A visit to Hendersonville, North Carolina, just isn’t complete without a stop at the historic Hendersonville Train Depot. Built it 1902, the historic building is now home to the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club which operates a number of model railroads both inside and outside the restored yellow building.
Kids — and kids at heart — love stepping inside to check out the fully operational model trains that couldn’t occupy a more appropriate building.
Google Local/Debbie Culligan
Inside, visitors find a model train layout that sprawls an enormous space of 2,200 feet.
Google Local/Ken Borgfeldt The set up here is designed to resemble an earlier era in Western North Carolina. It’s an era when the railroad was at its peak. Model buildings, automobiles, water towers, even grass and trees have been added for a realistic affect.
And if this indoor train park is open, then you can bet the trains are running!
TripAdvisor/CarolinaGator
Step into the past as you watch trains chug through the enormous layout where it seems no detail has been overlooked.
Facebook/Apple Valley Model Railroad Club
Train engines carry cameras that project their live trip up on big screens around the room so you don’t miss a single turn of the journey.
TripAdvisor/CarolinaGator
No matter your age, you’re sure to feel like a big kid when visiting the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club.
Google Local/Allan Pack
And for visitors that actually are kids, a special layout with an operational Thomas® train will have the youngest members in the family grinning from ear to ear.
Google Local/David Hanor
Outside the depot, a real caboose awaits exploration and another model train layout whips around the exterior of the building for even more hours of mesmerizing fun.
Google Local/Allan Pack
In case you’re not entirely familiar with geography in western North Carolina, Hendersonville is located about 30 minutes south of Asheville and easily accessible from both I-26 and I-40.
Google Maps
Visiting the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club is always free and so is the parking on nearby streets. The attractions are open to the public every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more from the official website and pop over to Facebook to see the latest. Want more things to do while in Hendersonville? Have lunch at this Beatles-themed restaurant and then go check out the overlook and hiking trails at this nearby town park.
Google Local/Debbie Culligan
Google Local/Ken Borgfeldt
The set up here is designed to resemble an earlier era in Western North Carolina. It’s an era when the railroad was at its peak. Model buildings, automobiles, water towers, even grass and trees have been added for a realistic affect.
TripAdvisor/CarolinaGator
Facebook/Apple Valley Model Railroad Club
Google Local/Allan Pack
Google Local/David Hanor
Google Maps
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Address: 650 Maple St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, USA
