2-8-0 Consolidation class locomotive built by Alco in 1922,

THE HISTORIC GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

The Historic Galveston Railroad Museum traces its roots back to the 1896 depot and headquarters built by the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe railroad. The depot and facility grew with the railroad, and by 1932 the company built the current art deco depot. Santa Fe left Galveston in 1972, and the building sat vacant for several years.  Mary Moody Northern with community support sponsored the refurbishment of the building and establishment of the railroad museum and the Galveston Railroad Museum opened to the public in 1983

The museum grew rapidly, collecting dining car china, a model railroad layout, and acting as the terminal for the Texas Limited excursion train. In 1996, the Texas Limited ceased operations, but the museum acquired its passenger cars and two locomotives.

In 2008, Hurricane Ike flooded the museum and destroyed or severely damaged much of the museum’s collection.  The museum closed for three years to rebuild. The museum acquired two F-7A diesel locomotives in Santa Fe colors to replace the Texas Limited locomotives. In 2011, the museum reopened.

TRAVELER’S GALLERY OF THE HISTORIC GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

The white alabaster sculptures located in the Train Depot were commissioned by the Galveston Railroad and were created by Elliot and Ivan Schwartz, founders of StudioEIS, in 1981.

The statues serving as story tellers and their conversations may be overheard in the vintage telephone booths by lifting the handset. In the ever-bustling 1932 train depot, travelers from all walks of life congregated to board their respective trains each bound for their respective destination.

Live models whose faces may look familiar were used to depict railroad travelers. The full size figures were made with plaster molds of real people. Visitors will see the faces of the artists, their family, and acquaintances among the statues whose models posed for up to 5 hours. Wires helped support the models and straws were used for the models to breathe through.

Elliot and Ivan Schwartz, Studio EIS, are sculptors, object makers, and designers who have produced a remarkable body of work for museums and institutions internationally. The Galveston Railroad Museum is proud to exhibit their creations.

PASSENGER CARS OF THE HISTORIC GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSUEM

BONNIE BROOK

The luxurious Bonnie Brook, completed in June 1949 by the Budd Company, served the served the New York Central Railroad. This car was part of the New England States train between Boston and Chicago for many years. It was used regularly by celebrities such as Jackie Gleason.

Link to the VRO tour of the of the Bonnie Brook: BONNIE BROOK (vrbox.host).

CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION & COMMERCE SLEEPER DONALD E. HARPER JR.

This car was built in 1954 for Canadian National. It features 8 roomettes, 4 double bedrooms, as well as an open sleeping space.

SOUTHERN DINING CAR #3305

This streamlined dining car was built by by the Budd Company in 1949, and it served on the Southern Railroad’s streamlined trains Crescent, Tennessean, Southerner, and Royal Palm. It is available for rent as a birthday party venue.

CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION & COMMERCE COACHES GEORGE H. GOULD & ALONZO H. HARTER

Built by Budd Company in 1952 for the Pennsylvania Railroad, these cars operated on the Pennsy’s Congressional and Senator trains. These cars are Amtrak certified and are pulled by the museum’s Warbonnets on annual excursions and during Christmas on The Polar Express™ train rides.

CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION & COMMERCE DINING CAR CITY OF GALVESTON

This dining car seats 34 and was built by Budd Company in 1948 for the Santa Fe Railroad. It operated on the Texas Chief, and frequently ran out of the Galveston depot before transferring to Amtrak service. The museum acquired the car from Amtrak, and it now runs on Galveston annual excursion trains, and during The Polar Express™ train rides.

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON, & QUINCY OBSERVATION CAR #302 SILVER HOURS

Built in 1940, Silver Hours is a combined diner and observation car. It served on the CB&Q line until 1968 and was donated to the Galveston Railroad Museum in 1984 by the South Texas Railroad Historical Society. It is available for rent as a birthday party venue.

GLEN LEE SLEEPING CAR

Glen Fee is one of the last remaining cars from the American Freedom Train of 1947. The American Freedom Train carried important documents such as the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and Emancipation Proclamation to the 48 states. Glen Fee’s housed the Marine honor guard that traveled with the train.

PULLMAN OBSERVATION CAR ROBERT E. LEE

This observation car was built in 1924. It features 20 beds for passenger and a lsarge sitting area in the back of the car. It was originally named Mt. Darwin. In 1961, It left general Pullman service and was eventually acquired by the Oregon, Pacific, & Eastern Railroad. Its name was changed for commercial film purposes.

ANACAPA

This palace/business car was specially built for the Washington Evening Post editor, John Palmer Gavit. Gavit used it as a private railcar, and hosted dignitaries including Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Sir Winston Churchill.

ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAIL POST OFFICE CAR #100

This post office car was built in 1914 by Pullman. It remained in service until 1968. Post office cars were vital to railroads, as carrying mail was the only way to make passenger service profitable by the late 20th century. After the car left rail service, it starred in the 1998 film, The Newton Boys.

special events

The Polar Express returns to Galveston, November 10 – December 22, 23. Experience the magic of Christmas at the Galveston Railroad Museum. Buy your tickets Today!

2023 THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride (etix.com)

GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM

• 2602 Santa Fe Place
  Galveston, TX 77550
• (409) 765-5700
• Open Daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Adults: $12
  Seniors 65+/Military: $9
  Ages 3-12 yrs $6
  2& Under: Free
  Train Rides add $8
  Groups Welcome: Call for pricing

Visit YouTube for a Video of the Historic Railroad Museum, Galveston RR Museum – YouTube.

For Interesting Places to Visit on your trip to Galveston, please see my blogs, Moody gardens galveston TX (mygalvestonrealtor.com) and the exciting pleasure Pier, galveston, TX (mygalvestonrealtor.com).

Thinking of buying or selling a home in Galveston? Checkout my about page, About Jerri Sutherland Your “Friendly, Results-Driven” Realtor (mygalvestonrealtor.com) and my listings page, 6 active listings in galveston, texas usa (mygalvestonrealtor.com). Listings are updated each week!