National Railroad Museum

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National Railroad Museum
Victor McCormick Train Pavilion and Frederick J Lenfestey Center at National Railroad Museum.jpg
The Victor McCormick Train Pavilion (left) and Frederick J Lenfestey Center (right) at the National Railroad Museum.
National Railroad Museum
Established1956;69 years ago (1956)
Location Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin
Coordinates 44°28′59.9″N88°02′52.8″W / 44.483306°N 88.048000°W / 44.483306; -88.048000
Type Railway museum
CEOJacqueline Frank [1]
Website nationalrrmuseum.org

The National Railroad Museum( reporting mark NRMX) is a railroad museum located in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, United States. [2]

Contents

Founded in 1956 by community volunteers, the National Railroad Museum is one of the oldest and largest U.S. institutions dedicated to preserving and interpreting the nation's railroad history. [3] Two years later, a joint resolution of Congress recognized the museum as the National Railroad Museum. The museum has been a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization since 1958. [4] [5]

Its collection of locomotives and rolling stock spans more than a century. Notable items include an Aerotrain; Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4017, one of the world's largest steam locomotives; and British Railways Class A4 No. 60008 Dwight D Eisenhower (ex-London & North Eastern Railway No. 4496 Golden Shuttle) and train used by the Supreme Allied Commander and his staff in the United Kingdom and continental Europe during World War II. [6]

The Frederick J. Lenfesty Center, an enclosed and climate-controlled structure, built in 2001, houses several of the unique and rarer locomotives and cars. A museum building houses railroad artifacts, an archive, and photography gallery. A standard gauge track rings the grounds. An 80-foot (24 m) wooden observation tower has views of the Fox River and Green Bay.

The museum hosted an annual Day Out with Thomas event until 2019, in which Thomas the Tank Engine pulled young friends past the exhibited rolling stock. In October, it hosts "Terror on the Fox", the Green Bay Preble Optimist Club's haunted attraction that includes "haunted" train rides after dark. [7]

Expansion

A $17 million project expanded the indoor display area and added a plaza along the river. [8] Opened on September 20, 2025, it used $7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds contributed by the state of Wisconsin. [9]

