From east to west, America has some amazing train museums that bring railroad history to life. These museums showcase old locomotives, vintage train cars, and even offer scenic rides for visitors. Here are 9 of the best train museums you can visit in the U.S.:
1. National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum – Chicago, Illinois
This museum highlights the role of Black men and women in railroad history. It honors the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first Black labor union in the U.S.
2. Steamtown National Historic Site – Scranton, Pennsylvania
Run by the National Park Service, Steamtown offers train rides, guided tours, and working demonstrations of railroad technology.
3. California State Railroad Museum – Sacramento, California
This museum has impressive locomotives, kid-friendly exhibits, and stories about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
4. Illinois Railway Museum – Union, Illinois
The largest railway museum in the U.S., featuring steam, electric, and diesel trains. Visitors can even ride famous trains like the Nebraska Zephyr.
5. National Museum of Transport – St. Louis, Missouri
Along with trains, this museum has cars, planes, buses, and even a river towboat. It’s one of the largest transport collections in the world.
6. Nevada State Railroad Museum – Carson City, Nevada
Focused on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, this museum features locomotives used in Hollywood films. Visitors can enjoy rides on restored 19th-century trains.
7. B&O Railroad Museum – Baltimore, Maryland
Home to the first mile of commercial railroad in the U.S. Visitors can ride the “Mile One Express” and see historic Civil War locomotives.
8. Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania – Strasburg, Pennsylvania
A huge collection of over 100 locomotives and cars, plus an indoor display and model railroad. You can also ride nearby scenic trains.
9. National Railroad Museum – Green Bay, Wisconsin
Great for families and kids, this museum lets visitors walk through train cars and ride short trains. It’s home to the only A4 Class locomotive in the U.S.
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