For directions or questions, call the center at 540-862-8653 or the Society at 540-862-2210.

What are the C&O Heritage Center hours in Clifton Forge?

As of October 2026, the center is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm through December 20, 2026, then closed from December 21 to March 11, 2027. In 2026 it opened Friday to Sunday in spring and Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, in summer. Groups and events can be arranged at other times.

Is the Clifton Forge C&O museum open in winter?

No. The C&O Railway Heritage Center closes each winter. As of October 2026, the closed period runs from December 21, 2026 through March 11, 2027. The Society notes that it is always open for events and groups with advance arrangements, so call 540-862-8653 if you are planning a group visit during the off season.

How much does it cost to visit the C&O Railway Heritage Center?

The Society does not post general admission prices online. Call the center at 540-862-8653 or email cohs@cohs.org to ask about current prices before your visit. Group discounts are available for groups that reserve ahead, and docent-led tours can be arranged for schools, clubs and other organized groups.

What trains are on display at the Clifton Forge depot?

The restored collection includes C&O steam locomotive No. 614, GP7 diesel No. 6858, a 1971 SD40 freight diesel, the dining car Gadsby's Tavern, combination car No. 458, the Pullman sleeper City of Petoskey, and steel cabooses Nos. 90219 and 3168. Wooden caboose No. 90382, built in 1881, awaits full restoration, and other cars wait in storage.

Can you go inside the train cars at the C&O Heritage Center?

Yes, for the fully restored pieces. The Society says its restored equipment is available for viewing inside and out, and staff explain the cars and locomotives whenever possible. Equipment still waiting for restoration can be seen from outside. Photography is welcome throughout, so bring a camera for the cabooses and the sleeping car.

What is C&O 614?

C&O No. 614 is a 4-8-4 Greenbrier type steam locomotive built by Lima Locomotive Works in June 1948. It pulled C&O passenger trains until 1952 and later worked in excursion service. It is one of the fully restored pieces at the Heritage Center, and the Society notes it is currently painted for a special purpose.

When was the Clifton Forge freight depot built?

The C&O freight depot in Clifton Forge was built in 1895. It sits on eight acres that were once part of the C&O's Smith Creek Yard. The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society restored the building completely, and it now houses the Heritage Center's indoor exhibits along with an operating O-scale model railroad.

Why was Clifton Forge important to the C&O Railway?

Clifton Forge was where C&O locomotives were serviced before heading west over the Alleghany Mountains or east over the Blue Ridge and down the James River. The town held a major locomotive shop, a coal classification yard, an icing plant, the railroad's main laundry, a coach yard and the division headquarters, all on a narrow strip beside the Jackson River.

Is the Historic C&O Depot good for kids?

Yes, especially for kids who like to see real equipment up close. They can look inside restored cabooses and passenger cars and watch the operating O-scale layout in the depot. The Society offers downloadable scavenger hunts for PreK and kindergarten and for grades 1 through 7, which turn the visit into a game.

Does the C&O Heritage Center have a model train layout?

Yes. The restored 1895 freight depot includes an operating O-scale model railroad among its indoor exhibits. It is a good stop for younger children and a nice break from walking the outdoor equipment. If your child has their heart set on watching it run, call 540-862-8653 ahead to ask.

Can you ride a train at the Clifton Forge C&O museum?

The Heritage Center does not list train rides among its offerings. It is a museum and visitor center where you walk among restored locomotives and cars and visit the exhibits in the depot. If you want a ride, the Society's website and phone line at 540-862-8653 are the best places to ask about any special events.

Can I have a birthday party at the C&O Heritage Center?

Yes. The restored C&O dining car Gadsby's Tavern seats up to 40 people and can be booked for birthday parties, reunions, anniversaries, meetings and lunches, with catering available. An outdoor picnic shelter also holds 40. All group events need advance reservations; call 540-862-8653 or email cohs@cohs.org to plan one.

Does the Clifton Forge depot offer group and school tours?

Yes. Docent-led group tours usually last about an hour and cover the major exhibits on display, and the guide can tailor the length to your group's interests. Group discounts are available and all groups must reserve ahead. Teachers can download scavenger hunts written for PreK through grade 7 to use on the grounds.

How long should I plan to spend at the C&O Heritage Center?

Plan on one to two hours. A docent-led group tour of the major exhibits usually takes about an hour, and families who want to look inside the restored cars, watch the O-scale layout and finish a scavenger hunt will want extra time. Add a picnic at the outdoor shelter if the weather is good.

What was the Gadsby's Tavern dining car?

Gadsby's Tavern is a C&O dining car that ran on the railroad's George Washington passenger train starting in 1932. The Society describes that train as the world's first long-distance air-conditioned train. The car is restored to its 1950 exterior and 1932 interior and can be booked for private events for up to 40 people.

Who runs the C&O Railway Heritage Center?

The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society runs it. The Society preserves C&O history, keeps a rolling stock collection that it restores as resources allow, and sells books and gifts through ChessieShop.com. Note that the Society has no railroad employee records or genealogical data, though its C&O Tracks magazine has carried some articles about C&O employees.

Where does the C&O Railway's history begin?

The C&O traces its roots to the Louisa Railroad of Louisa County, Virginia, begun in 1836, and to the James River and Kanawha Canal Company of 1785. The Louisa Railroad became the Virginia Central, which reached Jackson's River Station, later Clifton Forge, in 1856. By its peak, the C&O combined about 150 smaller lines.

What other train museums are near Clifton Forge?

Roanoke, about 38 miles away, has the Virginia Museum of Transportation, the O. Winston Link Museum and the N&W Historical Society Archives. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia is about 40 miles away, and Staunton, about 47 miles away, has the Virginia Scenic Railway and its historic train station.

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Kelsey Cecil
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