Birthday Party Caboose at the NC Railway Museum
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the cost of the Birthday Caboose rental?
The cost of the rental is $150.00

Q: What is included in the Birthday Caboose rental?

• 2 hours for the Birthday party in our Museum’s vintage 1913 Caboose 335 (the caboose is not part of the train ride and does not move).

• Admission to the N.C. Railway Museum.

• An outdoor area in front of the Birthday Caboose with a Picnic Table (see details below) reserved for the birthday party.

• Admission for the birthday child/person to a one-hour round trip ride in passenger car pulled by historic locomotive after the birthday party

Q: Is admission to the museum included in the Birthday Caboose package?
Yes, admission to the museum is included in the Birthday Caboose rental. However, please note that train ride tickets for the Birthday party guests are not included in the package, except for the birthday child/person. Train ride tickets can be purchased online when you make your Birthday Caboose rental purchase. Pricing is available on the NC Railway Museum main webpage or press Buy Tickets button on every page (above)

Q: Does the Birthday Caboose run on the train?
No, the Birthday Caboose is not part of the train rides and is stationary (does not move).

Q: Are train ride tickets included in the Birthday Caboose package?
The Birthday Caboose package includes a train ride ticket for the birthday child/person. Train ride tickets for the party guests are not included in the package.  Additional train ride tickets can be purchased online at the regular price at any time, if seats are available.  Pricing is available on the NC Railway Museum main webpage/Buy Tickets

Q: How many guests can I have on the Birthday Caboose?
You can accommodate approximately 15 guests (children and adults) on the Birthday Caboose. In addition, one (1) picnic table reserved for the birthday party in the outdoor area in front of the caboose can accommodate up to 8 children or 6 adults.

Q: Will all of my birthday party guests ride together in the same passenger car assigned to my party group?
Yes, if train ride tickets are purchased for your quests, all of them along with the birthday child and parents will ride together in the same passenger car. One of the passenger cars can be partially reserved for your group. Please note that your party group will ride the train with other people with train ride tickets. A passenger car can accommodate up to 60 people. Therefore, your party group will most likely ride the train with other people with train ride tickets.

Q: Will anyone else besides my party group be riding on the assigned passenger car?
There will be a museum host or train crew member on board the passenger car for safety reasons and to answer questions as needed. That person may need to be inside the passenger car or out on the loading platform of the passenger car during operation. There may be times when the crew member is unavailable due to the need to carry out an operating duty while on board. We ask that you observe all safety requirements and take direction from the host or crew member regarding safety. Also, your party group will ride the train with other people with train ride tickets. A passenger car can accommodate up to 60 people. Therefore, most likely there will be other museum train riders on your assigned passenger car.

Q: When should I have my party guests in the boarding area ready for the train ride?
Your guests need to be in the boarding area near the assigned passenger car 15 minutes before the train departure time.

Q: What kind of seating is available on the Birthday Caboose?
The stand-alone caboose has two rooms. This is a real caboose, so the rooms are narrow. The large room seats 12-15 children or 8-12 adults. The second room has a service table (6-ft x 30-inch) to display your party items as well as a small built-in desk (41-inch x 37-inch). The cupola of the caboose is the upper-level observation area of the caboose and requires climbing up vertical stairs for access. In addition, there is one (1) picnic table in front of the Birthday Caboose that accommodate up to 8 children or 6 adults.

Q: Are there any tables and chairs on the Birthday Caboose?
There are one (1) table approximately 8-ft x 36-inch, one (1) service table approximately 6-ft x 30-inch, a small built-in desk approximately 41-inch x 37-inch, and 15 chairs inside the caboose. Also, there are two (2) picnic table in front of the Birthday Caboose reserved for the birthday party that accommodate up to 8 children or 6 adults.

Q: How early can I arrive to the Museum to decorate the Birthday Caboose?
The Birthday Caboose is available to you for decoration 30 minutes prior to the start of your party. Once you check in at the Museum’s Ticket Office and receive your museum admission tickets and ride tickets, you will be directed to the caboose to begin decorating and set-up for your Birthday party. You will have access to a golf cart driven by one of our museum’s members/volunteers to carry stuff back and forth from the parking lot to the Birthday Caboose.

Q: What kind of decorations are allowed?
You may decorate the inside of the caboose with any type of temporary decoration other than glitter, confetti, or piñatas. However, we ask you to do not put/place anything on the walls.

Q: Can I bring food and drinks to serve on the caboose?
Yes, you are welcome to bring food, as well as any non-alcoholic beverages. Small coolers are also permitted on the caboose.

Q: Do you have access to drinkable water inside the Birthday Caboose or onsite?
No, the Birthday Caboose or any onsite location at the museum does not have access to potable/drinkable water. Water from the Museum restroom is not potable/drinkable water. If you need to have access to potable water during your birthday party, we encourage you to bring 1-gal water bottles.

Q: Is the Birthday Caboose heated?
Yes, the caboose is heated.

Q: Does the Birthday Caboose have air-conditioning?
Yes, the caboose is air-conditioned.

Q: Is the Birthday Caboose handicapped accessible?
The Birthday caboose is not wheelchair accessible due to the use of historic and antiquated rail passenger equipment, which is exempt from ADA regulations under US Code: Title 42: Section 12184. To board the Birthday caboose, guests must be able to climb steps onto and off the caboose. Infant and toddlers may be carried on the caboose by an adult.

Additional Questions?
For additional questions, please send an email to [email protected].

Thanks!!