Railroad Museum

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The Galveston Railroad Museum opened in 1983 at the site of the 1932 Santa Fe depot and railyard. The museum quickly started collecting dining car china, a model railroad layout and acting as the terminal for the Texas Limited excursion train. After the Texas Limited ceased operations in 1996, the museum acquired its passenger cars and two locomotives.

Hurricane Ike flooded the museum with 10 feet of salt water in 2008. Much of the museum's collection was destroyed or severely damaged, forcing the museum to close, rebuild and restore its collection. Eventually, it acquiried two F-7A diesel locomotives in Santa Fe colors to replace the Texas Limited locomotives. After three years of cleanup, the museum reopened in 2011.

At present, the Galveston Railroad Museum has 40 pieces of rolling stock, the largest collection of dining car china in the Southwest and two incredible model railroad layouts. The museum also owns a mile of track, and runs caboose rides on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Sitting down next to one of the awaiting “passengers” in the depot is a favorite pastime for locals and tourists alike. Here, I am “reading” the Galveston Daily News along with a new friend.

Sitting down next to one of the awaiting “passengers” in the depot is a favorite pastime for locals and tourists alike. Here, I am “reading” the Galveston Daily News along with a new friend.