The National Museum of Transportation is the best answer in the St. Louis area for anyone who loves trains, and it is a long way from a hushed gallery of glass cases. It sits on 42 acres at 2933 Barrett Station Road in Kirkwood, southwest of downtown, and most of the collection stands outdoors or in large sheds where you can walk up to, around and in some cases inside the exhibits. The museum holds more than 70 locomotives, among them Union Pacific Big Boy number 4006, one of the largest steam locomotives ever built and an astonishing sight when you stand beside its driving wheels. Beyond the railroad collection, the grounds hold automobiles, aircraft, watercraft and streetcars, so a visit becomes a tour through a century or more of how Americans have moved themselves and their goods. A seasonal miniature train runs from roughly April to October, weather permitting, and there is a children's play area called Creation Station, so the museum works for families as well as enthusiasts. The setting is open and informal, with plenty of space to wander and photograph, and you can easily spend two to four hours. Parking is free and on site. Because so much of the experience is outdoors, the weather matters: it is a wonderful place on a fine spring or autumn day and a less comfortable one in deep summer heat or winter cold. Hours run Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00 and from noon to 16:00 on Sunday, with holiday hours that may differ.
How to visit
The museum is about a 25-minute drive from downtown and is easiest by car, since the entrance is off Barrett Station Road in Kirkwood and parking is free. Admission is charged by age, with a lower rate for seniors and children and free entry for the youngest, and the miniature train and play area carry small extra charges. The museum's own site sells tickets online, which is useful at busy times, and weekdays are quieter than weekends. Always check current hours, since holiday schedules can differ.
What to expect
The stars are the locomotives. Walk the lines of steam and diesel engines, stand beside Big Boy 4006 and look at the size of its wheels, and then explore the passenger cars and streetcars. Further across the site are automobiles, aircraft and boats, which make a good counterpoint for people who are not rail fans. A good deal of the collection is outdoors, so wear sturdy shoes, bring water and plan around the heat or cold. The miniature train is a favorite with younger children and runs in the warmer months only.
Making the most of it
Allow at least two hours and up to four if you are a rail enthusiast, and visit on a dry day. It combines well with a drive through Kirkwood, whose old railway depot and town center are close by, and it fits a family day better than a quick stop.
For something indoor and rainy, choose the Science Center or City Museum instead. If you are comparing St. Louis museums, this is the most hands-on, the least polished and the most rewarding for children who like big machines. Confirm prices and the season for the miniature train before you travel.
What to expect
The experience
A largely outdoor, self-guided museum of locomotives, cars, aircraft and streetcars on 42 acres.
Best time
A dry spring or autumn day; the miniature train runs roughly April to October.
How long
Two to four hours.
Tips
Wear sturdy shoes, buy tickets online at busy times, visit on a weekday if you can and check the site for current hours.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Rail fans, families with children who love big machines and photographers.
- Families
- Excellent for children, with a miniature train in season and a play area.
- Couples
- Better for shared enthusiasts than for a romantic outing.
- Pair with
- A drive through Kirkwood or a visit to the Science Center on another day.
- Time needed
- Allow two to four hours.
Good questions
What is the star exhibit?+
Union Pacific Big Boy number 4006, one of the largest steam locomotives ever built, is the highlight of a collection of more than 70 locomotives.
Where is the museum?+
It is at 2933 Barrett Station Road in Kirkwood, southwest of downtown St. Louis, and parking is free.
When is it open?+
Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00 and Sunday from noon to 16:00, with holiday hours that may differ. Confirm on the museum's own site.
Is there a train ride?+
A seasonal miniature train runs roughly April to October, weather permitting, for a small extra charge.
Is it mostly indoors?+
No. Much of the collection is outdoors or in open sheds, so the weather affects the visit.
