by Tracy Morrison

Created on: April 13, 2010   Last Updated: April 16, 2010

Take a step back 100 years into the past and discover what it was like to travel from 1825 into as late as the 1970's. The Oklahoma Railway Museum restores and displays an eclectic collection of railway "keepsakes" from steam to diesel electric engines. Some railway museums allow you to "view" the cars, but the Oklahoma Railway Museum allows you to tour and experience the method of travel that catapulted this country into the "age of steam" and allowed for Americans to travel from state to state on more than just a covered wagon.

Trains revolutionized the transport of mail, people and agricultural goods in the United States. At the start of the 19th century, boats, covered wagons, and horse drawn carriages were the only option offered to Americans wanting to move or travel within the country. 

The Oklahoma Railway Museum boasts the following: "The Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) was founded in 1972 by railroad enthusiasts, who had interests in modeling, photography, historic preservation, and riding trains."  The group that runs the museum had begun collecting equipment and rail cars over several years. As you tour the museum on a warm day you will typically will see the group members working on their newest acquisition, making it display ready.

The train depot on the grounds was built in 1905 and has been fully restored and contains an old time ticket counter and small gift and memorabilia shop. During certain holidays, the museum offers rides powered by fully restored steam or diesel engines pulling passenger cars from days gone past. Most of these events sellout very quickly. Go to http://www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org/ for any event schedules.

 The Oklahoma Railway Museum is unique in that most of the cars that are displayed are set up for you to actually tour the car. Some railway museum simply allow you to look in windows. Being able to walk thru the rail cars allows you to truly experience what passengers and rail employees experienced back in the day the car was in use. Some of the passenger cars they currently have on display are:

SANTA FE DINER

UP OBS. CAFÉ LOUNGE

PULLMAN TOURIST SLEEPER   

Treat yourself this Saturday to a journey back to the days of rail travel. Its an experience that you or your children will never forget. The museum is conveniently located just a half mile west of I-35 off of Exit 131 (NE 36th street), on historic Grand Boulevard in Oklahoma City, a half mile east of Martin Luther King Boulevard, just South of Lincoln Park Golf Course.1 mile South of the Oklahoma City Zoo. For more information, please call 405-424-8222 

The Oklahoma Railway Museum, Inc., 3400 N.E. Grand Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73111

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