Selma Historic Union Station, North Carolina

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Selma, North Carolina · Updated October 19, 2026 · 9 min read

Depot museumFreeWaiting room open daily 10 am to 5 pm

Selma Historic Union Station is a 1924 depot, fully restored in 2002, that still serves Amtrak passengers and displays exhibits and memorabilia on railroad history and the Town of Selma.

  • Built in 1924
  • Restored in fall 2002
  • Active Amtrak station
  • Rail and Selma history exhibits
  • Free parking
  • Near I-95 Exit 98

Selma Historic Union Station at a glance

Hours
Passenger waiting room open daily, 10 am to 5 pm, as of October 2026
Admission
Not posted online; the station does not list an admission charge
Plan for
30 minutes to an hour
Best for
Rail fans, Amtrak riders and I-95 road-trippers
Parking
Ample free short-term and long-term parking
Accessibility
Amtrak lists an accessible platform; no wheelchair is available on site.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Selma Historic Union Station? 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 Selma.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

A 1924 junction depot brought back to life

Selma's Union Station was built in 1924, and as a union station it served more than one rail line, which is why trains still pass through here running both north to south and east to west. After decades of service the building was completely restored in the fall of 2002.

Today the depot, also known as Selma Union Depot and by its Amtrak name, Selma-Smithfield, does double duty. It is Johnston County's Amtrak station, with trains every day, and it is a small museum with exhibits and memorabilia on railroad history and the story of the Town of Selma. The station sits on the southern end of Selma between Highway 301 and Interstate 95, which makes it an easy stop for road-trippers and a well-known spot for watching trains.

Exhibits in the waiting room, trains on the platform

Inside the restored station you will find exhibits and memorabilia about rail history and Selma, displayed in and around the enclosed passenger waiting room. Outside, the platform gives a front-row view of passing passenger and freight trains on two lines. Detailed exhibit lists are not posted online, so allow time to look around and ask the station attendant when one is on duty.

Don’t miss

  1. The restored 1924 depotBrought back to its historic look in 2002, the station building is the main attraction.
  2. Train watching from the platformWith north-south and east-west routes, Selma is a favorite stop for rail fans waiting to see trains.

Real trains, short visit

For young train fans, the draw is seeing real Amtrak and freight trains up close from the platform. The exhibits are a quick look, so this works best as a short stop on a drive along I-95 or paired with Raleigh's Pullen Park Train, about 26 miles away. Keep children well back from the platform edge when trains approach.

Plan your visit: tips for Selma Historic Union Station

  • The station is about two minutes from I-95 Exit 98.
  • An attendant is on duty from one hour before until 30 minutes after each train.
  • There is no Wi-Fi in the waiting area.
  • Check Amtrak's schedule if you want to time your visit to see a passenger train.

A community station

The station serves as Johnston County's Amtrak stop and is promoted by the county's visitor bureau as a place to start exploring the area. The exhibits on rail and town history reflect Selma's pride in its railroad past. No membership or volunteer program is posted online; ask the station attendant or Johnston County visitor services how to support it.

More trains in the Triangle

Raleigh's Pullen Park Train is about 26 miles west, and the New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal runs hour-long rides about 40 miles away. For a free Seaboard depot museum, Hamlet Depot and Museums is about 92 miles southwest. See the full North Carolina list.

Every train museum in North Carolina

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Selma's station is a working Amtrak stop, so every day someone sits in that waiting room with a bag at their feet. In our book, Rally's bag holds his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, the three things a corgi cannot travel without. My kids now pack their own little bags before any trip, train or not. If yours want something to color on the ride, our coloring pages fit in a backpack.

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 Selma Historic Union Station?

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.

Selma Historic Union Station: 20 questions travelers ask

What is Selma Historic Union Station?

Selma Historic Union Station is a 1924 train station in Selma, North Carolina, completely restored in the fall of 2002. It serves as Johnston County's Amtrak station and also displays exhibits and memorabilia on rail history and the Town of Selma. It is also known as Selma Union Depot and, on Amtrak, as Selma-Smithfield.

Where is Historic Union Station in Selma, NC?

The station is on the southern end of Selma, between Highway 301 and Interstate 95, about two minutes from I-95 Exit 98. It is near the town of Smithfield as well, which is why Amtrak calls the stop Selma-Smithfield. Use Amtrak's station listing for the exact street address.

