Fortunately for us, our wonderful state is full of unique and interesting places to go and things to do. Gas up the car and get ready for an adventurous day exploring our state’s railroading history. You can make an entire day of it with our recent train-themed road trip here, or pare that down to visiting this one enchanting upstate museum that may steal your heart. Step into a magical world of model trains that replicates railroading in the Carolinas in the 1950s.

From the outside, this white building in downtown Central, SC gives only two small clues about what it holds inside. Can you see them?

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

If not, just step through the doors into a captivating scale model train world that depicts railroading in days gone by right here in the Carolinas (and Georgia).

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

Begun as a way to pay tribute to the rail history in local Central, the project soon blossomed into oh so much more.

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

You’ll be fascinated by the trains working busily making faux deliveries as if entire towns depended upon their on-time arrivals.

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

The museum’s attention to every little detail, including placing little people within the model, is remarkable.

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

They even remembered to add water towers to the little towns along the track!

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

And industries in towns you may recognize. This train is about to pass over a switcher in Westminster.

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

And these (little) people are waiting to board the train that just pulled up at the depot in Seneca.

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

In case you’re not entirely sure where Central is, it’s over near Clemson. If you’re on the coast it could be a bit of a drive to get here.

Google Maps

So you’ll probably want to have a meal while you’re in town.

TripAdvisor/Bill Y

Dakota Courtyard Grille is located just up the street from the museum at 217 W Main Street.

Facebook/Courtyard Grille

Order up some of the best wings in this part of the state, or chow down on any number of delectable items available on their menu.

Facebook/Courtyard Grille

The Central Railway Museum is located at 108 Werner St., Central, SC 29630, They are open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Still, we suggest calling ahead to make sure they’re going to be open before you travel across the state. Their number is (864) 508-7126. Find out more on their Facebook page.

Facebook/Central Railway Museum - Central Railway Model & Historical Association

Google Maps

TripAdvisor/Bill Y

Facebook/Courtyard Grille

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