Visiting the National Transportation Museum St. Louis

Hey everyone, welcome back to American Travel Fun! I'm Chuck, your host, and today we're diving headfirst into a place that's like a giant toy box for anyone who loves things that move: the National Transportation Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. Trains, planes, and automobiles – they say it's the largest collection of transportation vehicles in the world, all under one roof. Well, technically, it's more like multiple roofs and a whole lot of awesome outdoor space, but you get the idea!

Keeping the Vibe & Key Info

Founded back in 1944 by passionate folks dedicated to preserving America’s rich transportation history, this place spans a whopping 42 acres and boasts over 190 exhibits. And let me tell you, they’ve done a fantastic job. It’s a true treasure trove for history buffs and transportation nuts (myself included!).

⚠️ Crucial Pro Tip – The Heat!

But first, a word to the wise, a real pro tip learned the hard way: If you’re planning a visit, check the weather! Do NOT – I repeat, DO NOT – come here when it’s scorching over 100 °F (that’s over 38 °C for my international friends) in the middle of summer with zero cloud cover. Trust me on this one. You will be miserable. I was. That was my only complaint, and honestly, it was my fault for picking the hottest day imaginable. Spring, fall, or a cooler summer day? Perfect! Just avoid the peak heat. You’ll see why when we get to the train yard!

With that vital PSA out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff!

Getting Started: The Visitor Center & A Glimpse of Past and Future

Your journey starts at the William R. and Laura Orthwein Education Visitor Center. This is your main hub for:

• Grabbing tickets

• Snagging a map (you’ll need it!)

• Hitting the gift shop

• Fueling up at the Barrett’s Landing Café for a quick bite

Right off the bat, you’re hit with some seriously cool exhibits inside (where the blessed air conditioning is!). My personal favorite? The Hyperloop pod! This sleek piece of future tech comes straight from the Smithsonian Institution’s Futurist exhibits. Imagine zipping along at speeds up to 670 mph using magnets inside a vacuum tube – that’s the dream! The Virgin Hyperloop even did its first passenger trial run back in 2020. Seeing the pod up close? It really does feel like something out of The Jetsons or Star Wars. I can’t wait until we can actually ride one!

Then, just steps away, you jump centuries back in time to the oldest American railroad passenger car in existence: the 1833 Boston and Providence Railroad Coach. Built by John Lightner in the railroad’s own shops, this thing started life as basically a stagecoach on rails, originally pulled by horses! Can you picture that? Thankfully, about three years later, steam locomotives took over. It’s a small room, but packed with history.

Virgin Hyperloop XP-2 pod

1957 Chevrolet Bel Air convertible

A Car Lover’s Dream: The Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center

Next up, step into the cool comfort of the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center. This building houses a stunning collection of around 50–60 mint-condition cars (okay, I didn’t count precisely, but it’s a very nice collection!). It’s amazing to see the evolution of road travel right before your eyes:

• 1901 St. Louis Automobile

  • Built right here in St. Louis, and one of only nine known to still exist

  • Starting price: $1,000! (What does $1,000 buy you today? Maybe a single tire?!)

• 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car

  • The only operational Chrysler Turbine car on public display. A true automotive oddity and engineering marvel.

• Bobby Darin’s DiDia 150 “Dream Car”

  • One-of-a-kind, hand-built between 1953–1960 at a cost of over $93,000

  • Features:

    • Hidden windshield wipers

    • Retracting headlights

    • Swivel turn signals

    • Push-panel operated doors (NO external handles!)

    • Trunk opened from the driver’s side

    • First car with backseat-mounted radio speakers!

    • Paint made with 30 coats, including real ground diamonds for sparkle!

Seriously, if the apocalypse comes, you know where to find me – I’m commandeering this beauty and riding out the end times in style! Don’t forget to head upstairs in the auto center for a great bird’s-eye view of these automotive jewels.

1960 DiDia 150, also known as the "Dream Car

All Aboard the Train Yard: Where History Gets HUGE

Okay, brace yourself for the heat (if you ignored my earlier advice!), but this is arguably the heart and soul of the museum. The train yard is home to over 70 locomotives and countless other rail vehicles. The sheer scale is breathtaking.

