United States
Virginia (VA)
Parksley
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Eastern Shore Railway Museum
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Eastern Shore Railway Museum

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Eastern Shore Railway Museum
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
19 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
5
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Carenandmike
Boonton, NJ54 contributions
Great train museum if you have the time.
May 2021
If you are into trains, then you really should see this museum. If you call them in advance, they may be able to open for you. Our guide showed us the insides of the cars and an amazing restoration that he is working on. Also some miniature train set-ups. If you are in a hurry, then maybe this isn't for you. We spent 45 minutes on the tour and had to stop because we had arrived on bike and had more miles to go. The town of Parksley seems to be frozen in time.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OBX717
Florida1,291 contributions
Wasn't Open When We Stopped
Aug 2013 • Couples
We stopped on a Sunday and the museum was not opened but the sign indicates it is okay to wander around and view the equipment on display which we did. There is no motive power, it is all about the railroad cars which is a bit different than most railroad museums.

The town looks like time has passed it by and even the tracks in front of the museum do not show a great deal of use. When we are in the area again we will stop back and try to catch the museum when it is open so that we can see the displays in the cars. Grounds are nicely kept.
Written August 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cornishchough
Tidewater, VA76 contributions
A railway museum that lets you experience the rest of the train....
Both my wife and I were quite surprised and happy with our experience at this museum. It is the first railway museum that I have been to that is more aligned with the rest of the train than the engines, and how these affected the growth and history of Parksley, VA and the Eastern Shore. They currently have two new restoration projects underway, and have a completed group of cars to tour. The tour also has a good amount of information on the different Pullman cars and two styles of cabooses to examine. The restoration projects and the tour are all "donation only" funded, so taking the family will not break you financially. The docents are well informed, and will answer any question freely. Parksley itself is a nice town to tour, being one of the first planned cities in the country. We will probably stop by this museum again in the future to see how the restorations are coming along.
Written November 19, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catem
VA258 contributions
A Real Treasure for Rail Fans
Apr 2015 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this out of the way museum. There is an interesting collection of such items as railroad lanterns, posters, tools, etc. Outside you'll find several train cars and even the old Hopeton, Va station, as the Parksley station was razed a number of years ago. The very informative guide took us through each car (she has to unlock each one). It was interesting to learn about the importance of the railroad to the Eastern Shore in the early 20th century.
Written April 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul_from_VA
Virginia Beach, VA420 contributions
Worth a stop for a different perspective
Jul 2013 • Couples
The focus of this museum on the cars instead of the engines gives a nice focus. It is good to see not only the different types of cars, but also to see them in different stages of restoration. This gives a good perspective on how much work it takes to restore these beautiful machines to the look of their former glory. A nice stop for an hour's diversion.
(Note the museum closes at 4 PM. Even when it is closed you can view the cars from the outside with a little effort.)
Written July 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert M
Bowie, MD43 contributions
My Tour of the Eastern Shore Railway Museum
May 2016 • Solo
This Museum is just a gem of a place to visit. I learned about it through different informational sources, and decided to pay the place a visit. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see this unique museum. The guided tour includes excursions into actual rail cars ... two cabooses, a sleeping (roomette) car, mail car, dining car, and an old box car made of wood, awaiting restoration, but viewable nonetheless. The sleeping and dining cars are vintage (original) and reminiscent of when trains were a main mode of transportation. There is also a restored train depot/ticket/boarding station that is very interesting, and worth a closer look, along with a watchman's shanty, a few feet down the tracks. After the walking tour, you have an opportunity to look at exhibits and displays inside the Railway Museum, including model railroads, villages, equipment, decorative items from the dining car, posters and post card collections, depot signs, and more. There are also exhibits and displays from the ferry at Cape Charles that transported tourists and visitors over to Hampton Roads/Newport News, as the rail line ended at this town. One item of note was an oyster plate, which most people had in their homes, as oysters were a major foodstuff and industry on the eastern shore. There is plenty of railroad memorabilia for the railroad hobbyist/enthusiast, and a very nice gift shop. The Museum has two Christmas ornaments that one might want to consider as keepsakes ... a wooden locomotive along with a candy-like one as well. I bought both of them, as I collect railroad Xmas ornaments. There weren't any crowds, which made the tour and visit more memorable. There are a couple of shops ... Jaxon's Department Store, which sells penny candy, along with a cafe/restaurant should you want to eat lunch/dinner here. All in all, it is a place worth visiting. Five stars!!!
Written May 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stanley_43
Eastern Shore25 contributions
Little Gem.
Jul 2014 • Couples
My wife and I took a little trip last weekend traveling the back roads of the lower Eastern Shore. We ended up in this cute little town of Parksley , VA. and the Railroad Museum located alongside the downtown park and farmers market. The trains were all locked so we had to settle for peering into the trains from the rear doors. Eventually we ended up at the museum building . The friendly attendant asked us if we had any questions and if we wanted to see any of the interior of any of the. Cars. She ended up giving us a thorough personalized tour of the interior of all the cars and the restores train station. Very informative and enjoyable. All for only a donation.
Written July 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chimesboss
Ocean View, DE325 contributions
The Train Don't Stop Here No More
Apr 2019 • Couples
Alexander Cassatt, the man responsible for the original Penn Station in New York, had an earlier visionary idea a railroad bridging the mouth of the Chesapeake by barge and traveling the length of Delmarva to create a line that would connect the South with New York. Using his own money he built that line designing the barges and tugs and facilities and creating a town.

As big as that vision was the museum at Parksley unfortunately does not live up to it. The line has been recently abandoned and the town as well as the museum is struggling to figure out how to make that work to its advantage.

Unfortunately the museum is thin on substance, it fails to tell the big story of this line, or that of its decline. The collection of rail cars are interesting but not accessible, the staff person we met was very nice but seemed to know less about this museum and the railroad that would have served it than other attractions.

The museum is free, but a donation is appreciated. We gave one and while it was not what we expected it was something worthy of support. The museum should do more with the story, less with the artifacts as static exhibits. It should also consider acquiring some motive power so people could ride the rails still not far from its door. Its unlikely they can afford a steam engine or a diesel but a speeder and some trailers could serve as a beginning. Someone more knowledgeable about the railway Cassatt built, its impact and the man himself would be a great addition.

This is a potential diamond but right now its very rough...

I give credit to those who sustain it but if they want to benefit the town and those who visit they must do more!
Written April 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara O
Richmond121 contributions
Cute little museum!
Jul 2015 • Friends
If you are a true rail fan this is a must stop if in the area! They have several restored cars you can enter as well as a building set up like year gone by. Unfortunately, by the time we got there it was almost closing time and only had a few minutes. In the main building they have a good collection of old books and magazines for sale as well as a small layout. They also have a low table that the kids can play with. Very short drive off the main road, and it's free! They do appreciate donations!
Written July 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ebonyangels1
Parksley, VA16 contributions
Awesome
Oct 2018 • Solo
Nice area to view and walk through after dining at one of the restaurants in Parksley. Nice touch.Nostalgic
Written November 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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