A train lover’s dream come true, a steam train museum is where train fans can visit real locomotives from all over the country and learn about their history. A large collection of steam, diesel and electric trains is available for viewing, some being restored while others are still operational. Some exhibits also show the way that railway technology has shaped the world of business, politics and culture. The exhibitions, which include full size carriages and engines, are complemented by scale models and artifacts, allowing visitors to travel through time and experience railways at different ages.
The museum was founded in 1944 and is located in southwestern St. Louis near Kirkwood, Missouri. It houses the largest collection of large steam locomotives in the United States and is listed by the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The collection of locomotives and other rail cars is spread over 34 acres of land, including a 2 mile long track and two miles of storage tracks. The museum also has a full-size roundhouse which was used historically to repair and maintain locomotives.
One of the most significant locomotives on display at the museum is Black Diamond, which was built in 1926 and was once owned by the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad. It was one of the last of its type to use coal and is a 2-10-0 steam engine. The engine is now displayed in the Roberts Pavilion of the museum.
Another notable locomotive is the Chicago & North Western 1015, which was built in 1900 and had 81-inch drives. It was once used to power the Overland Limited, which had nine wooden coaches. The locomotive was retired in 1946 and was donated to the museum in 1948. The museum is open for public visiting, although it closes at 3:30 pm on Nevada holidays.
The museum’s other main attractions are the steam crane, a dining car and a historical telegraph station. The museum also has a number of outbuildings and is constantly restoring or overhauling pieces of equipment. Among the pieces of equipment on display are the smokebox, wheelset and cylinder block from locomotive number 18 610 (S 3/6) as well as a sectioned boiler from a Prussian G 8.
The museum also has an extensive collection of interurban equipment which includes two electric streetcars. These were once the main mode of transport in many American cities and are now rarely seen. The museum also operates trips over the Schiefe Ebene during summer to Marktschorgast and Monchshof Brewery. A class 796 Uerdingen railbus is stabled at the museum for these trips. Visitors who present their ticket at the museum entrance can ride the railbus for a discounted rate. This offer is valid for DB rail passengers and VGN public transport customers. There are also discounts for families with children and school groups. The museum is also a popular destination for field trips.
