Seaboard Air Line Railroad Turntable

Built in 1909 for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, which operated from 1900 to 1967, this railroad turntable is one of the few remaining such structures left in the U.S. What makes it even more rare is that it is still operational and occasionally use by CSX and the NC DOT in their operations. The turntable originally included a “roundhouse” that was used to house locomotives while maintenance and repairs were conducted. The roundhouse was demolished after a series of devastating fires, but the foundations of the original roundhouse remain adjacent to the turntable. The turntable can be found near Capital Blvd and Peace St, but it is not easily visible despite its size. The best ways to view the turntable are from an adjacent building (if you have access), or from the air using a camera drone. On foot, the easiest way to see this structure is to park at a nearby building and walk to the turntable via the railroad tracks. However, be aware that these are active railroad tracks, there are numerous homeless encampments along the tracks, and that traversing the tracks is considered trespassing.