About Us
Come and see one of the few remaining street-running train tracks in the entire country! It is a unique experience to watch the freight trains run down the middle of Main Street in La Grange’s business district. Visitors come from all over the country to partake! Trains pass through the city an average of 23 times a day, giving spectators ample opportunity to enjoy this phenomenon. The tracks can be viewed conveniently and comfortably from the train observation tower on Main Street.
If visitors are searching for an up-close experience, then they don’t have to look farther than the La Grange Railroad Museum, a mere 900 feet away from the observation tower. The museum features an observation deck less than 30 feet away from the track system, in addition to extensive indoor and outdoor artifacts and displays.
The railroad museum has impressive outdoor rolling stock, including a steam engine constructed in 1952 in England, an authentic 1929 Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Dining Car, a 1953 L&N Caboose two other rail-yard units. The dining car operated on the very tracks that now stand just feet behind away. The premier dining service on the Pan America run between Cincinnati and New Orleans, and visitors have the exciting opportunity to experience history by renting out space.
The museum itself is housed in an original L&N Train Depot, which was constructed in 1914. The main level exhibits a wide variety of railroad artifacts and displays, including a room dedicated to the electric trolley interurban system that transported passengers between La Grange and Louisville from 1907 to 1935.
The lower level of the building the model railroad area. It is home to a wide range of functioning model train layouts, the biggest of which has over 800 feet of HO-scale track in its system! There is also a play area for young visitors interested in a hands-on experience. Additionally, there is a project room and an educational area where we welcome model railroad builders of all experience levels to collaborate and learn.
The La Grange Railroad Museum is a must-see destination. The railroad was (and still is) an integral part of La Grange’s history. Don’t miss out! Check out our website for more information and our daily operating hours.
