St. Louis, MO
National Museum of Transportation
4.7· 2,716 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-23- TypeTransportation museum with miniature-train and historic-trolley rides on its St. Louis County campus
- LocationSt. Louis, MO
- Rating4.7 ★2,716 Google reviews
- UpcomingFri, Sep 25
- Tickets & faresAdults $16; seniors, military members, and first responders $14; children ages 2-12 $8
- AccessibilityMuch of the museum is outdoors; contact staff before visiting when terrain, boarding, or building access is essential
About National Museum of Transportation
Founded in 1944, the National Museum of Transportation preserves more than 190 major rail and transit exhibits across a 42-acre campus. This is primarily a transportation museum rather than a full-size scenic excursion railroad, but visitors can add unlimited rides on the Wm. F. Ross Special miniature train and, on published volunteer operating days, ride a historic trolley between campus areas.
Choose Your Museum Ride and Visit
Choose the visit that fits your groupFamilies and visitors wanting a repeatable ride
Wm. F. Ross Special miniature train
Add $7 to museum admission for unlimited short campus rides on a published operating day.
Transit history fans and campus visitors
Historic trolley rides
Ride between campus areas at no extra charge when the volunteer program is operating.
Railfans, families, and transportation-history visitors
Rail and transit collection
Explore more than 190 major exhibits, including Big Boy 4006, Daniel Nason, and FT 103.
Architecture and design visitors
Frank Lloyd Wright House
Reserve a separate one-hour tour of the nearby Kraus House in Ebsworth Park.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- ParkingFree fenced parking is available on the museum campus
- AccessibilityMuch of the museum is outdoors; contact staff before visiting when terrain, boarding, or building access is essential
- AdmissionAdults $16; seniors, military members, and first responders $14; children ages 2-12 $8
- Miniature Train$7 per person beyond required museum admission, with unlimited rides that day
- TrolleyIncluded with admission on published operating days
- HoursDaily through September 7; generally Wednesday-Sunday September 8-December 31, with published holiday exceptions
- Visit LengthAllow two to four hours for the primarily outdoor collection and rides
- FoodOutside food is allowed in outdoor picnic areas; check current concession availability
- PetsLeashed dogs are permitted outdoors only, not inside buildings or aboard rides
- Ride ReliabilityMiniature train is subject to weather and mechanical issues; trolley is subject to weather plus car, crew, and volunteer availability
- TimezoneAll published times are local Central Time
Find the Depot
The Trains
The active ride program consists of the Wm. F. Ross Special miniature train and historic electric trolley cars operating on the campus. The broader collection is display-focused and includes Union Pacific Big Boy 4006, the 1858 Daniel Nason steam locomotive, and General Motors demonstrator FT 103. Display status does not imply that a full-size locomotive operates in public excursion service.
History
The Daniel Nason steam locomotive was built and survives as one of the collection's earliest locomotives.
General Motors FT demonstrator 103 helped prove mainline diesel-electric freight power.
Union Pacific Big Boy 4006 entered service.
The National Museum of Transportation was founded.
The museum published full miniature-train and trolley schedules for the current season.
See full history
The museum was founded in 1944 and developed on a 42-acre site incorporating historic railroad infrastructure. Its collection now spans railroads, streetcars, automobiles, aircraft, and other transportation history. The operating miniature train and demonstration trolley add short campus rides to a museum visit without turning the site into a conventional scenic railroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the museum operate full-size scenic train rides?
No. The public rides are a miniature train and a historic campus trolley. Full-size locomotives and railcars are museum exhibits.
How much is admission?
Current general admission is $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, military members, and first responders, and $8 for children ages 2-12.
What does the miniature train cost?
It costs $7 per person beyond required museum admission and allows unlimited rides that day.
Is the trolley included?
Yes, on published operating days, but service depends on volunteers, weather, car condition, and crew availability.
How long should I allow?
Plan two to four hours, especially if riding both attractions and exploring the largely outdoor collection.
Can I bring food or a dog?
Outside food may be used in outdoor picnic areas. Leashed dogs are allowed outdoors only, not inside buildings or on rides.
What are the signature locomotives?
Highlights include Union Pacific Big Boy 4006, the 1858 Daniel Nason, and General Motors FT demonstrator 103.
How far is the Frank Lloyd Wright House?
The checked road route is about 3.2 kilometers or 2.0 miles and takes roughly six minutes in normal routing.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 23, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official plan-your-visit page for campus planning, rides, parking, food, pets, and visit length
- Official hours and admission page for current prices, museum calendar, and ride schedules
- Official FAQ for visitor policies and accessibility planning
- Official collection directory for rail and transit scope
- Official Big Boy 4006 collection record
- Official Daniel Nason collection record
- Official General Motors 103 collection record
- Official events calendar for remaining 2026 special-event dates
