FRISCO, TX
Museum of the American Railroad
4.5· 407 Google reviews
At a Glance
- TypeHeritage railroad & tourist attraction
- LocationFRISCO, TX
- Rating4.5 ★407 Google reviews
- UpcomingFri, Oct 9
About Museum of the American Railroad
Visitors walk among more than 70 steam, diesel, passenger and freight pieces spread across 15 acres in Frisco, Texas, exploring one of the largest historic rail collections in the United States. Guided tours reveal a 1941 Union Pacific Big Boy, operational Fairbanks‑Morse locomotives, vintage Pullman sleepers and a Pennsylvania Railroad GG‑1 electric. Adjacent, the 2,500‑square‑foot TrainTopia G‑scale layout animates Texas‑to‑Arizona scenery, complete with a night‑time light show.
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingFree lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- HoursMonday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The collection spans more than 70 steam, diesel, passenger, and freight pieces across 15 acres, including a 1941 Union Pacific Big Boy, operational Fairbanks-Morse locomotives, vintage Pullman sleepers, and a Pennsylvania Railroad GG-1 electric.
History
See full history
The museum’s origins trace to a modest exhibit at Dallas Fair Park in 1963, which remained a fixture of the State Fair of Texas for decades. In 1986 the exhibit was incorporated as the Museum of the American Railroad, establishing it as a formal nonprofit institution. A strategic “Visions 2006” plan called for a comprehensive reorganization, and the museum vacated its original site in November 2011, moving its offices and some displays to the Frisco Heritage Museum while construction began on a new campus two blocks south. The relocation was completed at 6299 Cotton Gin Road in Frisco, with the move officially recognized in 2013. An additional milestone arrived in July 2018 when the museum opened the TrainTopia G‑scale model layout in the adjacent Frisco Discovery Center.
Around the Depot
From Frisco, Texas, the Museum of the American Railroad pairs with the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, about 20 mi off, and the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority, roughly 24 mi away.
Museum of the American RailroadMuseum2 min walkDirections →TrainTopiaMuseum·★ 4.5 (410)2 min walkDirections →Frisco Discovery CenterMuseum·★ 4.5 (343)2 min walkDirections →Sci-Tech Discovery CenterMuseum·★ 4.1 (324)2 min walkDirections →National Videogame MuseumMuseum·★ 4.8 (4102)3 min walkDirections →Jimmy and Clara Jones ParkPark·★ 4.7 (13)6 min walkDirections →Heritage Association of Frisco, IncMuseum·★ 5 (3)7 min walkDirections →Frisco Heritage Center: Smith-Muse HouseAttraction·★ 5 (2)8 min walkDirections →
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Frisco
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Museum of the American Railroad located?
FRISCO, TX 75034
How do I get tickets to Museum of the American Railroad?
Tickets and current schedules are available on the operator's official website at http://www.historictrains.org.
When is the next event at Museum of the American Railroad?
The next scheduled event is "Day Out with Thomas: The Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour" on Friday, October 9, 2026. See the full upcoming-events list on this page.