Two years later, another 53 acres (210,000 m2) was added to the original donation; the entirety of the railway's largest former steam locomotive repair shops.

The museum grew over the years, most notably in 1996, with the opening of Barber Junction, a relocated railroad depot from some 30 miles away, and the newly renovated Bob Julian Roundhouse.

Barber Junction serves as the museum's Visitor Center and departure point for the on-site train ride.

[1][2] Several bays of the Spencer Shops roundhouse, built in 1924, are devoted to locomotives and rolling stock in the museum collection restored by volunteers.

Moving into the restoration shop occupying stalls 21 through 32, visitors may also see volunteers working on various railroad pieces, and even manufacturing parts.

[2][4] The museum is the largest repository of rail relics in North and South Carolina and averages 80,000 visitors annually.

A Highway Patrol car from 1935, a Divco Milk Truck, a Lincoln Continental and others are also part of the museum's collection.

[4] In 2005, the museum's Back Shop underwent a massive renovation, which included repairs to the roof, re-pointing of the brick, and a stabilization of the building's floor.

630 visited the museum offering employee and public excursions to Barber Junction and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

In 2014, the museum hosted Streamliners at Spencer, with notable 1930s - 1950s era locomotives gathered around the Bob Julian Roundhouse turntable for a four-day event.

This notable locomotive remained in Spencer for repair and restoration work to allow it to once again pull passenger excursions across the southeast.