What are the Selma Historic Union Station hours?

As of October 2026, the passenger waiting room is listed as open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. A station attendant is on duty from one hour before until 30 minutes after each train arrival and departure. Hours can change, so check with Johnston County visitor services before a special trip.

Is Selma Historic Union Station free to visit?

No admission charge is listed for the station's exhibits, which are displayed at the working Amtrak depot. Because it serves as a public passenger station, the waiting room is open to visitors during its posted hours. Confirm with Johnston County visitor services if you are bringing a group.

When was Selma Union Station built?

The station was built in 1924. After years of service it was completely restored in the fall of 2002, bringing the building back to its historic character while keeping it in use as a passenger station.

Is Selma Historic Union Station an Amtrak station?

Yes. It is Johnston County's Amtrak station, listed by Amtrak as Selma-Smithfield, NC, with station code SSM. Trains run daily on both north-south and east-west routes. Amtrak lists an enclosed waiting area and parking at the station.

What can you see at Selma Historic Union Station?

The station displays exhibits and memorabilia on railroad history and the history of the Town of Selma, inside the restored 1924 depot. Outside, you can watch Amtrak and freight trains pass on two routes. A detailed exhibit list is not posted online.

Is Selma a good place to watch trains?

Yes. Rail fan guides describe the Selma station, about two minutes from I-95 Exit 98, as a great place to watch trains, since both north-south and east-west lines pass through. Stay in public areas, keep well back from the tracks, and watch for approaching trains.

Is there parking at Selma Historic Union Station?

Yes. Ample free parking is available at the station for both short-term and long-term use. That makes it easy to stop and see the exhibits for a few minutes, or to leave a car for several days while you travel by Amtrak.

Is Selma Historic Union Station wheelchair accessible?

Amtrak lists an accessible platform at the Selma-Smithfield station, but no wheelchair is available on site, so bring your own if you need one. For other accessibility questions, contact Amtrak or Johnston County visitor services before your trip.

Does Selma Historic Union Station have Wi-Fi?

No. Amtrak lists the station as having an enclosed waiting area without Wi-Fi. If you are waiting for a train or planning to spend time at the exhibits, plan on using your own mobile data.

When is an attendant on duty at Selma Union Station?

A station attendant is on duty starting one hour before each train arrival and departure and stays until 30 minutes after. Outside those windows, the waiting room is listed as open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, so time your visit around trains if you have questions.

Is Selma Historic Union Station good for kids?

It is a good quick stop for children who love trains, mainly to see real Amtrak and freight trains up close. The exhibits are modest, so pair it with a ride at Raleigh's Pullen Park Train or the New Hope Valley Railway for a fuller day.

How long should I spend at Selma Historic Union Station?

Allow 30 minutes to an hour to look at the exhibits and the restored building. Rail fans hoping to see a passenger train should check Amtrak's schedule and plan around arrival times, which can add to your stay.

Can you take Amtrak to Selma, North Carolina?

Yes. Selma Historic Union Station is the Amtrak stop for Johnston County, and the county's visitor bureau encourages travelers to arrive by train and explore local attractions, shopping, restaurants and festivals. Check Amtrak's schedule for routes serving Selma-Smithfield.

What is Selma Union Depot?

Selma Union Depot is another name for Selma Historic Union Station, the 1924 station and museum in Selma, North Carolina, near Smithfield. The name union refers to a station shared by more than one railroad line.

Does Selma Historic Union Station host events?

No regular events schedule is posted online for the station. For community events in Selma and Johnston County, check the county visitor bureau's listings, which promote annual festivals that travelers can reach by train. Smaller local events may also be shared through the Town of Selma.

Can groups visit Selma Historic Union Station?

No group tour program is posted online. Because the station is an active Amtrak depot, contact Johnston County visitor services before bringing a school or club group so you can plan around train times and the waiting room's hours.

Who runs Selma Historic Union Station?

The station serves as Johnston County's Amtrak stop and is promoted by Johnston County's visitor bureau. Details on who manages the exhibits are not posted online, so ask the station attendant or county visitor services if you want to donate memorabilia or help.

What train attractions are near Selma Historic Union Station?

Raleigh's Pullen Park Train is about 26 miles away, the New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal about 40 miles, the Wilmington Railroad Museum about 91 miles, and Hamlet Depot and Museums about 92 miles. Selma makes a handy stop on an I-95 drive.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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