We’re talking giants like the Union Pacific #4006 “Big Boy”, one of the largest and most powerful steam locomotives ever built. Standing next to this 600-ton behemoth is humbling. Built in 1941, it’s 132 feet long! You can find more info on these giants [here].

But the best part? You don’t just look – you get to climb aboard many of these engines! Ever wanted to sit in the engineer’s seat? Stick your head out the window like you’re driving the thing? Peer into the fiery heart of a coal engine’s firebox and boiler? You can do that here! It’s an incredible, hands-on experience you won’t forget. I definitely lived out a little childhood fantasy. They are actively restoring these magnificent machines (and yes, they accept donations for this crucial work!).

Locomotives at the train yard

The Pavilion: Preserved Beauties and a Bell Quest

Moving on (hopefully finding some shade!), you’ll reach the pavilion area. Here, you’ll find beautifully preserved passenger cars, coal cars, and other rail equipment under cover. Step inside some of the luxurious vintage passenger cars and imagine the golden age of rail travel.

This is also where you’ll find the Santa Fe 5011 and its famous bell. Apparently, ringing it is a rite of passage. I heard kids doing it… but for the life of me, I couldn’t find the darn bell! I tried, folks, I really did. Felt too embarrassed to ask a kid where it was. So yeah, mission failed on the bell ringing. Maybe you’ll have better luck!

Hidden Gems & Things I Missed!

Full disclosure: because I didn’t do all my homework beforehand (and maybe because my camera overheated and died from the sun!), I missed a few things that are definitely worth seeking out:

• Aircraft: Including a historic WWII Douglas C-47 Skytrain “Gooney Bird” (believed to have been used in the D-Day invasion!) and a T-33 Shooting Star. They even have a growing collection of model aircraft with connections to McDonnell Douglas and are restoring an F/A-18 Super Hornet!

• Boats: Look for the historic Missouri River towboat, the H.T. Pott, which features the first all-steel welded hull.

• West Barretts Tunnel: Built between 1851–1853, one of the very first railroad tunnels constructed west of the Mississippi River. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Definitely keep an eye out for it.

Plan Your Visit: Practical Information

Okay, you’re convinced, right? Here’s the essential info you need as of April 23, 2025 (but always double-check their official website before you go!):

• Location: 2933 Barrett Station Road, St. Louis, MO 63122

• Official Website: transportmuseumassociation.org

• Hours: Generally open 9 AM – 4 PM. Hours vary by season and day of the week, especially for the miniature train and trolley rides. Definitely check their online calendar before visiting.

• Admission (Subject to change):

  • Adults: $15

  • Seniors (65+): $12

  • Children (Ages 2–12): $10

  • Children Under 2: Free

  • Members: Free

  • Note: Miniature train and trolley rides may have small additional fees ($3–$7 per person).

• Parking: Free on-site parking available.

• Accessibility: Partially wheelchair accessible. Check the website or call for specific details.

• Contact: (314) 965-6212

Final Thoughts & Your Turn!

Despite the heat exhaustion (my bad!), I genuinely loved the National Transportation Museum. It’s a fantastic place for families, history buffs, car nuts, train fanatics – pretty much anyone! It’s reasonably priced and offers hours of exploration.

I went solo while my wife was busy, but it’s definitely a great group or family outing. (And hey, if you’re looking for other St. Louis area adventures, check out the video I did on Lone Elk Park – another spot I explored that weekend!)

Now, I want to hear from you!

• Have you been to the National Transportation Museum? What was your favorite part?

• Did you find the Santa Fe bell?!

• Are you a train, plane, or automobile person?

• Would you like to see more museum tours like this?

Let me know in the comments below!

Final Thoughts

Despite the heat exhaustion (my bad!), I genuinely loved the National Transportation Museum. It’s a fantastic place for families, history buffs, car nuts, train fanatics – pretty much anyone! It’s reasonably priced and offers hours of exploration.

I went solo while my wife was busy, but it’s definitely a great group or family outing. (And hey, if you’re looking for other St. Louis area adventures, check out the video I did on Lone Elk Park – another spot I explored that weekend!)

Until next time, keep exploring and have fun, guys!

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