Railroad Train Museum in Galveston, Texas - Memories and Photos Hub
86This is a tribute to the Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas and the memories we have of it prior to the devastation of Hurricane Ike which blasted through this area in September of the year 2008. Enjoy the photos!
We happen to live in Houston west of town which is about 70 miles from Galveston, so although much damage was done here and elsewhere...it pales in comparison to what the good folks in Galveston and other areas near the Gulf of Mexico felt when Mother Nature unleashed her fury in the form of Hurricane Ike.
Hopefully the Railroad Museum will be restored to its full glory as it was in its heyday prior to the storm.
Oftentimes when people live close-by to an attraction, they do not go out of their way to visit it, but rather cross the country or even the world to see other sites of interest.
I'm happy to report that such was not the case with regard to visiting the Railroad Museum in Galveston. We toured it several times and even took out-of-town visitors since we thought it would be a venue that would be of much interest to others as it was to us.
Inside the Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas
Railroad Museum / Galveston, Texas
Yes, the Railroad Museum had a number of railroad cars on display appointed lavishly on the inside of the cars as was the custom years ago when railroad travel was more common in the United States.
We got to tour the insides of the cars and saw the compact kitchens in which meals would be routinely turned out as the trains were traveling through the countryside between destinations.
It was interesting to see the detailing in some of the cars...paneling...upholstery...and so forth.
Railroad buffs would have been interested in those details and much more as the different cars portrayed various stories.
They had on display three steam engines and also three operational diesel engines in addition to a collection of passenger and freight cars.
But what was of prime interest to me and some others was the railroad terminal in which people would have been disembarking from the trains or waiting to board trains to make or continue their journey.
Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas
Railroad Museum in Galveston
The creators of the Galveston Railroad Museum did an ingenious job of furnishing the 1930's Santa Fe Railway Station terminal waiting area with life sized white figures depicting every description of person waiting for the arrival or departure of the next train.
These included children teasing their siblings...
Soldiers calling home and talking to their parents or loved ones...
Business men planning their next meeting...
Vacationers eager to start their next exploration of sights unknown to them...
Even people catching a catnap...
Just as present day terminals would have every type of passenger this Railroad Museum in Galveston portrayed them with these white figurines to perfection.
But it did not end there!
USA Railroads in the 1930's
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Railroad Museum of Galveston - Listening to conversations in days of yesteryear...
- The Galveston Railroad Museum
The Galveston Railroad Museum
An eavesdroppers paradise!
Studying history as a child is sometimes not the most interesting of subjects, at least it was not for me. Most adults who have lived a bit longer develop more of an interest in the subject as they have matured and learned a bit more perspective over time. I now love history and learning from it.
But what if history were presented in the form of actually listening to conversations between engaging people right in front of one...even if those "people" are presented in white static human form?
This is what the creators of the Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas accomplished.
Every visitor was able to pick up a land-line telephone and overhear conversations as if they were just taking place at that exact moment in time.
The time period dated back to earlier days and soldiers were going off to war.
Politics was not immune from being discussed, in fact, interesting conversations could be overheard with one person favoring one political party or the other and what was being accomplished regarding this political action taken by the President or that new law being passed by the Congress.
Conversations also ran the gamut of everyday discussions.
The smallest of trivia to momentous occasions just as people would ordinarily talk to one another was portrayed via audio by picking up a telephone.
I believe when my aunt was visiting from Wisconsin, we lingered long enough to be able to listen to every conversation in the terminal.
When visiting the Railroad Museum with others, depending upon their interest, we sometimes moved a bit faster through the exhibits.
There was something for everyone interested in trains and that mode of travel.
This included looking at dining car menus, published timetables, even the dishes and glassware people would have utilized while on the trains. There was extensive memorabilia from the 1950's and 1960's for people to see.
In addition, a model railroad was also set up for young and old alike to enjoy.
A look from a tourist perspective of the appearance of the Railroad Museum in Galveston prior to Hurricane Ike...
Railroad Museum in Galveston
Railroad Museum in Galveston
Sadly, when Hurricane Ike came ashore about eight million dollars worth of damages was sustained by the Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas.
Originally funded by Mary Moody Northen and the Moody Foundation, the location of the Railroad Museum sits at the head of the historic Strand area in Galveston. Most of the buildings in the Strand had anywhere from 4 to even 10 or 11 feet of water in them following the storm surge from Hurricane Ike. And, needless-to-say, the power of all that moving water did much destruction.
