Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is the official railroad museum of the State of Alabama, dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of historically significant railway equipment in an authentic setting. Located in Calera, Alabama, just off I-65 south of Birmingham, the museum campus encompasses several hundred acres of former Louisville & Nashville Railroad property along the original Alabama Mineral Railroad corridor. The Calera & Shelby Railroad operates over 6.5 miles of historic track through the forested Shelby County countryside, offering one-hour diesel-powered excursion trains every Saturday from March through December. Visitors can explore the beautifully restored Calera depot, which houses exhibits of railway lanterns, locomotive headlights, passenger train china and silverware, and other artifacts tracing Alabama’s railroad history. A research library in the Woodlawn depot contains extensive print and media collections, including old maps, track diagrams, timetables, and technical manuals available for public use. The museum displays more than 40 pieces of rolling stock spanning the early to late 20th century, including passenger cars, railway post office cars, and freight equipment. Special excursions are offered for Halloween and Christmas, and the museum regularly hosts school and community educational programs.