Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia

Oct 19

Duluth, Georgia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Railroad museumTrain ridesOpen Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm

The Southeastern Railway Museum is Georgia's Official Transportation History Museum: a 35-acre volunteer-run site in Duluth with more than 90 pieces of rolling stock, from Pullman cars and steam locomotives to the private car of President Warren G. Harding.

Founded in 1970
90+ pieces of rolling stock
Caboose ride included with admission
Restored 1871 Duluth depot
Warren G. Harding's private car
Georgia's official transportation museum

Southeastern Railway Museum at a glance

Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm; closed Monday to Wednesday
Admission: Adults $19, seniors 65+ and students 13 to 21 $16, children 2 to 12 $13; one train ride included
Train rides: Caboose train rides when weather, crews and equipment allow; extra rides $4
Seasonal events: Caboose Days, Fast Track 5K, Locomotive Celebration, Trains, Trucks & Tractors, Classics at the Crossing, Second Thursday preschool program, Classic Trains Summer Camp
Plan for: About 2 to 3 hours
Best for: Families with young kids and serious rail fans
Best ages: Toddlers to age 12
Parking: Free parking with admission

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

Contact and directions

Address3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096(opens in a new tab)
Phone(770) 476-2013
Websitetrain-museum.org(opens in a new tab)

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Southeastern Railway Museum? 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 Duluth.

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.

How Atlanta rail fans built Georgia's transportation museum

The Southeastern Railway Museum was started in 1970 by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, a group of rail enthusiasts determined to save the trains that had served the Southeast. For close to three decades they gathered equipment, and in 1999 the museum moved to its present home on Buford Highway, about a mile and a half south of downtown Duluth.

The collection kept growing on that property, which the museum now describes as 35 acres. In the 2000 legislative session, the State of Georgia named it the state's Official Transportation History Museum, in recognition of how much it preserves beyond trains alone. Since then the museum has added buses, transit vehicles and other land transportation to its rail collection, which it calls the largest collection of rolling stock in Georgia.

Along the way the museum saved the 1871 Duluth passenger depot, restored and set on the grounds, and built a large archive and library of railroad artifacts, documents and images. Its mission is education: helping visitors understand what railroads and land transportation meant to the region, artistically, culturally and technologically.

The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit governed by a community board, and it runs on grants, donations, sponsors and ticket sales. Nearly all of its staff are volunteers, from the train crews who run the caboose rides to the people who answer the education line, care for the equipment and staff the gift shop.

Thirty-five acres of Pullmans, cabooses and big steam

Plan to walk. More than 90 cars and locomotives spread over the grounds: baggage cars, postal cars, freight cars, maintenance of way equipment, cabooses, passenger cars, steam and diesel locomotives and transit vehicles. Many of the big exhibits are open to step inside. You can stand beside the huge driving wheels of a steam locomotive that once pulled passenger trains to Key West, tour a business car that helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta, and pose on the rear platform of a private car used by President Warren G. Harding.

Look for the long Southern Railway green diesel-electric locomotive that pulled the last Crescent before Amtrak took over the train. Building 1 holds a model railroad, the restored 1871 Duluth depot stands on the grounds, and the museum's trains carry visitors in restored cabooses along track running the length of the property. There is also a G16 park train ride and several picnic spots.

Don’t miss

President Harding's private carWarren G. Harding traveled in this private car, and visitors can stand on its observation platform.
The last Crescent's Southern dieselThis Southern Railway diesel-electric pulled the final Crescent before Amtrak took over, and you can walk its full length.
The Key West steam locomotiveIts massive driving wheels once moved passenger trains all the way to Key West.
The Olympic business carThe museum says this car played a part in bringing the Olympic Games to Atlanta.
The 1871 Duluth depotThe town's restored passenger depot now sits on the museum grounds.
The caboose train rideRestored cabooses behind antique diesels carry riders the length of the property, and one ride comes with admission.

Caboose rides, a park train and preschool Second Thursdays

Kids can climb into cars, ride in a caboose behind an antique diesel and take a turn on the small park train. Families with preschoolers should look at Second Thursday, a monthly program with crafts, games, story time and a vehicle of the month; buy tickets ahead. Older kids ages 5 to 12 can join the Classic Trains Summer Camp each July.

The grounds are big and mostly outdoors, so dress for walking and the weather. Train rides stop for thunderstorms, high winds and temperatures below 35 or above 95 degrees (including heat index), and the museum welcomes picnics.

Plan your visit: tips for Southeastern Railway Museum

You must buy museum admission to ride the trains.
Rides are canceled in extreme weather, below 35 or above 95 degrees with heat index.
Bring a picnic; the museum has several picnic areas.
Groups of 12 or more get $2 off each admission.
Library passes are not valid for special events, programs or classes.

A volunteer railroad with a community board

The Southeastern Railway Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by a community-based board, and nearly all of its staff are volunteers, which is why emails can take two or three days to answer. You can help by buying an annual membership, volunteering with train operations, preservation or education, sponsoring an event, donating, or shopping in the gift shop.

More Atlanta-area train stops

The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad is about 12 miles away, and the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw is about 27 miles west. For a mountain day trip, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is about 62 miles north. Our guide to train museums across Georgia has the rest.

Every train museum in Georgia

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Every caboose ride here depends on a volunteer crew, and I love that. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand so Rally can climb aboard, and he is the friendliest face in the whole story. My mom dreamed up Rally's trip before she died in 2021, and I think she would have been tickled by real people giving their weekends to help kids onto a train.

