Tours and Education

Dallas owes its growth and prosperity to the coming of the railroads. See and explore the trains that helped build our city and the nation. Museum of the American Railroad is preserved in an interpretive display which includes Dallas' oldest depot, once the center of activity in the young little town. The Museum has been preserved in a hands-on interpretive history museum for students of all ages. Over 30 historic pieces of equipment are on display, along with Dallas' oldest surviving depot.

Students will get a first-hand look at luxurious Pullman sleeping cars, plush lounge cars, streamlined passenger trains and mighty steam locomotives. Several rare and unique examples of early diesel-electric locomotives are also represented in this walk through exhibit. Instead of finding a collection of artifacts behind glass, you will actually become part of the setting as you climb aboard full size historic trains .

Guided Tours & Educational Programs

Museum of the American Railroad Guided Tours (Grades Pre-K - 12)

Bells, Whistles & Steam Engines (Grades PreK - 4)

Westward Expansion & the Transcontinental Railroad (Grades 4 - 12)

The Golden Age of Rail Travel: Society in the Roaring Twenties(Grades 7 - 12)

My History, My Heritage In-School Program (Grades 2 - 6)

Next Stop, Union Station (Grades 3 - 12) This program takes place at Dallas Union Station in Downtown, Dallas

Guided tours available Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Hours are subject to change during inclement weather.

Program lasts 30 - 45 minutes. $2.50 per student and $5.00 per adult.

One supervisory adult per 15 students FREE.

Group minimum: 15, maximum: 150.

All schools, daycares, and other educational institutions are required to schedule tours at least two weeks in advance by contacting the Museum of the American Railroad at (214) 428-0101 or Artreach Booking Service at (214) 219-2049 during the school year. During summer months, please call the Museum at (214) 428-0101 to book tours directly with the Museum. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please cancel at least 48 hours in advance.

TEACHER'S FIELD TRIP & EDUCATION GUIDE

Directions

The museum is located at 1105 Washington Street in Fair Park.
From I-30 Westbound: Take First Ave. exit around to Exposition Ave., then left on Parry Ave. to Washington street entrance.

From I-30 Eastbound: Take Second Ave. exit to Parry Ave., turn left on Parry to Washington Street entrance. Watch for signs that say "Railroad Museum."

Additional Information

Please be on time in order to get tours underway. As the museum is located in Fair Park, take advantage of the vast grassy areas to have a picnic lunch and explore the rest of the Park.

The Museum is mostly an outdoor museum. Please ensure that students dress appropriately for the weather. No open-toed shoes. Some climbing of stairways is involved, thus limiting accessibility. A water fountain is available in summer months inside the depot. Restroom facilities are not available.

Museum Rules

The locomotives, cars, and other artifacts in the museum are rare and valuable. Climbing, touching, and handling of equipment is not permitted, except where access is provided.

No food or beverages are allowed aboard the train.

Please do not handle window shades in the cars. Please do not sit or stand on seats.

Planning Your Trip to the Museum

To make your field trip both educational and enjoyable, we recommend that you prepare your students before their visit to the museum and review your students afterward.

Pre-Trip Information: Get your class interested in the Museum by introducing activities that include transportation history, i.e. videos, drawings, books, etc. The more prepared they are, the more they will enjoy and learn from their trip.

Museum of the American Railroad Educational Resources

A Brief History of Railroads in Dallas

Actual Visit: Upon arrival to the museum, you will be greeted by a tour guide who will give a brief orientation to the students. The tour guide will lead your group through the exhibit. It is important that teachers keep groups together and orderly. Please encourage students to ask questions.

Review Visit: In order for your students to take full advantage of the museum experience, encourage discussion of the exhibits after your visit.