Union Pacific Railroad Museum – Discover 150 Years Of Rail History Near Omaha
See real artifacts, interactive displays, and rare train exhibits at this free museum located near the start of the Transcontinental Railroad.
Jul 15, 2025428 Shares5.7K Views
Location & Building
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is located at 200 Pearl Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just a short drive from downtown Omaha. It sits inside the old Carnegie Library, a historic building that opened in 1905. With its grand Beaux-Arts architecture, the building was carefully restored to house the museum. The museum officially opened on May 10, 2003, to mark the 134th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The location is both symbolic and practical, placing visitors at a key point in railroad history.
History & Origins
Union Pacific’s museum collection began in 1921, when the company displayed historical train items in its Omaha headquarters. As the collection grew, it moved to a larger exhibit space in downtown Omaha in 1939. In the early 2000s, Union Pacific partnered with the City of Council Bluffs and local volunteers to create a permanent public museum. The former Carnegie Library building was chosen and remodeled to fit the growing collection. Since its opening, the museum has focused on telling the story of Union Pacific’s impact on American transportation and westward expansion.
Permanent Exhibits
The museum features several major galleries that cover different parts of railroad history. The “Building America”exhibit explains how the Transcontinental Railroad was built, with a focus on Union Pacific’s role. It includes original documents, photos, and immersive visual displays. “America Travels by Rail”explores how people used trains for travel in the mid-20th century, leading up to the creation of Amtrak in 1971. There’s also a special Lincoln Collection, honoring President Abraham Lincoln’s support of railroads, especially his signing of the Pacific Railway Act in 1862. Another important exhibit, “Move Over, Sir!”, tells the story of women who worked in railroad jobs across 150 years.
Interactive Displays & Visitor Amenities
The museum offers more than just static exhibits. One of the most popular attractions is the locomotive cab simulator, where visitors can sit inside a train cab and try virtual controls. Other interactive displays teach about railroad signals, passenger cars, and cargo operations. A free mobile app helps guide visitors with audio tours and trivia. The museum is fully accessible, with wheelchair ramps and restrooms. Visitors can park along the street, and the small gift shop has train-themed items and souvenirs.
Traveling Exhibits & Outreach
The museum also sends traveling exhibits to other towns, schools, and libraries. These displays cover topics like military trains, the history of women in railroads, and the connection between trains and America’s national parks. These exhibits are easy to set up and are available for rent, making railroad history more accessible to communities that may not be able to visit the museum in person. The outreach program supports education across Nebraska and Iowa.
Significance & Recognition
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is located near Mile 0of the Transcontinental Railroad, where Union Pacific’s original line began. This gives the museum special meaning for historians and rail fans. Since opening in 2003, it has welcomed nearly 500,000 visitors. It has earned several honors, including being named a top local attraction in Pottawattamie County and being listed among the best transportation museums in the U.S. by USA Today. It continues to attract families, school groups, and train lovers from across the region.
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