Historic Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards, Wyoming
Historic rail siteTours by request, scheduled weekdays 9 am to 2 pm
The Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards is a Union Pacific complex built in 1912 to 1914 that the city calls the last intact roundhouse on the original Union Pacific line, and Evanston has spent decades bringing it back.
- Built 1912 to 1914
- 27-stall roundhouse
- City-owned and restored
- Tours by request
- Steam engine 4420 under restoration
Historic Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards at a glance
- Hours
- Tours scheduled Monday to Friday, 9 am to 2 pm, by request
- Admission
- Not posted; ask when requesting a tour
- Best for
- Rail fans and history lovers
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Historic Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Evanston.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
How Evanston brought back its roundhouse
Evanston grew up with the first transcontinental railroad, and the Union Pacific built a roundhouse here in 1871. During a 1912 improvement program the railroad replaced it with a larger brick roundhouse of 27 stalls, along with other brick shop buildings completed in 1912 and 1913. Frame buildings on the site span the years from 1871 into the 1920s, so the complex holds several eras of railroad work.
When railroading moved on, the buildings fell into disrepair. A 2026 newspaper story recalled broken windows, a leaking roof, pigeon feathers drifting in the air and rusted tracks fading into the dark. The City of Evanston took ownership and began restoring the complex, finishing the first of four sections as a public facility in 2009. Over the decades the effort has cost about $28 million. The city's tour page asks visitors to request a time in advance, so plan ahead.
Four sections and a steam engine in progress
The restored first section, about 18,000 square feet, now hosts events, weddings and conferences. In section two, the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission is restoring steam engine 4420. A guided tour of the roundhouse and railyards, requested through the city, is the way to see the work up close.
Don’t miss
- The 1912 roundhouseA 27-stall brick roundhouse that replaced the original 1871 building.
- Steam engine 4420Under restoration by the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission in the second section of the roundhouse.
- The restored first sectionBrought back in 2009, it shows what the rest of the building can become.
A real roundhouse for big imaginations
This is a restoration site and event venue rather than a children's museum, so it suits school-age kids who like real buildings and big machines. The chance to see a steam engine being restored is the highlight. The city does not post age or stroller guidance, so ask when you request a tour.
Plan your visit: tips for Historic Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards
- Fill out the city's online Tour Request Form before you travel.
- The city notes that weekend tour requests must be in before noon on Friday.
- Ask whether you can see the 4420 restoration on your tour.
A city and its preservation commission
The City of Evanston owns the roundhouse and has led its restoration, and the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission is restoring engine 4420. Renting the restored section for an event or booking a tour supports the work, and the city's Visit Evanston pages list ways to explore the rest of town.
Rail history over the Utah line
Evanston sits near Utah, and the closest rail stops on this site are there: Sands Shortline Railroad Park and Museum is about 52 miles away, Ogden Union Station about 53 miles, and the Heber Valley Railroad about 58 miles. Back in the Cowboy State, see train museums in Wyoming.
- S&S Shortline Railroad Park & MuseumFarmington, UT · about 52 mi
- Ogden Union Station / Utah State Railroad MuseumOgden, UT · about 53 mi
- Heber Valley RailroadHeber City, UT · about 58 mi
- Historic Denver & Rio Grande Western DepotSalt Lake City, UT · about 60 mi
- Historic Salt Lake City Union Pacific DepotSalt Lake City, UT · about 60 mi
- Golden Spike National Historical ParkPromontory Summit, UT · about 85 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A roundhouse is where engines rest and get cared for, and that makes me think about the people who look after trains and riders alike. In our book, it's Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform who reaches out a kind hand when Rally arrives with Mom and Dad. Helpers like him are worth pointing out to kids who are learning to read. Find more ideas on our train books for toddlers list.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in Wyoming: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Wyoming
- Halloween train rides in Wyoming
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Historic Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards: 20 questions answered
Can you tour the Evanston Roundhouse?
Yes. The City of Evanston offers tours of the Roundhouse and Railyards by request. Fill out the Tour Request Form on the city's website, evanstonwy.org. The city says tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday between 9 am and 2 pm.
How do I book a tour of the Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards?
Use the online Tour Request Form on the city's Roundhouse & Railyards Tours page at evanstonwy.org. Submit it well before your trip. The city's page summary also asks that weekend tour requests be scheduled before Friday at 12 pm, so plan ahead if you are visiting on a Saturday.
What days are Evanston Roundhouse tours offered?
As of October 2026, the city's tour page says tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm. A separate note mentions scheduling weekend tours before Friday at noon, so weekend visits may be possible on request. Confirm through the tour form.
When was the Evanston Roundhouse built?
