Shearn Moody Plaza was the headquarters of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe until the offices closed in 1964. The majority of the building is office space for various businesses and organizations, but the large, central waiting room is the original waiting room built in 1932.

As you walk in the front door from the Strand, to your left you will observe what was the Harvey House restaurant, to your right was the ticket booth, and straight ahead was the news stand and the doors to the concourses. The waiting room is now called the People's Gallery and is populated by Ghosts of Travelers Past. The full-sized figures in the gallery were made with plaster molds of real persons, and depict individuals who might have passed through the waiting room in 1932. The figures were created in 1981 by Elliot and Ivan Schwarz.

Off to the left, where the Harvey House was, are several pieces of railroad china on display. These were donated by Henry Renfert and collectively are known as the Renfert Collection.

The Santa Fe Freight Building, to the left as one walks out onto the concourse, parallels Santa Fe Place and now houses three theaters depicting stages of Galveston history, and a HO-scale model railroad under construction.

The original Santa Fe carpentry shop faces onto the parking lot. It was converted to a replica of the 1875 Victorian era station which was located elsewhere in Galveston. This building now houses the Museum offices. The former freight offices were converted to the Museum offices and the former Railway Express building was converted to a series of theaters in which brief histories of the island are shown. The waiting room of the terminal was left essentially intact, but was peopled by plaster figures in various poses doing what passengers traveling by train would have done in the 1930s.

When renovations were complete in 1982, the Museum opened its doors to visitors. Since then, well over a million visitors have toured the Museum. With the formal establishment of the Museum, donations began to arrive. Among the more notable are the Renfert collection of railroad china, estimated to be the largest collection of its kind in the United States, which was donated by Dr. Henry Renfert of Austin, Texas, in 1991, and the "Martin W. Clement" private business car formerly used by Mr. Clement when he was President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was donated by his son, James Clement of Kingsville, Texas, in 1992.

The Museum has an important story to tell -- the birth of railroading in Texas. And it is a story that Museum intends to preserve for future generations. The state's first steam locomotive, the "General Sherman," arrived at the Port of Galveston in 1853. Railroads became the lifeblood of Texas commerce, with an ever-expanding network of rail arteries serving to link major areas. As the largest, most cosmopolitan city in the southwest, Galveston in the late 1800s was the heart, pumping cotton, sugar, and other goods onto and off of rail cars at its thriving port. During its railroading history Galveston Island has been headquarters of and/or served by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe, the Galveston, Houston and Henderson, the Gulf and Interstate, the M-K-T, the Texas and Pacific, the Burlington-Rock Island, Missouri Pacific, and the Southern Pacific.

Even today railroads play a part in Galveston life. The port is served by the Union Pacific and its subsidiary the Southern Pacific, and by the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroads. These lines carry grain, sugar, sulfur and other commodities daily. Visitors can not only see the Museum's historical collection, they can observe the daily activities at the nearby Port of Galveston's grain unloading facility.

Admission
Adults: $6
Seniors: $5
Students (age 4-12): $3
Children 3 & Under: Free

Rental Information
The Railroad Museum is a unique setting for receptions with space available both indoors or outdoors. The courtyard area includes a gazebo for entertainment and the "People's Gallery" inside offers ample space for a large reception or ball. The capacity inside is 250 seated guests. Outside in the "Garden of Steam," 1,000-seated guests can be accommodated or 1,500 for a standing reception, weather permitting. For information call (409)765-5700.

Galveston.com Visitor Ratings & Reviews RATE AND REVIEW BY CLICKING HERE

Rating Rated by Date Review Leslie 8/1/2008 12:43:00 PM My three-year-old son was in train heaven. Far more trains to actually tour than I ever expected!!! Steve Smythers 6/28/2008 10:46:00 AM My family enjoyed the museum. Nice collection of vintage cars and engines. My boys enjoyed the model layouts.

Hours of Operation
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and during Mardi Gras.

March thru December:
Open Daily: 10am - 4pm

January & February:
Wednesday thru Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Note: Hours may be seasonal and subject to change.

Payments Accepted
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