First rate locomotive museum. They have the Big Boy (#4017) on display in such a way you can physically touch the locomotive. I photographed internal working parts from underneath the chassis. Very special. In fact, everything is accessible as well.
There were grade school children very excited they can walk through the passenger cars and sleepers. They were wowed over the massive scale of the locomotives. It was nice to see such interest.
I highly recommend personal visits as well as schools bringing children on a field trip to the museum.
What an amazing experience at the National Railroad Museum 🚂✨ This place is pure fun for both kids and adults alike! The museum does an incredible job preserving an important part of American history 🇺🇸 From the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy to the Eisenhower and the beautiful Hiawatha Express, there are so many impressive trains and historic exhibits to explore 🚆🔥
One of the coolest parts was being able to step inside several of the train cars with their interiors still beautifully preserved. It really feels like traveling back in time and experiencing what rail travel was like decades ago 🕰️💺 The craftsmanship and scale of these massive machines are truly breathtaking.
Every time I visit, I leave wishing these giant trains were still part of everyday life 😊 Highly recommend this museum to anyone interested in history, engineering, or just looking for a unique and memorable adventure! 👍
It is the only congressionally designated National Train Museum. The main pavilion has so much ight and space as if trains were just delivered to hit the roads.
There is a nice picknicka area, two circles rides, and the observation tower. From the tower there is a nice view over the museum, river, and... the Lambeau Field.
At the museum you'll see more than 80 railroad cars and locomotives, including the biggest ever steam engine, ready for your close inspection. It is far from the biggest train museum but trains here are kept in the "new" condition.
Totally worthwhile the visit! You can go into many restored historic train cars and engines, such as the massive Big Boy steam engine or two Pullman sleeper cars. You grasp how luxurious and comfortable train rides used to be but also how hard the work was operating those trains. The signage explains well what you're looking at or experiencing. And the well stocked museum store even offers postcards, which I'm always looking for.
Museum is packed with train history. Very cool to see how things once were (bedding made of straw, tiny sinks in luxury travel compartments, coal stove to fuel engine). Festival of Trees was beautiful and some very creative decorations. Could have had holiday music playing (was super quiet). Enjoyed visit and recommend for a 90 minute option to do tourist thing.
Visited 12/30/25 with my dad and my 16 year old son. Overall it was a great experience. Too cold for any train rides but still enjoyed looking at the exhibits and reading about the history. The "Big Boy" train and the post office train were my favorites.
I love trains! It's amazing to me some of the locomotives they had on site. The wheels were taller than I was. Very good place to spend an afternoon.
They've got a ton of really cool trains and cars you can see and get into. Lots of places to go inside as well during the cold Wisconsin winters. The children's depot is great to spend time in as well.