12 Tips for visiting Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera

heart of dixie railroad tips.jpgChristie Dedman/News Staff

I took the

We had a marvelous time.

Here are some pointers for those of you who have not visited the museum:

1. You can purchase tickets the up to an hour before the train leaves on regular non-special event days.

This saved me $16 in fees.

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2.  They do accept debit cards.

3.  The gift shop is not where you purchase tickets, you purchase tickets at the depot building.

4.  The restrooms were nice and clean and in the same building as the gift shop.

5.  The train ride is relaxing and last total an hour.

6.  You can ride in the covered passenger car or open air carts in the back.  We rode in the passenger car then switched to the open air car on the way back.

7.  The windows are open in the passenger car.

8.  You can bring a snack or drink for the little ones.

9.  If your child has sensitive ears, take hearing protection.  The whistle is loud and often.

10.  Gift shop -- My kids have a budget at gift shops, if we stop.  That day their budget was a $1.  The gift shop prices were pretty high but they are a non-profit so they do have to maintain their facilities.

I found a train whistle for 20 cents and a train eraser for 75 cents.

11.  You can have a picnic under their free pavilion and walk around the static train displays.

12.  There is a museum in the depot but most of the displays say do not touch.

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