When you venture into this grand realm of railroads you will find yourself amidst a sensational collection of railroad cars and engines that span the best part of a century.

You will rediscover an era where travel had a different rhythm, one  measured in chugs and whistles.

The museum was established in 1956 with over 3 miles of track and honors America’s industrial growth of cross country journeys and the people who made it all possible.

Featuring more than 40 historic pieces including the California Zephyr cars, Silver Crescent and Silver Stag Florida East Coast railroad steam engines, including several diesel locomotives and many other cars.

The museum’s Crown Jewel is the Ferdinand Magellan,  a Pullman rail car with a pedigree as grand as it’s polished wood interiors..

It’s the Pullman Palace of the Rails as you step into a slice of American History.         It was FDR’s presidential suite where he strategized World War II victories over a cup of coffee.

The famous Dewey defeats Truman newspaper headline picture that President Truman held at a stop at St Louis Union Station was from this train.

It’s fully armored with bulletproof three inch thick windows, with escape hatches and doors that weigh 1500 pounds each and can be available at a moment’s notice to our current president today.

During World War II for security reasons, only the word pullman appears on the outside of the car, so that from a distance the rolling fortress looked like any other private rail car.

The little ones can ride the Edwin Link children’s railroad, a miniature train that’s just their size.

The hands-on intricate model train exhibit for children features a miniature town and countryside.

From the Thomas the Train Engine meet and greets to the seasonal rides like the Polar Express,  wide-eyed kids can marvel at the mighty diesel engines.

Open Wednesday through Sunday,    11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   Adults $12, Seniors $8,  Kids 3 to 12 $10.

Train rides are available the first Saturday of every month for a 25 minute excursion its $15 per person.

Toot toot.