Missouri has a rich railroading history. In fact, there are several railroad museums across the state that showcase that history.
The National Museum of Transportation is so much more than just a museum. This amazing facility is an all-encompassing look at everything regarding transportation. It cover railroads, cars, aircraft, streetcars, boats, and so much more. But when it comes full-size locomotives and railroad cars, this may be the best collection you will find anywhere.
National Museum of Transportation
2933 Barrett Station Rd
St. Louis, MO 63122
The Missouri Model Railroad Museum is focused primarily on model railroading. But if you love trains, this is a place you have to see. It is located in on old mill in Independence, not far from other historical sites. One of the most popular attractions are the large dioramas that showcase the 175 year history of railroading in Missouri.
Missouri Model Railroad Museum
312 W Pacific Ave
Independence, MO 64050
The MoArk Regional Railroad Museum in Poplar Bluff is dedicated to preserving railroad history in the Missouri-Arkansas region. This museum features railroad artifacts like steam and diesel locomotives, cabooses, passenger and freight cars. There are also inside exhibits like a dining car display, railroad tools, telegraph equipment, and the original agent’s workspace.
MoArk Regional Railroad Museum
303 Moran Street
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
The Railroad Historical Museum in Grant Beach Park is a wonderful place to step back in time. It is located just blocks away from the massive Railroad Yard along Division. So if you really like seeing the trains, this is a great area to explore. Is has historic rail cars like a Frisco locomotive, a Burlington baggage car, and Chicago & Northern commuter car, and a Burlington Northern caboose. Inside the museum, there are quite a few artifacts and memorabilia to view.
Railroad Historical Museum
Grant Beach Park
1401 N Grant Street
Springfield, MO 65802
The small town of Crocker is an old railroad town that commemorates their past along the Frisco Line. The Frisco Depot Museum is in the original Frisco railroad depot. It includes railroad artifacts, old photographs, train logs, and a beautifully restored caboose.
Frisco Depot Museum
109 10th St
Crocker, MO 65452
The Railroad Heritage Museum is in the historic Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT, “Katy”) Railroad Depot in Sedalia. The old Depot was built back in 1896 and restored in 2001. There are dozens of exhibits, including a look at the railroad history in Sedalia. This museum is along what is now the most well known former rail line in Missouri, since it is now a popular trail. The depot is a major trailhead for the Katy Trail State Park, which runs along the old railroad line.
Railroad Heritage Museum
600 E 3rd St
Sedalia, MO 65301
The Walt Disney Hometown Museum isn’t necessarily a train museum, but it has a district tie to the railroads. It is located inside The Walt Disney Hometown Museum is located in the restored Santa Fe Railway Depot in Marceline. In fact, Disney and his family first arrived in the town via the trains. So this museum has a little bit of everything when it comes to railroad history in northern Missouri and Walt Disney history as well.
Walt Disney Hometown Museum
120 E Santa Fe Ave,
Marceline, MO 64658
The Webster Groves Frisco Depot isn’t necessarily a museum, but what is inside is certainly some amazing history. The Big Bend Railroad Club uses the old St. Louis-San Francisco Railway’s (Frisco) depot in Webster Groves. This is the oldest model railroad club in the country, dating back to 1938.
Webster Groves Frisco Depot
The Big Bend Railroad Club
8833 Big Bend Blvd,
Webster Groves, MO 63119
The Patee House Museum in St. Joseph has all sorts of museum rolled into one place. The building itself is a former hotel built by John Patee in 1858. It was an upscale place for travelers on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad to spend the night. So in addition to the railroad history in the museum, you also can see local history including details about the Pony Express.
Patee House Museum
1202 Penn Street
St Joseph, MO 64503
The Chicago & Alton Railroad Depot was built in Independence in 1879. This was basically the last stop before you entered unchartered territory “way out west.” The museum touts itself as the only restored two-story train museum in Missouri. There isn’t as much train memorabilia here as in other railroad museums, but it does have a bunch of great history.
Chicago & Alton Railroad Depot
318 W. Pacific Avenue
Independence, MO 64050
The River, Rails & Trails Museum in Boonville is one of the most beautiful railroad museums in Missouri. But it’s so much more than just the trains in the old depot. This location also has the history of riverboats along the Missouri River. And then you also have the “trails”, as in the historical passageways in mid-Missouri that paved the way for our future. It is also now a trailhead for the KATY Trail.
Rivers, Rails & Trails Museum
100 East Spring Street
Boonville, MO 65233
Depot Park in Moberly features a railroad museum located inside a beautiful little park that also has a Pullman Train car for you to see. The museum is open by appointment only, so call ahead if you want a tour.
Depot Park
100 N Sturgeon Street
Moberly, MO 65270
St. Louis Union Station is a historic landmark and former railroad terminal opened in 1894. It was once the largest and busiest passenger rail station in the world. In fact, it served millions of travelers during the golden age of rail. Passenger rail service declined after World War II, and trains ceased operations there in 1978. But the building was later redeveloped and now functions as a major tourist destination with a hotel, aquarium, restaurants, and entertainment attractions. Each hotel room has interesting St. Louis railroad history on the walls. And if you walk the Main Terminal area, you can read historical plaques all day long. There are even some train car still park in the shed.
St. Louis Union Station
1820 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Union Station Kansas City
Union Station in Kansas City is a landmark that opened in 1914 as a major railroad hub. After decades of decline, it was beautifully restored and reopened in 1999 as a museum and historical center. The station still connects to Amtrak service.
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