Museum of the American Railroad

We took the boys to see the Museum of the American Railroad last weekend. I've lived here for almost 15 years and I've been to the State Fair and the Fairgrounds in general several times, but I had no idea this museum existed until a few weeks ago. The boys are completely fascinated with trains and I've been looking into taking them for a train ride in Grapevine or Rusk when I ran across the website for the museum. After reading that they were about to move to Frisco, we wanted to go check them out before the move.

Dallas owes its prosperity to the railroad. Once a small prairie town, Dallas would become a strategic intersection in a vast national system of rail lines. The Museum of the American Railroad's collection is considered one of the finest assemblages of historic railroad artifacts in the nation. The museum's collection began life as a quaint exhibit during the 1963 State Fair of Texas. The collection was established as a tangible reminder of the railroad's enormous effect on the development of Dallas and the nation. The exhibit is still located within its original 1.8 acre site in Fair Park.

This will be the last year that the museum will be part of the State Fair. They are closing their doors at the end of the State Fair this year and will start their move to their new Frisco location. It will take about six months for the move to be completed. The new location sounds like it will be amazing and I can't wait to see it. You can read about their vision for the future here. The site also has a bunch of information about the problems that the museum has had with the City of Dallas. It's very sad, but not surprising if you are from this area.

Houston & Texas Central RR., Dallas Depot, Ca. 1905

Built for the Houston & Texas Central and the Texas & New Orleans RRs, it was one of several individual depots scattered around the downtown area. In 1916, nearly all passenger trains were consolidated into the new "Union" Terminal. Our Depot became a yardmaster's office and was used until July 17, 1963. Originally located on Eakin Street (near today's Farmers Market), it was to be demolished for the construction of what is now I-30. Fortunately, it was purchased from the Texas Highway Dept, and moved here in Aug 1963. It is the only survivor of the original Dallas depots.

Depot turned gift shop. The boys were happy enough to just play with the toys.

Santa Fe Railway M-160, Brill Diesel-Electric Motorcar, 1931

Nicknamed the "Doodlebug", this is a self-propelled rail car that could pull one or two additional coaches. It was used on lightly traveled branch lines in rural areas of West Texas and New Mexico. The nickname "Doodlebug" was applied because it appeared to "doodle" along the horizon when viewed from a distance.

Wester Railroad Co. VO-1000 Diesel Electric Locomotive #1107, 1943

Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Schenectady, NY, this switch engine worked for the Colorado Fuel & Iron Works of Pueblo, CO. It was later sold to a rock quarry in New Braunfels, TX where it received the nickname "Lucy".

Union Pacific RR. DDA-40-X "Centennial" Diesel Electric Locomotive, 1969

Union Pacific's innovations with locomotives progressed beyond the steam era and the desire for a high horsepower diesel locomotive led to construction of the 6600 hp DDA40X. This locomotive had the equivalent of two 3300 hp locomotives on a single frame and was the world's largest and most powerful diesel-electric. The first of Union Pacific's new units were delivered in time for the 100th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad and numbered in the 6900s to commemorate the event. A total of 47 of these locomotives were delivered through 1971, serving in fast freight service until high maintenance costs forced their retirement in the mid 1980s. It pulled heavy freight trains over the Continental Divide between Cheyenne, WY and Ogden, UT. Centennial number 6913 was retired and donated by Union Pacific in 1986 and is one of 13 remaining examples.

TXI Industries Diesel Electric Locomotive #8000, 1942

Built by ALCO, our locomotive was purchased by the New York Susquehanna & Western Railroad, the "Susie Q". You are looking at a true war veteran! Within 6 months it was requisitioned by the War Department and shipped to Iran where it hauled war materials for the U.S. military to the port of Stalingrad during WWII. It was repatriated and sold as military surplus to TXI where it served their concrete plant in Midlothian, TX for another 25 years.

On the right: Union Pacific Railroad #4018, "Big Boy" Steam Locomotive, 1942

Why is #4018 nicknamed "Big Boy"? Because it's the world's largest steam engine ever constructed! Twenty-five of these giants were made but only eight survive in museums such as ours all across the country. Under full steam, "Big Boy" could travel 80mph, consuming 22,000 lbs of coal per hour! It was built by the ALCO Works at a cost of $265,174, that's the equivalent of $3,528,695 today!

On the left: St. Louis-San Francisco Railway #4501, 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive, 1942

Known affectionately by the staff as "Big Boy's little brother", 4501 is a school tour favorite! Sit in the Engineer's seat and imagine the sounds and smells of an operating steam engine. Ring the bell and dream of the thrill of driving a steam engine in the early 1940s.

In the back: Santa Fe Railway Interlocking Tower 19, 1903

If you thought air traffic controlling was a difficult job, try directing 80-plus trains over 20 tracks! Tower 19 was among nearly 200 railroad control towers in TX. These facilities were designed to prevent conflicting movements of trains at the intersections of two railroad lines in South Dallas from 1903 to 1993. Tower 19 was rescued from demolition and trucked to the museum in 1996. With a complete exterior restoration provided by a grant from the Communities Foundation of Texas, Tower 19 is a beautiful addition to the museum's collection.

Not sure how they could see to drive this behemoth! Look at all those pipes and knobs! (4501)

Sam really wanted to drive it! (4501)

Engineer's seat (4501)

Huge wheels and traction rods! (4501) The boys did not expect the trains to be as big as they are. Honestly, neither did I.

Big Boy's coal tender

The boys scared themselves with talk about monsters on the train.

Anything you can do I can do better. I can do anything better than you. No you can't!

Yes I can!

The boys were all over these trains.

Eagle-Picher Mining Co. Steam Locomotive #1625, 2-10-0, 1918

Nicknamed the "decapod" because of its 10 driving wheals, this locomotive is a genuine piece of history! The decapod was designed for service on the railways of Imperial Russia, but never made it to its destination due to the Bolshevik Revolution of Oct. 1917. This engine was re-wheeled and used in the states instead. It came very close to being a world traveler!

Santa Fe F-7 Diesel Electric Locomotive #49, 1952

Formerly a Canadian National Engine, this locomotive is now painted in the famous Warbonnet scheme featuring bold Southwestern colors. Santa Fe originally operated hundreds of "F-Units" to pull their passenger trains.

It reminds me of Wilson from Chuggington from this angle!

Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Ry. (B&O), "Bobber" Cabosse, 1896

This is the oldest car in the museum. It gets its nickname from the simple four-wheel arrangement which causes it to "bob" down the track.

Dallas Union Terminal Co. Steam Locomotive #7, 0-6-0 Switcher, 1923

Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, the "Seven Spot" spent its entire life switching passenger, mail, and express cars at Dallas Union Terminal. Retired in 1963, the locomotive steamed into Fair Park where its fire was dropped for the last time.

Pennsylvania Railroad #4903, GG-1 Electric Locomotive, 1940

This engine is famous for having pulled the funeral train of Senator Robert Kennedy from New York to Washington on June 8, 1968. Styled by famous industrial designer Raymond Loewy, this engine reflects the streamlined characteristics of the art deco movement. You can see a picture of the full train here.

We really enjoyed our visit to the museum. I've also enjoyed reading about the trains and their history. I'm ready to go ride one now! I'm so excited that the museum will be moving closer to us and I can't wait to see them again at their new location.