Union Pacific built the Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards complex in 1912 to 1914. The 27-stall roundhouse replaced an earlier one built in 1871, and the site's frame buildings date from 1871 into the 1920s, so the complex reflects several decades of railroad work.
How many stalls does the Evanston Roundhouse have?
The roundhouse has 27 stalls. It was built during Union Pacific's 1912 improvement program to replace the original 1871 roundhouse, along with brick shop buildings finished in 1912 and 1913. Restoration has moved section by section, so ask on your tour which stalls you will be able to walk through.
Why is the Evanston Roundhouse important?
The city describes it as the last intact roundhouse on the original Union Pacific Railroad line. Evanston itself came to be during the building of the first transcontinental railroad, and the roundhouse is one of the most important building complexes in town.
Who owns the Evanston Roundhouse?
The City of Evanston owns the Roundhouse & Railyards. The city restored the first of four sections as a public facility in 2009 and has continued the work since. Tours and rentals are arranged through the city.
How much has Evanston spent restoring the roundhouse?
A 2026 report by Cowboy State Daily said Evanston has spent decades and about $28 million restoring its historic railroad roundhouse. The work began with a building in poor shape, with broken windows, a leaking roof and rusted tracks.
What is steam engine 4420 in Evanston?
Engine 4420 is a steam locomotive being restored by the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission in the second section of the roundhouse. Ask about the project when you request a tour, since it is one of the most interesting things happening on the site.
Can you rent the Evanston Roundhouse for a wedding?
Yes. The restored first section of the roundhouse, about 18,000 square feet, is available for events, weddings and conferences. Contact the City of Evanston through evanstonwy.org for availability, capacity and rental terms. Renting the space also helps the city keep the historic building in use.
Is the Evanston Roundhouse good for kids?
It suits school-age kids who enjoy real railroad buildings and seeing a steam engine under restoration. It is a historic site and event space rather than a hands-on children's museum. The city does not post age guidance, so ask when you book.
How much does an Evanston Roundhouse tour cost?
The city does not post a tour price online. Ask when you submit the Tour Request Form on evanstonwy.org, and the city will follow up with details about your tour date and any costs. Include the size of your group so staff can plan the visit.
Where is the Evanston Roundhouse & Railyards?
The complex is in Evanston, in the southwest corner of Wyoming near the Utah line. The city does not list the roundhouse's street address on its tour page, so confirm the meeting point when the city replies to your tour request.
Can I just drop by the Evanston Roundhouse?
The city asks visitors to schedule tours in advance through its Tour Request Form rather than drop in. Parts of the building are used for private events, so a scheduled tour is the reliable way to see inside.
Are there train rides at the Evanston Roundhouse?
No train rides are listed. The roundhouse is a restored historic building and event space, with a steam engine under restoration. For a train ride, look to heritage railroads in the region such as the Heber Valley Railroad in Utah.
What is in the four sections of the Evanston Roundhouse?
The first section was refurbished in 2009 and serves as an 18,000-square-foot event facility. The second section is where engine 4420 is being restored. The city continues to work through the remaining sections as part of its long-term restoration.
Is the Evanston Roundhouse accessible?
Accessibility details are not posted on the city's tour page. The restored first section is a public facility, but other areas are still under restoration. Mention any mobility needs on your Tour Request Form so the city can plan your route.
What else is there to do in Evanston, Wyoming?
The city highlights its historic downtown, the Bear River and Bear River State Park with its own bison herd, plus nearby Uinta Mountains trails. History buffs can also follow the old Mormon Trail. Winter brings snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice skating.
Who is restoring the Evanston Roundhouse?
The City of Evanston leads the restoration of the building, and the Evanston Historic Preservation Commission is restoring engine 4420. A 2026 Cowboy State Daily article told the story through Jim Davis, who remembered walking into the crumbling roundhouse decades ago, long before the restoration took shape.
What train museums are near Evanston, Wyoming?
The nearest are in Utah: Sands Shortline Railroad Park and Museum about 52 miles away, Ogden Union Station about 53 miles, the Heber Valley Railroad about 58 miles, and Golden Spike National Historical Park about 85 miles away.
Keep exploring
More family train guides from Rally
- DirectoryRailway Museum Directory650 train museums in all 50 states, with hours, tickets and train rides.
- HolidayChristmas Train RidesSanta trains and holiday light rides, sorted by state and town.
- OctoberHalloween Train RidesPumpkin trains and not-too-spooky rides for little ones, by state.
- NovemberThanksgiving Train RidesHoliday weekend train trips the whole family can share.
- AmtrakAmtrak With KidsWhich Amtrak routes work best with babies, toddlers and big kids.
- Plan a tripTrain Trips With KidsEvery Amtrak route, stop by stop, planned for families.