Rolling stock

Steam Locomotives

RailroadClassRoad numberNotesImage
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway 5011 class (2-10-4) 5017 Built by Baldwin in July of 1944, 5017 is the museum's second largest locomotive, after the Big Boy, and is the only oil-burning steam locomotive in the museum's collection. 2736 was donated December 27th, 1959 by the Santa Fe Railroad President, Ernest S. Marsh. It is currently sitting in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion. ATSF 5017.jpg
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway K-4 class 2-8-42736Built in 1944 by Alco, 2736 is one of 12 preserved C&O K-4s. 2736 was donated July 7th, 1961 by the C&O. It is currently sitting in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion. Chesapeake & Ohio No. 2736 August 2021.jpg
Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad SC-4 2-8-0 Consolidation24Built in 1910 by Alco, 24 is the oldest locomotive in the museum's collection and one of the few steam locomotives to have operated there. It pulled train rides until 1972 when the boiler was deemed to thin for the engine to continue operation. 24 was donated in May of 1962 by the LS&I. It is currently sitting in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion. Lake Superior & Ishpeming No. 24 August 2021.jpg
British Rail A4 4-6-2 60008 Dwight D. Eisenhower Built in 1937 at Doncaster Works, 60008 is the only British passenger locomotive in the United States, and one of two A4s displayed in North America; the other being 4489 Dominion of Canada. In 2012, it was temporarily shipped back to England for restoration and to be displayed alongside the other 5 A4s in an event known as "The Great Gathering". It returned to Green Bay in 2014. [10] Eisenhower was donated April 27, 1964 by British Railways and arrived the following month. It is currently preserved in the climate controlled Frederick J. Lenfesty Center. Dwight D. Eisenhower NRM.jpg
Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway E-1 class 2-10-2506Built in 1917 by Alco, 506 is the first of ten E1 Class locomotives built for the Duluth Missabe & Northern. No. 506 was in service with the DM&IR until 1962 and was donated to the museum the same year. It is the only preserved member of it's class. 506 was donated in May of 1962 by the DM&IRR. It is currently sitting in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion. Duluth Missabe & Iron Range 506 August 2021.jpg
Ely-Thomas Lumber Co.Shay5Built by Lima in 1917, 5 is the only narrow gauge locomotive at the museum, running on 3ft gauge track. 5 was donated by Mr. George Bantha Jr. in July of 1972. It is currently sitting largely dissassembled on a flatcar in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion. Locomotive parts NRMX.jpg
Pullman Company 0-4-0ST29Built by Alco in 1923, 29 (previously known as the Brillion Pioneer) is one of the few steam locomotives to have operated at the museum. It pulled trains until it was banned by the City of Green Bay due to a chromium-lined chimney, which created toxic fumes. 29 was donated in August of 1961 by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fuller. It is currently preserved in the climate controlled Frederick J. Lenfesty Center. Hugh llewelyn 29 (5963546955).jpg
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (Soo Line)H-23 class (4-6-2) 2718 George Banta Jr. Built by Alco in May of 1924, 2718 was the first piece to ever arrive at the museum. While technically obtained after the 261, it arrived earlier in the day than the 261. For the first few years of its time at the museum, the 2718 pulled excursion trains on the Soo Line's mainline with sister locomotive 2719. It was formerly retired in the early 60s. 2718 was donated by the Soo Line on March 10, 1958 and arrived at the museum later that year. It is currently sitting in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion. National Railroad Museum NRHS convention Nos. 2718 and 5017.jpg
Sumter & Choctaw Railway 2-8-2 102 Built in June of 1924 by Baldwin, 102 is the only steam locomotive that still traverses the museum's working loop. While it arrived at the museum with a cracked boiler and has never steamed there, in 1988 the Green Bay and Western Railroad's Norwood shops built a faux tender for it using parts for a GE 45 ton diesel switcher. It is normally used for special events as the tender is underpowered and prone to overheating. 102 was donated June 5th, 1962 by the Marathon Paper Division of the American Can Co. It is currently sitting in the Victor McCormick Train Pavillion and it's original tender sits outside, behind the building. Sumter & Choctaw No. 102 at the National Railroad Museum - May 2009.jpg
United States Army 10-36E 2-8-0 101 Built by Baldwin sometime between 1916 and 1918, the 101 is the last example of it's class in preservation. After serving the United States Army in country during the first and second world wars, the 101 was shipped to Korea in 1951 to fight in the Korean War. While in Korea, it became property of the Republic of Korea and during this time it's cab was blown up. It was discovered by Col. George Simpson (who later became museum director) and reconstructed by Army Transporation Troops. 101 was donated in 1958 by President Sygman Rhee of the Republic of Korea. It is currently preserved in the climate controlled Frederick J. Lenfesty Center. 101 General Pershing (5964105122).jpg
Union Pacific Railroad 4000 class "Big Boy" 4-8-8-4 4017 Built by Alco in December of 1944, Big Boy 4017 is one of the 8 remaining Big Boy type locomotives. An impromptu attempt to bring the locomotive to steam in 1970 was reportedly attempted by visiting rail crew from the Flying Scotsman, but was aborted after 20 tons of coal failed to heat the boiler enough to produce steam. [11] 4017 is the only Big Boy with a tender (from Big Boy 4023) from the 1944 order of Big Boys, whose tenders held a larger fuel capacity. 4017 was donated in July of 1961 by Chairman of the Union Pacific Railroad, E. Rolland Harriman (for whom 4017 was once named). Big Boy 4017 NRM.jpg

Diesel locomotives

RailroadModelRoad numberNotesImage
Wisconsin Central Ltd. (Ex - Fox River Valley Railroad) EMD SD24 [12] 2402 (CBQ 510)Ex-CBQ, previously restored back to its Fox River Valley Railroad appearance.
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) FM H-10-44 [13] 767 National Railroad Museum NRHS convention Milwaukee Road 767 August 2021.jpg
Georgia Pacific Railway Alco S-2 73 (Ex - 63–146)EX-SBRR, Currently painted in Great Northern Orange and Green numbered 11 though it was never operated by GN
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad General Motors Aerotrain [14] Trainset 2Comes with the main engine and two cars.

