Does the distant whistle of a night-train turn your mind to destinations yet to be seen? Or does the thought of a train trip make you think of vintage times – dining cars and ladies in gloves? For many, the sheer muscle and speed of trains are fascinating.

The Southern Railway Museum, operated by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society since 1970, is a place to get your train fix in Atlanta.

There are a number of locomotives on display, , some wooden freight cars, a 1915 and 1925 cabooses, a 1911 Pullman car used by President Warren Harding, a 1920s diner car, a World War II troop kitchen and many other railroad artifacts.  There are other transportation pieces including a Model T, a 1941 bus, street cars and trolleys.

They offer short train rides on Saturdays, very popular with kids. (There’s also a mini train. The museum has various exhibits scheduled throughout the year, so even after seeing the trains and exploring the depot, you’ll want to come back. They are also a unique venue for a birthday party or special occasion celebration if you know someone who loves trains. And there’s a summer camp in the summer for children ages 4 – 12.

Admission to the museum is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $5 for children. (You don’t have to enter the museum to take the train ride on Saturday!) They are open Saturdays only until March, when they will be open Thursday and Saturday weekly, then even more days May and all days but Tuesday and Sunday in June and July. It is located on Buford Highway (Georgia 23) just north of Pleasant Hill Rd, three miles east of I-85.