The Railroad Museum is closed until further notice but they are hoping to reopen in late 2009 or sometime in 2010. The Center for Transportation and Commerce, a non-profit organization, owns and operates it now.
It is one of many attractions in the City of Galveston that makes visiting there a great experience.
Hopefully in the near future, those of you who missed getting to see the remarkable Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas, will once again be able to do so and create photos and memories of your own. We wish them the best of luck in the days ahead!
- home
Galveston Railroad Museum
Railroad Museum Open!
I am happy to report that the Railroad Museum has recovered from Hurricane Ike damage to the point that it is now open to the viewing public.
Hooray for the resilience of the folks living and residing in Galveston!
Model trains
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Trains
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On30/16.5 - Caboose
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How to Train Your Dragon (DVD, 2010)
Current Bid: $12.75
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Vintage LIONEL 3370 operating WELLS FARGO car with Yellow Lettering - No Reserve
Current Bid: $58.00
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More from Galveston...
- Galveston Vacation ~ Shrimp Boats, Fishing, Historic Strand and Harbor ~ Pictures and YouTube Videos
- Galveston Tx. Vacation ~ Galveston History ~ Linocut of Dazzling White Sacred Heart Church
- St. Patrick ~ St. Patrick's Church ~ Galveston Attraction in Texas
- Linocut Prints of Eaton Memorial Chapel ~ Galveston Island, Texas
...+ hurricanes on Galveston Island, Texas; other Galveston attractions... - Galveston Island ~ UTMB Galveston ~ Old Red ~ Galveston Beaches
- Galveston Attraction ~ Bishop's Palace ~ Day-tripping to Galveston Island
Have you ever visited the Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas?
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Location of Galveston in Texas
Galveston, Texas - More from Texas...
Houston, TX ~ See how close it is to Galveston?
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Thanks for the headsup on this museum. If I ever visit Galveston, this will be my first stop, since I'm a train buff. But that's unfortunate that it was damaged. Is it open now? Voting this Up and Interesting.
Hi Don,
Seeing the figures inside of the Railroad Museum in Galveston is interesting and rather striking. What is even more interesting is "eavesdropping" upon their conversations. Kids, soldiers, housewives, travelers...everything that would have been discussed between people in transit regarding the politics of the day and more mundane subjects. Thanks for reading and commenting and leaving up votes.
Hi Peggy. very interesting hub on the RR museum. Been a long time since I was on a train--one of those cars with the vista dome I think they called it. Due to a time factor getting back to my job I took the train from NJ transferred in Chicago then to Minneapolis.Loved the scenery.The trains went places one could not go any other way, I'll have to see if we have any rail museums nearby.Those white figures are sort of ghostly looking. Up, interesting,awesome and beautiful.
Hello WesternHistory,
Not only did automobile traffic increase but most goods are moved by semi-trucks today instead of rail cars. There is some talk of creating high speed passenger trains between major cities like Houston and Dallas (for example) but it never seems to come to fruition. Perhaps someday? Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub about the Railroad Train Museum in Galveston, Texas.
Very interesting hub. I enjoy reading about the old railroads and seeing exhibits. Years ago there were many passenger rail lines all over the U.S. I guess the automobile replaced a lot of these old lines.
Hi Steph,
They must be showing old hubs until the newer ones come in? Have some readied for the 3rd week of this contest. Glad you liked this hub about the Railroad Museum in Galveston. It was a great place and hopefully will be so again. Thanks for commenting.
Love this hub! Just found it featured on the contest page for Travel&Places. What a great review and lots of wonderful photos. I'd love to visit Galveston someday to see this museum. Best, Steph
Hello ahmadraza212,
I will keep writing about interesting subjects both near and far away. Thanks for responding to this Railroad Museum hub in Galveston.
hi dear very nice keep it up
That it was, sukhera143. Hopefully the Railroad Museum will re-open and be an asset to Galveston again in the near future. Certainly gives tourists something else to enjoy while there. Thanks for the comment.
Interesting.
Hi Ethel,
The Railroad Museum in Galveston certainly was a great place to visit...and will be again when they re-open, I am sure. Glad that you got to see a bit of what it was like.
Hi Mardi,
Am not surprised that more mediation is needed with regard to Hurricane Ike claims. TV is filled with ads from various law firms encouraging people to contact them if dissatisfied with their claim results. So you should be quite busy for awhile. Maybe in the future you will have more time...?