One of only two surviving trainsets

GM Aerotrain Number 2 NRMX.jpg
Green Bay and Western Railroad Alco C430 [15] 315 GBW 315.jpg
Manistique and Lake Superior Railroad (Later Ann Arbor Railroad) Alco S-3 10 Green Bay and Western No. 106 at the National Railroad Museum - May 2009.jpg
Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway EMD NW1 D538 MSTL D-538.jpg
Wisconsin Central Ltd. EMD GP30 715Ex-SOO Wisconsin Central GP30 Ltd No 715.jpg
Southern Pacific Transportation Company ALCO S-6 1201 (Currently painted as GBW 106)Operational, mainly used for excursion runs around the museum property GBW 106.jpg
United States Army Whitcombe 44-ton switcher 106
United States Army ALCO RSD-1 8651 United States Army ALCO RSD-1 No 8651 at NMRX.jpg
Canadian National Railway EMD E9 103Donated by Canadian National Railway 2/2024 [16] Canadian National No. 103 - May 2009.jpg
Wisconsin Central Ltd. EMD SW1500 1563Donated by Canadian National Railway on 11/13/2019 [17] CN 1563 at the National Railroad Museum.jpg

Electric locomotives

RailroadClassRoad numberNotesImage
Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 4890PRR GG1 4890 at NRM, Green Bay, Wi in 2004. PRR GG1 4890 at NRM, Green Bay, 20040426.jpg

Passenger cars

RailroadTypeRoad numberNotesImage
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Dining car Dothan Dothan (5964102960).jpg
Chicago and North Western Transportation Company Bi-Level passenger car 32
Chicago and North Western Transportation Company Combination Baggage/Passenger car 7411 Chicago & North Western RR coach "Clyde J. Fitzpatrick" and Annapee & Western Railroad "Verne M. Bushman" (5978430275).jpg
Chicago and North Western Transportation Company Hospital Service Car"Joseph Lister"
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Observation car 300 "Silver Spirit"This observation car once served the Burlington Route, and has been recently restored. It is only used for certain events and is displayed outdoors. Silver Spirit at the National Railroad Museum.jpg Lightweight observation interior.jpg
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad 7 duplex bedroom, 4 section, 3 double bedroom, 1 compartment sleeping car 1269 "Poplar River" (ex GN - same name and number)This train car was used on the Empire Builder.
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Railway post office car 2330
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Railway Express Agency car1580
Green Bay and Western Railroad Combination Mail/Baggage/Express car21 (ex passenger coach 52)
Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Passenger car 62
Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad Combination Baggage/Passenger car 63 LSI Combination baggage passenger car No 63.jpg
London and North Eastern Railway LNER Teak Sleeper Dwight D. Eisenhower 1591From Dwight D. Eisenhower's command train, and is coupled behind the locomotive.
London and North Eastern Railway LNER Teak Sleeper Dwight D. Eisenhower 1592From Dwight D. Eisenhower's command train, and is coupled behind the locomotive (currently coated in armor plating) LNER Class A4 4496 Dwight D Eisenhower rear view at the National Railroad Museum - May 2009.jpg
Pullman Company Sleeping car Pullman 8667 "Lake Mitchell"
Reading Company XUsed as part of Terror on the Fox, a train ride during Halloween time.
Reading Company YUsed as part of Terror on the Fox.
Reading Company YCurrently painted as NRM "Josephine".
Tennessee Central Railway Business car (Monon) 100
Union Pacific Railroad Astra Dome diner8003Used on the City of Los Angeles (currently undergoing restoration in museum shops)

Freight cars

RailroadTypeRoad numberNotesImage
Akron, Canton and Youngstown Railroad Outside braced boxcar 3011
American Cyanamid Covered hopper 134
Armour and Company Refrigerator car 4408
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Flatcar 206983
Union Refrigerated Transit Company Refrigerator car 72733leased to Black Hills Packing Company URTC refrigerator car URTX 72733 at NRMX.jpg
Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Flatcar 910302
Menasha Wooden Ware Company Boxcar 242This car is a replica Menasha Wooden Ware Company boxcar 242 - Replica boxcar.jpg
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad Ore hopper car 80374
Swift Refrigerator Line Wooden refrigerator car 5156
Standard Oil Single-dome tank car 9758
North American Car Company Double door boxcar 50143
North American Car Company Covered hopper 30133
PLM Railway Forty-and-eights boxcar From Merci Train Friendship car at the National Railroad Musem.jpg
Richter Vinegar CompanyVinegar tank car 20 RVCX 20 at the National Railroad Museum.jpg
TTX Company TOFC-service flatcar 970837
Canadian National Boxcar 414266Donated to museum by Canadian National Railway [18]

Maintenance of way cars

RailroadTypeRoad number
Burlington Northern Railroad Jordan spreader 973127
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Dynamometer car 30
Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad Flange plow100
Wisconsin Central Railway, subsidiary of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad Wrecking craneW-1
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad Wrecking crane idler carX-

