southern museum of civil war and locomotive history

We have made the trip down several times to this museum. Well worth it every time. Great historical artifacts. Many changing exhibits. Made a special trip down when we could board the General. Great to be able to be this close to such an awesome piece of American history.

We stumbled across this attraction by accident and we were amazed at how much is here to see. Very education and if you like or collect trains you must stop in. I happen to have a small collection of trains and that's kind of what peaked my interest to go in. Well much much to my surprise they had the actual General. The layout was great and easy to access and understand. Everything flows perfectly while giving you a history lesson. It was perfect because the day we went was kinda slow, so my husband and I took total advantage of this and played in the designated child area. I wish I had went to a museum with this kind of interactive set up when I was a kid. Anyways they showed a short clip about the great locomotive chase. Which I knew a little about, but now I know a good deal about thanks to this place. I'm looking forward to going back with friends and family.

We take every friend and family that comes to visit, to this well done museum, in the center of the small town America, Kennesaw, Ga. It is a well done history lesson for all ages, and of course, the kids love anything to do with old trains.Got to follow up with a visit to the Kennesaw Mtn. National Battlefield Park.

Visited for the first time after living nearby for 13 years. Well put together museum you can visit in an hour or spend half a day. Small entrance fee. The movie is a bit hokey, but tells the story nonetheless. Great place for kids and adults alike with real artifacts on loan or exhibit. Gives you an appreciation for what these men and women did and how difficult the living conditions were as this country was finding its way. A great resource to learn a little history. The gift store at the end is a bit much, but I suppose they have to pay the bills somehow.Located right downtown. Parking is free and convenient.

This is a must see when you are in the Atlanta area. Very well made and interesting exhibit about the civil war with special focus on the railroad. A lot of artifacts from the area are shown and the "General" locomotive is impressing to see. Very friendly and informed staff.

We're locals and after visiting during a few of their special events, signed up for an annual membership. Best idea ever! We visit frequently, whether it's a rainy Saturday and we need to get out of the house as a family or we have our history-loving family in town and we want something easy and convenient.The admission prices are (IMHO) very fair - around $7-8 per adult. For a small "local" museum, it's quite nice inside. They have a lot of great exhibits around the civil war and the importance of the rail system to the war. They also have a large section that talks about the factory and how trains were built. My family is big into history and each time they've visited they've spent a lot of time looking through the exhibits. Even my young son (3) enjoys looking at the exhibits as we go through!As for kids - they have a lot of exhibits at a lower level so shorter eyes can really take it all in. They also have a whole room in the back just for kids, that has everything from a signal system they can actually play with to train tables to a train made out of foam gym mats for the kids to climb all over. They even have a little area where kids can play dress up in older clothing. Honestly, sometimes we come and just head straight back there and let my son explore!Of course the highlight is the section about the great locomotive race (with buttons for kids to push to make the General and Texas actually chase each other across the room) and then the actual General locomotive. Sometimes during special events you are allowed to even climb inside!All-in-all, it's a great way to spend a couple of hours if you have a family and/or are a history buff.

My husband piked the place, I am not so in Locomotives but it was much more then that. Interesting story during the civil war. I was surprised in how many country's the Manufacture exported there locomotives. even to Russia. We staid on Dobbins AFB, so an easy ride for us.

Great time here. We really enjoyed it. Gift shop was great. People were friendly. Displays are very good. But if you are not into Civil War history you might not enjoy it.

This at first appeared to be a small museum but once we went inside it was a huge surprise. The place is filled with things to see and read. To look at the actual General locomotive was amazing. A must for Civil War buffs. Great for children as well.

My two year old loves it here. So many hands on things for some kids to play with. Dress up, toy trains, a foam train they can climb on and puzzles make this a great spot for little ones. We like to go on rainy days to give my toddler a place he can explore and use some energy.

Unique museum with plenty of exhibits. I was mostly impressed by the exhibits of the actual locomotive manufacturers tool and die shops. These are real exhibits with the actual machinery, techniques and tools used to make and refinish parts by hand. Full of Civil War history and the influence of the Railroad on this conflict. I went in not expecting much. Been there three times now in two years. Very educational... highly recommended.

The museum is a good museum for a light afternoon with a nice dose of Southern Civil War history. We did not feel rushed and thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Very nicely done museum with good local flavor. There is a scavenger hunt and railway section that will interest those under 12. Teens without an interest in Civil War history might get a bit bored. Those who spend time in each section can see it all in less than 3 1/2 hours, or linger longer in each area and add an hour to your visit. A smaller section on Civil War history with artifacts and documents at the beginning leads into the main area of the facility, which focuses on the importance of rail transportation during the war and the industrial complex required for the manufacture of railway equipment. The true story of the Great Train Robbery is featured with a special section dedicated to the first national Medals of Honor awarded to those soldiers and spys who attempted the theft in support of the Union plan to break southern supply lines. Special section on the role of the Glover Family of Marietta and their family business' contribution to southern industry will interest those with manufacturing or machining experience.

It was my first time to see this Great Engine since the days it was in Chattanooga most of my early life! The people have done an excellent job of caring for it.. The museum is very educational and has wonderful information. The facility is exceptional. and the Exhibits are well worth seeing and remembering. The staff is very helpful and informative and of course The General is an Important piece of history to see! Don't miss the Boxcar story and see the amazing gift from the people of France thanks the people of the US for their help during WWI! and of course the complete restoration and explanation of the Foundry is AMAZING and worth seeing.

On the morning of April 12, 1862 the morning train from Atlanta stopped for breakfast at a nearby hotel. During the stop, the train, powered by The General, was stolen by Union spies led by James J. Andrews. Their mission was to disable this rail line to Chattanooga that was a critical supply link for Confederate forces fighting in Tennessee and further west. The train's conductor, William Fuller, chased the stolen train for some 80 miles to a spot near Ringgold, GA where it ran out of wood (fuel) and was abandoned. The tale has been told in several books and movies, most notably "The Great Locomotive Chase" by Walt Disney ~ 1956.The General, beautifully restored, is the centerpiece of this museum that tells not only the story of the raid and ensuing chase but also railroading in the south. After touring the extensive museum, take a minute to walk down to the adjacent railroad tracks and read the various signs and markers. The chase started at this point, and the rail line is still in very active use.Today's I-75 parallels the rail line. A number of the key spots along the chase route can easily be reached from the highway. One of the key highlights is Tunnel Hill just this side of Ringgold. Signs on I-75 direct you to this crucial point near the end off the chase. The original tunnel is still there but no longer used by the railroad.