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

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

Train museums in Georgia: every museum by town, with a map
Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
Christmas train rides in Georgia
Halloween train rides in Georgia
Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Southeastern Railway Museum?

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.

Southeastern Railway Museum: 20 questions before your visit

Where is the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA?

The museum is at 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth, Georgia 30096, about 1.5 miles south of downtown Duluth in northeast suburban Atlanta. Do not send mail there; the mailing address is PO Box 1267, Duluth, GA 30096. The museum's GPS coordinates are N33.986723, W084.154352, and the main phone is (770) 476-2013.

What are the Southeastern Railway Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The gift shop keeps shorter hours, opening at 10:30 am and closing between 3:30 and 4:30 pm depending on the day. Check train-museum.org before a holiday visit.

How much are Southeastern Railway Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, admission is $19 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and up and for students 13 to 21 with ID, and $13 for children 2 to 12. Regular admission includes one train ride, and extra rides are $4 each. Tickets can be bought online or at the museum, and advance purchase is recommended for special events.

Can you ride a train at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Yes. Visitors ride in restored cabooses pulled by antique diesel locomotives along track that runs the length of the property, and one ride is included with admission. Rides depend on weather, volunteer crews and equipment maintenance, so they are not guaranteed every hour. You must buy museum admission to ride.

Is there a park train at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Yes. Along with the full-size caboose rides, the grounds have a G16 park train ride, a smaller train that is a hit with young children. Like the other rides, it runs when weather and volunteer staffing allow, so ask at admissions which trains are operating during your visit.

Are Southeastern Railway Museum train rides canceled for weather?

Yes, for everyone's safety. Rides are canceled during thunderstorms, high winds, and temperatures below 35 or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, including the heat index. Trains marked optional on the schedule board run only when enough visitors are present. On iffy days, call (770) 476-2013 before driving over.

Can I use a library pass at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

The museum accepts library passes for regular visits, but they are not valid for special events, educational programs or classes. If you have a pass from your local library, check its terms and plan your visit for a regular open day, Thursday through Sunday.

Are there discounts or passes at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Yes. Active duty military and up to five family members get free admission year-round through the Blue Star Museums program, and the museum extends that to first responders with ID. NRHS members get buy one, get one admission, and groups of 12 or more save $2 per person. Annual memberships are also available.

Can I have a birthday party at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Yes, the museum hosts birthday parties, and train rides are complimentary for party guests. Party trains appear on the schedule board on the day. Party packages and booking details are on the birthday party page at train-museum.org, or you can choose Party and Events on the contact form or call (770) 476-2013.

What events does the Southeastern Railway Museum hold?

Annual events include Caboose Days in April, the Fast Track 5K in May, Locomotive Celebration in June, Trains, Trucks and Tractors in August, and Classics at the Crossing in October. Dates change each year, so check the events calendar at train-museum.org and buy tickets ahead for special events.

How many trains are at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

The museum has more than 90 pieces of rolling stock, which it calls the largest collection in Georgia. That includes steam and diesel locomotives, Pullman and other passenger cars, baggage and postal cars, freight cars, cabooses, maintenance of way equipment and transit vehicles, many of them open to walk through.

What famous cars are at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Highlights include a private car once used by President Warren G. Harding, a business car that helped bring the Olympics to Atlanta, the Southern Railway diesel that powered the last Crescent before Amtrak, and a steam locomotive that pulled passenger trains to Key West. The grounds also hold the restored 1871 Duluth depot.

When was the Southeastern Railway Museum founded?

The Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society founded the museum in 1970. It moved to its current Duluth site in 1999, and in 2000 the Georgia legislature named it the state's Official Transportation History Museum. The museum lists the site as 35 acres, while some references say 30.

Is the Southeastern Railway Museum good for toddlers?

Yes. The monthly Second Thursday program is made for preschoolers, with crafts, games, story time and a vehicle of the month, and the park train and caboose rides suit small riders. The grounds are large and outdoors, so bring a stroller and dress for the weather.

Does the Southeastern Railway Museum have a summer camp?

Yes. The 2026 Classic Trains Summer Camp ran July 13 to 17 from 9 am to 1 pm for kids 5 to 12, with crafts, games, lessons, train rides and a camp T-shirt and daily snack. Spots fill quickly, so watch train-museum.org in spring for the next camp and early registration discounts.

Does the Southeastern Railway Museum offer field trips?

Yes. The museum runs field trips for schools, daycares and homeschool groups, plus guided tours for senior and special interest groups. Every guided tour includes a ride on a historic train car, weather permitting, and tour rates include the group discount. Call the Education Coordinator at (770) 495-0253.

Is parking free at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Yes. Regular admission includes free parking at the Buford Highway site. The museum also welcomes picnics and has several picnic areas, so many families pack lunch and take a break between the exhibits and the train rides.

How long should I spend at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Plan on at least two to three hours to walk the 35 acres, step inside the open cars, see the model railroad and take a caboose ride. Families who bring a picnic or add extra $4 rides often stay longer. Wear comfortable shoes, since most of the collection is outdoors.

How can I volunteer at the Southeastern Railway Museum?

Almost the entire staff is volunteer, and the museum welcomes help with train operations, preservation, research and the library, education, events and the gift shop. Use the contact form at train-museum.org and check the Volunteer Opportunities box, or call (770) 476-2013. Memberships and donations also support the work.

What train attractions are near the Southeastern Railway Museum?

The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad is about 12 miles away, and the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw is about 27 miles. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway is about 62 miles north, and the Historic Summerville Depot is about 76 miles northwest.

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Kelsey Cecil