Cabooses

Kickapoo Valley and Western cupola caboose painted in the Milwaukee Road scheme Cupola caboose.jpg
Kickapoo Valley and Western cupola caboose painted in the Milwaukee Road scheme
Chicago Great Western Railroad cupola caboose CGW caboose at NRM.jpg
Chicago Great Western Railroad cupola caboose
RailroadTypeRoad numberNotes
Ahnapee and Western Railway Bay window caboose33
Chicago Great Western Railway Cupola caboose622
Chicago and North Western Transportation Company Bay window caboose11217
Illinois Central Railroad Wide vision caboose199488
(Ex Kickapoo Valley and Northern) Milwaukee Road Caboose2

Other equipment

RailroadTypeRoad number
Anheuser-Busch Plymouth 15 TonnerX
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad 208351
Kohler Co. TrackmobileX
Schneider National Semi-trailerA508407 (Located on TTX Company TTWX 970837)

Other collections

The museum's archives hold corporate records and documents, annual reports, maps, mechanical and engineering drawings, oral histories, and ephemera. The holdings represent various railroad companies, labor unions, and fraternal organizations.

Its library holds works on the social, economic, political, and cultural aspects of U.S. railroading history.

The National Railroad Museum holds over 5,000 artifacts, including textiles, uniforms, tools and personal items.

Its photograph collection includes 15,000 photographic prints, slides, and film negatives of U.S. railroading since 1890.

The Bauer Drumhead Collection. These drumheads were saved from scrapped locomotives and other railroading equipment. Railroad drumhead display.jpg
The Bauer Drumhead Collection. These drumheads were saved from scrapped locomotives and other railroading equipment.

In 1999, Frederick Bauer donated his collection of over three dozen drumheads to the museum. [19] Drumheads are one of the rarest railroading memorabilia. When train cars were removed from service many of these were scrapped along with the cars they were on. The gallery features touchscreen displays with narration to provide more information on the route symbolized on the drumhead.

Capital campaign

As of 2019, the museum was working to raise money to build a roundhouse to surround its current buildings (except the train station) to shelter from the weather the locomotives and cars displayed in the open pavilion. [20]

See also

References

  1. "Jacqueline Frank". Datanyze. Datanyze, LLC. 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  2. "FindUs.Rail". www.railinc.com. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  3. "New exhibit highlight railroad safety at National Railroad Museum". WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. January 29, 2021. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  4. "National Railroad Museum Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  5. "About Us". National Railroad Museum. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  6. "National Railroad Museum (Green Bay, WI): Roster & Overview". American-Rails.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  7. Terry, Jeff. "National Railroad Museum". www.rypn.org. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  8. Hageman, MacLeod (September 19, 2025). "National Railroad Museum unveils major Fox River Expansion". NBC 26 Northeast Wisconisn. Scripps News Group. Retrieved September 20, 2025.
  9. Matesic, Emily (November 2, 2023). "National Railroad Museum set for major expansion funded by $7 million federal investment". FOX 11 WLUK. Sinclair Broadcast Group. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. "Jacqueline Frank | C-SPAN.org". www.c-span.org. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  11. Hinchcliffe, Richard; Wagner, Bill (2023). Flying Scotsman in America The 1970 Tour. The Hill, Stroud Gloucestershire; United Kingdom: Amberley. p. 76. ISBN   978-1-3981-1521-7.
  12. Foster, Gerald L. (1996). A field guide to trains of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 50. ISBN   0-395-70112-0.
  13. Foster, Gerald L. (1996). A field guide to trains of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 18. ISBN   0-395-70112-0.
  14. Burns, Adam (October 18, 2023). "GM's "Aerotrain" of 1956". American-Rails.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. Foster, Gerald L. (1996). A field guide to trains of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 40. ISBN   0-395-70112-0.
  16. staff@nationalrrmuseum.org (February 29, 2024). "Welcome the CN 103 locomotive home today!". www.facebook.com. Green Bay, Wis. 54304: National Railroad Museum. Retrieved February 29, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  17. "National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon now has a new engine thanks to CN". WFRV Local 5. www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  18. "National Railroad Museum celebrates future plans". La Crosse Tribune. July 13, 2016. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  19. "Bauer Drumhead Gallery". National Railroad Museum. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  20. "Support the Green Bay Train Museum". National Railroad Museum. Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2019.