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
General Admission is free
The museum is open:
Friday and Saturday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. You must register online before you visit.
Holiday Hours:
Open November 26th and 27th
Closed December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st
All donations support the Union Pacific Museum Association, a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit.
Visitor Reviews
"Great place to go on a winter's day. Very educational!" |
"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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Holiday Hours
The museum will be open the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. We will be open December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18 with model trains on display, and closed the weeks of Christmas and New Years.
Click here to reserve your visit in December or in the new year
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Model Trains at the Museum
Throughout the month of December members of the N-Trak model train club are taking over the museum! December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18 they'll be hosting model train displays in the Working on the Modern Railroad exhibit on the museum's second floor.
They'll have a fully operational tabletop N-scale train display as well as an HO layout that visitors will be encouraged to operate themselves. The museum will also offer a winter wonderland craft table for seasonal make-and-takes.
Entry to see the model trains is included with (always free) entry to the museum. Visitors will need to reserve their time to visit online here
Appointments are plentiful, but schedule ahead to avoid missing out. Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible.
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Museum Reopening Update
Welcome back, we’ve missed you!
The Union Pacific Museum is now open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. It's still free to visit, but you must register online at least 1 hour before your visit and wear a face mask in the building.
To visit the Union Pacific Museum, you will need to:
- Come in groups of 10 or less
- Wear a facemask or face covering if you are over 2 years old
- Come to the north side museum entrance, which is on the lowest level, at your appointed time. If you arrive early, you will have to wait outside. If you arrive late, you will not be able to enter unless there is an empty slot.
- Follow all posted directional signage and informationIf you are feeling unwell, please wait to visit! We encourage everyone to please get vaccinated before traveling or visiting.
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Free Virtual Public Programs
Join us on Zoom for a variety of historical presentations. These programs are totally free, you just need to register. Find the full slate of virtual public programs here
Saturday, November 20: Model Trains - Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour
5:30pm Central Time
This time of year many people have model trains under the tree. We'll take a look at the history of toy trains and talk about the model railroading hobby today.
Saturday, December 11: Year End Holiday Party - Steam into Saturday Virtual Happy Hour5:30pm Central Time
Celebrate the season and the closing of another year. We'll play some games, do a little trivia, and talk holiday trains. -
Railroads In Native America Gathering
May 19-21, 2022
Ogden Union Station
2501 Wall Ave, Ogden, Utah
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SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - FREE First Friday Night at the Museum Every Month
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, First Friday Night at the Museum is suspended until it is once again safe to gather in person.
