Photo Gallery | Big weekend at NCTM; Studebakers, pirates, and trains!

SPENCER - The North Carolina Transportation Museum has a particularly busy weekend planned with several events that should be fun for anyone.

One of the events is the classic Studebaker Show on Saturday.  The company was founded to provide transportation for miners, but later developed into a major American car company, responsible for such models as the Commander, the President, Avanti, and believe it or not, the Dictator.

In this story you'll find some pictures from a prior Studebaker Show at the NCTM.  Many of these same cars will be on display, along with many others.

The Volunteer Open House is the museum’s annual recruitment drive, showing off the many opportunities to help keep the wheels turning and visitors smiling.  Indeed, nearly every skill set relating to transportation, rail and auto equipment repair and maintenance, education, customer service, office work and more are needed and essential at the N.C. Transportation Museum.

“I do it because I love trains. I’m a train nut, and you get to be around trains and the history of railroading,” said Jim O’Brien, who is an Interpretive Volunteer at the museum.  O’Brien gives tours, provides narration for the on-site train ride, runs the museum turntable and works in the Bob Julian Roundhouse. 

O’Brien is now in his fifth year volunteering at the museum.  In addition to his love for railroading, the people he meets also keep him coming back.  “I truly enjoy all the people I work with there too, and interacting with the public, which is always fun,” he said. 

Current museum volunteers will be stationed across the museum grounds throughout the day to answer questions and tell their own stories.

Also Saturday, current N.C. Transportation Museum Members will enjoy a special pirate themed day of their own.  “Pirates’ Plunder” Membership Day will feature the lost treasure of Captain Jack Spencer.    Since pirates are more accustomed to ships than trains, some help is asked from museum members in helping Captain Jack search for his lost treasure. 

Activities include Back Shop tours, a children’s treasure hunt, fun photos with a pirate backdrop, children’s crafts and games and special rides in style aboard the member’s car on the passenger train.

“Pirates’ Plunder” Membership Day is open to all current members, with carousing for pirates young and old. Activities will run 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Those buying a membership Saturday will be able to enjoy all the benefits of Membership Day.

Finally, those that prefer two feet on the ground and four wheels on the road can enjoy the annual Studebaker Car Show.  While production of Studebaker cars ended in 1966, owners of these classic automobiles keep the legacy alive.  Studebaker Roadsters, Land Cruisers, Gran Turismos and trucks will be displayed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The show is free to attend, but admission is required to visit the museum exhibits and to ride the on-site train ride.

For more information on any of these activities, log on to www.nctrans.org.