KENNESAW, Ga. — The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History will host its third annual Railroad Rendezvous later this month.
The popular family friendly event is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on July 18. The one-day event celebrates the unique history of railroads and features a range of indoor and outdoor activities, including operating model train layouts, a variety of games, crafts and live railroad-inspired music.
In addition, event-goers will have the rare chance to climb aboard the General locomotive for a separate fee. The historic steamer was built in 1855 in Paterson, N.J., and made famous during the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase in April 1862, when Union spies stole the locomotive from what is today Kennesaw in a failed attempt to destroy the Western & Atlantic Railroad.
“Kids and train buffs of all ages will have plenty of opportunities to show their love of trains during our third annual Railroad Rendezvous,” said Sara Wilson, the Southern Museum’s events coordinator. “Everyone enjoys interacting with model trains and pretending to be a railroad hobo. This year’s event promises to be even more enjoyable than the event’s first two years.”
Also on the docket for this year’s Railroad Rendezvous is the ever-popular Hobo Jungle. As part of the jungle, re-enactors will offer tales about life on the rails and teach Hobo language.
Admission for Railroad Rendezvous is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children ages 4-12 and free for children three and under as well as Museum members. The cost to board the General is $5.
Dixie Precast, which provides prefabricated foundations and related products for the railroad industry, is sponsoring this year’s event. For more information about the Southern Museum, visit southernmuseum.org.
