Trains have played an important role in the development of transportation and infrastructure in the United States since the early 19th century. As the railroad network expanded across the country, trains became a vital means of transporting people and goods over long distances. Over time, railroads revolutionized the American economy and society. Today, though trains no longer dominate intercity travel as they once did, they remain an iconic part of American history and culture.
It’s no surprise, then, that the United States is home to numerous train and railroad museums that document this history. Train enthusiasts from around the world flock to these museums, which house massive collections of locomotives, rail cars, and artifacts from America’s rail heritage. But where is the biggest and most comprehensive train museum in the U.S.?
The Henry Ford Museum
One leading contender for the largest train museum in the country is the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The Henry Ford calls itself “America’s greatest history museum” and contains a spectacular array of historical artifacts including trains and railroad items.
The museum houses an extensive collection of steam and diesel locomotives and rail cars. Some of the highlights include:
- Allegheny locomotive #1601, built in 1941 for the Allegheny Railroad
- Union Pacific “Big Boy” locomotive #4004, built in 1941
- The actual train car where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865
- A replica of Thomas Edisonâ€TMs lab from Menlo Park, New Jersey featuring many original artifacts
In total, the Henry Ford Museum has more than a dozen complete train cars and locomotives, as well as lots of additional railroad-related items documenting the development of rail travel in America. The size and scope of the museum’s train collection cement its status as one of the premier railroad museums in the country.
California State Railroad Museum
Another mammoth train museum can be found on the West Coast – the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. Located in the former Southern Pacific Railroad station, this 100,000-square-foot museum is one of the largest railroad museums in North America.
Some highlights of the collection include:
- Central Pacific locomotive #60, “Jupiter,” which was part of the famous “Golden Spike” ceremony completing the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869
- Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe locomotive #3751, a large 4-8-4 “Northern” type steam engine
- Western Pacific “California Zephyr” dome car “Silver Hostel”
- Southern Pacific locomotive #2472, a cab-forward type locomotive designed for travel through snowy and mountainous terrain
- Dining cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and dozens of other pieces of rolling stock
In total, nearly 100 locomotives and rail cars are on display at the California State Railroad Museum. The museum also houses tens of thousands of other artifacts chronicling the development of railroads in the Golden State and across the American West. Between its sizeable collection and its status as an official state museum, the California State Railroad Museum can make a strong claim as one of the premier train museums in the nation.
National Railroad Museum
Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the National Railroad Museum is another heavy-hitter in the railroad museum world. With over 100 diesel and steam locomotives and hundreds of other rail cars and exhibits, it is one of the biggest railroad museums around.
Some of the highlights at the National Railroad Museum include:
- Union Pacific #844, a large and powerful 4-8-4 steam locomotive
- Great Northern Railway #2584, the restored locomotive of the Empire Builder passenger train
- Pullman passenger car “James Whitcomb Riley,” named for the Hoosier poet
- Milwaukee Road Skytop Lounge “Powder River”
- CB&Q locomotive #4960, a record-setting diesel locomotive
With so many locomotives and cars on display, plus exhibits on railroad history, model train layouts, and more, the National Railroad Museum is an ideal place for anyone interested in learning about trains. Its diverse collection with lots of rare and unique items cement its reputation as one of the country’s top railroad museums.
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Even the Smithsonian has an impressive collection of railroad artifacts – although trains are just one part of the overall focus of the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Still, the Smithsonian’s artifacts represent an important collection documenting the history of America’s railroads.
Some key pieces include:
- Original sections of the transcontinental telegraph line, linking the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways
- Builder’s plate from the famous steam locomotive Tom Thumb, an early design by Peter Cooper
- First Transcontinental Railroad car #91, a passenger car from the historic 1869 journey
- Antique railroad pocket watches, lanterns, and other artifacts used by 19th century railroad workers
The Smithsonian exhibit nicely complements its collection of locomotives and rail cars on display at the nearby National Museum of American History annex. Taken together, the breadth and depth of the Smithsonian’s railroad artifacts provide valuable insights into the history of rail travel in the U.S.
Union Pacific Railroad Museum
For a railroad museum showcasing the history of a single railroad, it’s hard to beat the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa. As you may guess from the name, this museum documents the rich history of one of America’s iconic railroads – Union Pacific.
Highlights include:
- UP #119, a steam locomotive from the 1930s
- UP #6936, the largest diesel locomotive ever built
- Historic passenger cars from trains such as the Overland Limited
- Interactive exhibits detailing the story of the Transcontinental Railroad
With its focus just on the Union Pacific, this museum delves deep into the stories and innovations that made this company a railroad legend. The museum’s collections offer insight into how one railroad helped unite America.
Steamtown National Historic Site
Operated by the National Park Service in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown National Historic Site is dedicated to showcasing American railroad history using a remarkable collection of locomotives and other artifacts.
Highlights of Steamtown include:
- Canadian Pacific #2317, a 4-6-4 Hudson type locomotive
- Reading Railroad #2102, a 4-8-4 Northern type locomotive
- Nickel Plate #759, a 2-8-4 Berkshire type of steam engine
- Dozens of vintage railroad cars, including troop sleepers and Pullman lounge and dining cars
With a collection spanning many different railroads and regions, Steamtown provides a comprehensive look at railroad history across the U.S. Its status as a National Historic Site also demonstrates its importance in preserving America’s rail heritage.
Which Museum is the Largest?
When looking at the sheer number of locomotives and railroad cars on display, the Henry Ford Museum arguably has the largest overall collection. With over a dozen locomotives and numerous other cars, it has more rolling stock on display than most other museums.
However, other factors like overall size, breadth of exhibits, and diversity of artifacts make other museums like the California State Railroad Museum serious contenders as well. Ultimately, more than one museum can claim the title of largest railroad museum due to the various criteria involved.
While there are many excellent railroad museums across the United States, the collections at the Henry Ford Museum, California State Railroad Museum, National Railroad Museum, Smithsonian, Union Pacific Museum, and Steamtown stand out as giants in the railroad history world, offering unparalleled looks at the railroads that helped build America.
Conclusion
Railroads have played a pivotal role in shaping the United States, from the Transcontinental Railroad of the 1860s to the passenger trains of the 20th century. It’s no surprise that the U.S. is home to many world-class railroad museums that document this history through expansive collections of locomotives, cars, and other artifacts.
When considering the size and breadth of railroad collections, several museums stand out for housing the most numerous and diverse assemblages of trains. The Henry Ford Museum, California State Railroad Museum, National Railroad Museum, Smithsonian museums, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and Steamtown National Historic Site are all giants in the railroad museum world, helping preserve fascinating rail history for generations to come.
So while it’s hard to single out just one railroad museum as the absolute largest in the country, these renowned museums collectively comprise the top tier of train museums nationwide thanks to their unmatched collections. For anyone interested in trains, they are absolute must-see destinations.
