The Southeastern Railway Museum is on track to complete its largest expansion project since it moved to its current location roughly two decades ago.
The museum, designated Georgia’s Transportation History Museum, is planning to open a $1 million, 21,000-square-foot Rail Transit Exhibit (RTE) building this fall.
The new building, which sits behind the current Building 2, increases the museum’s covered exhibit spaces by nearly 50 percent. The new addition will have four tracks on which to display at least eight historic rail cars, and a 48-foot-wide central area will be used for transit displays or other exhibits and as an events space.
“This new building will allow the museum to improve how we interpret and tell the history of transportation in Georgia,” The Associated Press quoted Randy Pirkle, the museum’s administrator, as saying.
The Rail Transit Exhibit building is partially funded by a $500,000 transportation equity grant (TE). The museum has raised substantial matching funds and is raising an additional $200,000 to cover additional costs related to the project.
As of June, framing is complete and more than a quarter of the roof has been installed.
Meanwhile, the museum is planning to host its 11th Annual “Trains, Trucks & Tractors” event next month.
The popular family friendly event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 4-6. Participants include Cumming Antique Power Association members, who will display a range of antique tractors.
In addition to the museum’s usual displays and the opportunity to ride vintage railroad equipment, the event will feature hayrides and rides on the museum’s restored antique handcar for a small additional fee.
The special visiting exhibits and other activities are included in regular museum admission.
