Six regional railroad museums in Texas have joined together to create a network of attractions aimed at train buffs and those who enjoy spending a little time reliving a simpler time when riding the rails was the preferred way to travel.
The Texas Rail Trail is a network of historic depots and museums with a common goal of preserving railroad history. “No two railroad museums on the Texas Rail Trail are the same,” said Mike Baxter, Director of Marketing & Tourism for the City of Tomball. “We may have the same overall theme, but each location is unique in its presentation of exhibits and displays, architectural design, and history.”
Members of the Texas Rail Trail include:
Matthew Uzzell, 13, from left, of Magnolia, and his sisters Saige, 5, Jolee, 10, and Julia, 7, check out the Z- scale Golden-Blackhawk & Central City Railroad train model of David “Mister Dave” George’ of Spring, on display inside the 1907 Depot Museum in Tomball on July 3, 2018. (Jerry Baker/For the Chronicle)
–The Depot – A Railroad Museum at Tomball – Tomball
–The Rosenberg Railroad Museum – Rosenberg
–The Hearne Railroad Museum – Hearne
–The Magnolia Depot – Magnolia
–The B-RI Railroad Museum – Teague
–The Elgin Railroad Museum – Elgin
From engines and cabooses, model railways, railroad art, memorabilia and more, the museums along the Texas Rail Trail are filled with memories allowing guests to experience bits of Texas’ railroading past and the communities that have chosen to keep those memories alive.
Some member museums charge a minimal admission fee while others offer free admission, but do take donations.
For directions and operating hours for individual attractions, please visit:
–The Depot – A Railroad Museum at Tomball – ci.tomball.tx.us/343/Railroad-Depot
–The Rosenberg Railroad Museum – rosenbergrrmuseum.org
–The Hearne Railroad Museum – hearnechamber.org/welcome/visit
–The Magnolia Depot – magnoliatxhistoricalsociety.com
–The B-RI Railroad Museum – therailroadmuseum.com/
–The Elgin Railroad Museum – elgintx.com/200/Elgin-Depot-Museum
