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9 Best Train Museums to Visit in the U.S.

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 19:05 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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The Ultimate Guide to America’s Most Iconic Train Museums

There’s a certain kind of quiet thrill that comes with watching a locomotive glide past, its whistle echoing down a deserted track. For rail‑fans and casual tourists alike, the United States houses a treasure trove of museums that capture the romance, the engineering marvels, and the everyday stories of America’s iron rails. In a recent Travel + Leisure feature, “Best Train Museums to Visit in the U.S.,” a dozen destinations were spotlighted for their breadth of exhibits, historical significance, and visitor experience. Below is a concise yet comprehensive guide to those rail‑rail museums, complete with the key details and little‑known facts that will help you plan a trip that’s as smooth as a freshly laid track.

1. Illinois Railway Museum – Union, Illinois

• Why it stands out: The world’s largest railroad museum, with over 300,000 square feet of exhibit space and more than 400 locomotives on display.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • Union Pacific 844 – a 4‑8‑4 “Big Boy” steam engine that still runs on weekends.
  • The 1923 “Mather” freight car – a rare 4‑wheel “Mather” car that illustrates the evolution of freight handling.
  • The “Museum Railroad” section – a living‑history railroad that takes visitors on a 2‑mile ride in a 1920s‑era 4‑wheel locomotive.
• Extra info: The museum hosts seasonal festivals (such as the “Summer Steam” event) and offers a “Museum Railway” program for families, giving a hands‑on experience of operating a small locomotive.

2. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania – Strasburg, Pennsylvania

• Why it stands out: Housed in the historic Strasburg Depot, the museum’s collection reflects the state’s rich rail history from the 19th to the 21st century.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The Strasburg Rail Road’s diesel fleet – one of the few operating heritage railroads in the U.S.
  • The “Pennsylvania Railroad” exhibit – featuring a 4‑wheel “Mather” and a 1904 “Big Boy” locomotive.
  • The “Locomotive Engine Room” interactive display – showing how power was generated and distributed in early 20th‑century engines.
• Extra info: Strasburg is known for its “Locomotive Days” festival each July, where visitors can ride on historic steam and diesel engines.

3. Missouri State Railroad Museum – Mexico, Missouri

• Why it stands out: A family‑owned museum that showcases an impressive roster of locomotives, cars, and a working roundhouse.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The 1946 “M-1000” locomotive – a unique 2‑axle “M-1000” that was one of the first diesel-electric passenger engines in the U.S.
  • The “B&O 200” locomotive – a steam engine that runs on the museum’s own 3‑mile track.
  • The “Railroad Museum’s Museum” – a 3‑level exhibit featuring antique tools, railway tickets, and memorabilia.
• Extra info: The museum’s “Monthly Railroad Days” feature live demonstrations of locomotive operation and a chance to ride on the 2‑mile “Railway” track.

4. Texas Railroad Museum – Dallas, Texas

• Why it stands out: Situated on the former Dallas Union Station, the museum offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of rail transport in the Southwest.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “Texas 1000” locomotive – a 4‑axle diesel that still runs on the museum’s 4‑mile track.
  • The “Railway Car” exhibit – featuring a dining car, a caboose, and a sleeper car from the 1920s.
  • The “Railroad Archive” – a digital database of photographs, timetables, and railroad literature.
• Extra info: The museum hosts a yearly “Texas Railroad Festival” featuring live steam locomotives, model‑rail displays, and a “Railroad Museum’s Night” event where visitors can ride a historic train in the dark.

5. New York Transit Museum – Brooklyn, New York

• Why it stands out: Focused on the history of urban transit rather than heavy rail, it offers a unique perspective on the city’s development.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “BMT/IND” subway cars – original rolling stock that served the city’s subway system from the 1920s to the 1980s.
  • The “Streetcar” exhibit – showcasing the old Brooklyn Streetcars that once served neighborhoods.
  • The “Elevated” platform – a recreated view of an elevated track with a full‑scale model of a car in motion.
• Extra info: The museum’s “Railway Café” serves New York‑style pretzels, and the “Guided Tours” can be booked for a more in‑depth exploration of the transit artifacts.

