The history of Apex is rooted in the railroad system of the late nineteenth century. Located at the highest point, or the Apex, of a 30-mile stretch of the Chatham Railroad, the town was a place for trains on their way to Raleigh to stop and replenish their water supply. Apex may not be the highlight of the railway any longer, but it still has a piece of that history tucked away like a secret gem.
The New Hope Valley Railway, located on the edge of Apex and New Hill, carried both freight and passengers for more than 100 years. Built in 1904, the railway originally carried lumber and changed to agriculture as the farming culture blossomed in the area. The railroad was eventually acquired by the Norfolk Southern Railroad because of its direct link to the American Tobacco Complex in Durham and provided a way of transporting tobacco in and out of the plant.
The line continued to operate under Southern Railway until 1974. In 1974, New Hope Valley was flooded to create what is now Jordan Lake. After the completion of the Shearon Harris nuclear plant, Southern Railway abandoned the railroad. The original plan was to remove the tracks, but the National Railway Historical Society had other ideas. In 1983, the East Carolina Chapter of the society approached Southern Railway and wanted to purchase the rail yard and part of its line which was four and half miles of track stretching from Bonsal to New Hill.
Today, Triangle train enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy rides from Bonsal to New Hill and back again in an hour-long ride through history. In addition to train rides, the New Hope Valley Railway is home to the North Carolina Railway Museum. Featuring train cars, equipment and gifts, all aspects of the railway and museum are run by volunteers, and proceeds from ticket sales go directly to preserving the museum and the railway.
If train rides and museum visits just aren’t enough for the most enthusiastic train lover, then grab your conductor hat and rent the caboose! Whether it’s a birthday party or a corporate function, the vintage 1913 caboose is available for rent. Although the caboose itself does not move, if your party is on one of the railway’s ride days, tickets can be purchased for your group to ride around in style.
If you are looking for family-friendly events to enjoy without the heat of the sunny south, then mark your calendars, because the New Hope Valley Railway is full of fun and exciting adventures from October through December.
Track or Treat Halloween Express
On October 13, 20 and 27, area ghosts and goblins can ride through the enchanted woods of New Hill on this kid-friendly Halloween adventure (daytime rides are recommended for younger ghosts and goblins). Bring your favorite witch or wizard and visit the only Halloween train ride in the Triangle. All dressed up and ready to be spooky, the train’s conductor drives you through an interactive Halloween adventure along the railway.
Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express
Chugging into the holiday season in style, the New Hope Valley is the personal chariot for Santa himself. On December 1-2, 8-9, and 15, enjoy festive decorations as you ride in a covered, open-air train car with Santa. Don’t forget your mittens and hats! Don’t worry, they didn’t forget Santa’s most important helpers. Rudolph and his friends are somewhere in the rail yard and the jolly man himself needs the help of his friends to find them. Don’t forget your camera!
As we move into 2019 and watch the development and change that Apex had undergone over the last 10 years, it can sometimes be difficult to remember what a small town feels like. During this fall and winter season, when life gets hectic and you need a reminder of a simpler time, a time when correspondence to a loved one came in the form of a handwritten letter or when travel was done by either boat or train, then take a trip to the outskirts of Apex and take a step back in time at the New Hope Valley Railway.
