Explore Railroad
History!
Located in historic downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the Missouri River, we're a great place for friends and family to come and learn about the Union Pacific Railroad.
Directions200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Museum Information
Free, Self-Guided General Admission
The museum is open:
Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Planning your visit? Download our app, MuseumStars! Available in the App Store and Google Play Store!
Once downloaded, search 'Union Pacific Railroad Museum' to access our virtual tours and activities!
Visitor Reviews
"Keep up the good work. It was fun learning about trains. It's an amazing museum!" |
"This museum has fantastic displays! Love the demonstration of what made America great: hard working American spirit!" |
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Club Car Conversation: Deep Cuts of the Transcontinental Railroad
Join us virtually on Tuesday, March 17 at 5:30pm CDT to explore deep cuts of the Transcontinental Railroad where through photos we tell the human stories of the people who interacted with and the workers who built the railroad.
The transcontinental railroad was a monumental feat in engineering and construction that touched the lives of people all across the continent. Beyond the story of its construction are the stories of those people. From Irish immigrants looking for work after escaping famine, to former Civil War soldiers returning from war, to Chinese workers finding employment after being excluded from working in the gold mines, and the Native Americans living in lands disrupted by the railroad, join us on Zoom on Tuesday, March 17 as we use photographs from our collection to expose these deep cut human stories of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Club Car Conversations are casual virtual conversations about railroads, history, and pop culture. They are free and open to the public! Just RSVP here to receive the link to join!
Can't make it, but want to listen in? Still register! All registered receive a recording of the zoom that is available for 10 days!
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Check out our new book!
Looking for some throwback recipes? Check out our new UP Commissary cook book! For more than a century, UP employees delivered high-quality meals and service to the public traveling on their iconic trains. This mid-20th century Dining Car Service Manual from the UP collection has been reproduced for you to enjoy!
Get a behind-the-scenes look into what it took to deliver world-class service in a moving restaurant. Recreate some of your favorites or try something new!
The Union Pacific Dining Car Cook Book and Service Instructions (replica edition) is available for purchase now!
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Check out our new temporary exhibit!
Law and Order on the Railroad:Learn about the evolution of railroad law enforcement from the beginning of the railroad until today!
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Join us for our free public events
History Express FREE Tour: Saturdays starting at 1:30 p.m.
Experience a standing tour that explores the overview history of 150 plus years of the railroad. No reservation needed. We will meet in front of the business car on the first floor.
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Our mission is to share American History through the lens of the railroad, connecting generations who have been impacted by Union Pacific
The museum is housed in a historic Carnegie Library building in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Visitors can explore an extensive compilation of items from 150 years of our nation's western history, including artifacts, photographs, documents and equipment.
All donations support the Union Pacific Museum Association, a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit.
