The National Railroad Museum is located alongside the Fox River on 33 acres in Ashwaubenon, part of suburban Green Bay, Wisconsin. This museum is one of the oldest railroad and train history museums in the U.S. It was started from just a few volunteers and a community dedicated to preserve railroad history.
Those efforts have produced one of the largest rail museums in the country today. Just 12 full-time staff and over 100 dedicated volunteers welcome over 75,000 visitors from all over the world each year.
Origins of the National Railroad Museum
In 1956, local residents took it upon themselves to create the concept of a national museum dedicated specifically to American railroading history. The whole idea for the museum actually grew from a community effort to save one old steam locomotive that had resided on display in a city park for years. As the community effort to save the locomotive grew larger, the number of rolling stock grew as well.
Soon, the establishment of the a new American railroad museum would become apparent through a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress. In 1958, from the humble beginnings of a few volunteers, the National Railroad Museum was established. The mission of all the folks at this museum is to educate the public's understanding and significance of American railroads in the history of this country.
Home of Railroad Legend "Big Boy" Number 4017
One of the highlights of the National Railroad Museum is the UP Class 4000 "Big Boy" steam locomotive. The Big Boy's were the largest and most powerful steam locomotives on the planet at that time. These railroad behemoths were specially designed to pull a 7.2 million pound train over the mountainous terrain and steep grades of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah.
Only 25 of these enormously powerful Big Boy locomotives were ever built. Only eight remain in various locations around the United States. Big Boy Number 4017 is restored and on display in the National Railroad Museum.
Other Historical Railroad Rolling Stock
There are more than 70 locomotives and rail cars which make up the collection at the National Railroad Museum. Included in this collection are such historical trains like General Dwight D. Eisenhower's World War II command train. The train consists of an LNER Class A4 steam locomotive, a tender, and two rail cars. It was restored in the UK and shipped to the National Railroad Museum in May 1964.
General Motor's unique Aerotrain is also here. Originally designed as the train of the future, the Aerotrain was built from existing automobile and bus components. The plan was to create a train that was super-fast, could be mass-produced from existing technology, and be profitable for the railroads of the day who were losing money to the growing business of air travel.
The Aerotrain did not perform as promised and became a monument for unplanned obsolescence in America's railroad history.
Thomas the Tank Engine is Very Popular with Children
One of the more popular activities at the National Railroad Museum is the annual Day Out With Thomas event. Children love this event and flock to it each summer to get a look at one of the museum's locomotive disguised to look just like the popular Thomas the Tank Engine.
Kids may have their pictures taken with Sir Topham Hatt, stop by the Imagination Station to get a temporary tattoo, participate in arts, crafts, and hear storytelling by various characters. The event is so popular that tickets go on sale in February and sell out quickly.
Train rides are available on vintage, life-size railroad equipment from May through September, and weekends in October. Along this 25-minute tour, various points of interest, locomotives, and other rolling stock are highlighted and discussed. The conductor on this train also talks a bit about railroad safety, the hobo culture, and how it related to railroad history.
The National Railroad Museum is open almost all year round with a few exceptions. There is a small admission fee to enter the park, but well worth the experience, especially for railfans. Get more detailed information at the National Railroad Museum website.
Mark Oehlert - Mark has 50 years life experience (wisdom comes with age, right?) and over 28 years experience writing copy for ads, articles, marketing ...
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