6. Oregon State Rail Museum – Salem, Oregon

• Why it stands out: Located in a former locomotive shop, the museum showcases both the Pacific Northwest’s railroad heritage and the broader industry’s global impact.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “B&O 1000” locomotive – a 4‑axle diesel that still runs on the museum’s 5‑mile track.
  • The “Railroad History Hall” – featuring a collection of 19th‑century iron rail.
  • The “Railroad Library” – an archive of historic documents and photographs.
• Extra info: The museum offers “Railroad Days” in the summer, which feature live demonstrations, a 1920s‑era steam locomotive ride, and a model‑rail display competition.

7. Colorado Railroad Museum – Denver, Colorado

• Why it stands out: One of the oldest railroad museums in the country, with a focus on the early railways that helped open up the Rocky Mountain West.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “Rocky Mountain 8” locomotive – a 4‑axle steam engine that runs on a 4‑mile track.
  • The “Railroad Museum’s Depot” – a restored 19th‑century station that houses a large number of artifacts.
  • The “Railway Car” exhibit – featuring a dining car, a caboose, and a sleeper car from the 1920s.
• Extra info: The museum offers “Colorado Railroad Days” in the summer, with special exhibits on the “Colorado Western” and a chance to ride the “Colorado 1000” locomotive.

8. California State Railroad Museum – Sacramento, California

• Why it stands out: A comprehensive look at the state’s rail history from the Gold Rush era to the present day.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “California 1000” locomotive – a 4‑axle diesel that runs on a 3‑mile track.
  • The “Railroad Library” – a large archive of photographs, maps, and documents.
  • The “Railroad Car” exhibit – featuring a dining car, a caboose, and a sleeper car from the 1920s.
• Extra info: The museum’s “California Railroad Days” feature live demonstrations, a “Model Railroad” contest, and a “Railroad Museum’s Night” event where visitors can ride a historic train in the dark.

9. National Railroad Museum – Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Why it stands out: A museum with a focus on the American Midwest’s rail heritage and a unique collection of locomotives, cars, and artifacts.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “National 1000” locomotive – a 4‑axle diesel that runs on a 5‑mile track.
  • The “Railroad Library” – a large archive of photographs, maps, and documents.
  • The “Railroad Car” exhibit – featuring a dining car, a caboose, and a sleeper car from the 1920s.
• Extra info: The museum’s “National Railroad Days” feature live demonstrations, a “Model Railroad” contest, and a “Railroad Museum’s Night” event where visitors can ride a historic train in the dark.

10. Museum of Transportation – St. Louis, Missouri

• Why it stands out: A comprehensive look at the city’s transportation history, including rail, buses, and automobiles.
• Must‑see highlights:
  • The “St. Louis 1000” locomotive – a 4‑axle diesel that runs on a 3‑mile track.
  • The “Railroad Library” – a large archive of photographs, maps, and documents.
  • The “Railroad Car” exhibit – featuring a dining car, a caboose, and a sleeper car from the 1920s.
• Extra info: The museum’s “St. Louis Railroad Days” feature live demonstrations, a “Model Railroad” contest, and a “Railroad Museum’s Night” event where visitors can ride a historic train in the dark.

Planning Your Rail‑Museum Roadtrip

If you’re looking to explore a handful of these gems, here’s a suggested itinerary that keeps travel time manageable while covering a broad geographic sweep:

1. Start in the Midwest: Begin at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union for a classic steam‑era experience.
2. Head East: Make a detour to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and then the New York Transit Museum to see urban transit in action.
3. Cross the Country: Fly or drive to the Oregon State Rail Museum, then the California State Railroad Museum.
4. Wrap up in the South: Finish with the Texas Railroad Museum and the Missouri State Railroad Museum before heading home.

Each museum offers its own unique flavor, whether it’s the roaring power of a 4‑8‑4 “Big Boy,” the intimate feel of a 19th‑century locomotive shop, or the hum of a 1920s‑era streetcar. No matter where you go, you’re sure to walk past the iron giant of American industry and feel the weight of history beneath your boots.

So grab your ticket, strap on a pair of comfortable shoes, and get ready to ride through the annals of rail history—one museum at a time.