Looks and sounds a great place to visit.
Peggy,
On business, doing training to get mediators up to speed to start on Hurricane Ike insurance claim mediations. Unfortunately it is usually mad dash down, work, then mad dash home for other work up here. Would be great to meet, will keep you posted if I am down there for a bit of extra time! - Mardi
Hi Mardi,
Are you coming to Houston on business or pleasure? Just a word of caution before you make a special trip to Galveston... The Railroad Museum has not yet re-opened...so check the website I included in this piece for updates as to when they are once again operational.
Would be nice to meet you in person sometime!
Hi Peggy,
Another must see place in the Houston area. I seem to be spending a lot of time driving back and forth to Houston this last 2 months, maybe I could head out to the coast next trip down as I have never been that way.
Hi sarovai,
At my age, I have a lot of memories to share! LOL
Peggy you are going around the wonderful memories. thank u.
Hello Waren E.,
I hope you get to see the Railroad Museum in Galveston also someday in person. Am sure you will find it as interesting as did those of us who got to visit there prior to Hurricane Ike. That will mean that it is up and operating at full steam ahead. (Pun intended...LOL) Thanks for commenting.
Hi loveroflife,
Yes...seeing the railroad cars at the museum in Galveston, Texas was also very interesting but one can see such things elsewhere as well. What made this museum SO SPECIAL in my opinion was the terminal with the human shaped figures and audio features. I have never seen that elsewhere executed so well. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Pete,
With Galveston's seawall that was constructed, it is probably about as safe there as living anywhere along the Gulf Coast as to potential damage from hurricanes. People are given fair warning to get off of the Island in plenty of time and those without transportation are furnished with it. I believe that they are getting much stricter about making it manditory for evacuations if the danger level is high. After all, rescuers lives are endangered trying to rescue people who refused to leave and that is not right.
Galveston is a very old city with much of historic interest and therefore is an extremely interesting place to visit. We know some folks who live there and they love it.
Glad you liked this Railroad Museum hub.
Hello Laurel,
So happy that you liked this Galveston Railroad Museum hub. I had to laugh when you asked if I ever stay home. Of course I do! Just going through old photo albums and picking out some items that might be of interest to others with these hubs.
I've always been a bit of a camera buff...not a fancy camera ever...but I love to take pictures. Thus the larder is full (so to speak) of possible hubs for the future.
Also breaking the hubs into more manageable components makes one trip look like many. Hope that answers your question. LOL
Hi bingskee,
It is the carved faces and postures of the "people" AND their conversations that made the Railroad Museum such an interesting place. One without the other would not be nearly as fascinating or educational. They put a lot of time and effort into this Galveston museum and it showed. Everyone we ever took there loved it. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Hello, hello,
Yes, I would agree with you in that the Railroad Museum in Galveston was a bit out of the ordinary and so very informative in a friendly historic manner. Hope it resurfaces as good or better than ever after the hurricane. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
Greetings ahmadraza212,
Glad that you liked my memories of the Railroad Museum in Galveston, Texas. Thanks for the comment.
First time I ever saw a picture of one,hope to see it in real life someday Peggy W,Great hub!
The Railroad Museum looks like a fascinating place. I'll bet seeing the inside of the old railroad cars was very enjoyable.
It looks like a great place to visit. I not very big on Texas but that is offshore. I woundn't want to live on an island in the middle of hurricane alley.
Great Hub, I have enjoyed all of your Hubs, one question, Peggy do you ever stay home?
it is the detailed portrayal of each carved figures that makes it interesting. must be really amazing to see in person.
You really gave us a very interesting hub there. The museum is really unusual and therefore fascinating. Thank you so much
hi dear nice Museum - Memories picture and informative article. I like it hits for u
Hi augsfanani,
The figures are made out of something like plaster of paris. Not sure exactly but they are certainly dramatic and add greatly to the Railroad Museum in Galveston. And being able to listen to what real conversations would have been more than half a century ago really adds to the overall concept of the museum as you pointed out. Thanks for the first comment.
This is a great museum especially those white figures (what are they made of ?)and the telephone conversation even makes it a unique museum. A Great hub !
Peggy W Hub Author 3 months ago
Hi alocsin,
Yes, the Railroad Museum in Galveston is re-opened and once again operating. Since you like railroads and railroad history, I thought that you would be interested in knowing about the unique way they present things there. Thanks for your comment and votes.