Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum in Brownwood, Texas

Oct 19

Brownwood, Texas · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Railroad museumTrain ridesOpen Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; Mini-Train rides Saturdays

Built around the collection of Santa Fe railroader Martin "Buster" Lehnis and his wife Frances, this Brownwood museum across from the historic Santa Fe Depot tells the railroad story of Central Texas and the Southwest, and it doubles as the town's visitor center.

Opened September 14, 2007
1931 Santa Fe caboose
1929 Pullman Superintendent's Car
Mini-Train rides on Saturdays
Running model trains
Children's play area

Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm (except holidays)
Admission: Ages 13+ $4, ages 60+ $3, ages 5 to 12 $2, 4 and under and active military with ID free
Train rides: Mini-Train every Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm, weather permitting; $2 per person
Seasonal events: Family Day, Model Railroad Summer Camp
Plan for: About 1 to 1.5 hours
Best for: Families with young kids and Santa Fe fans
Best ages: Toddlers to age 12

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Contact and directions

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum? 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 Brownwood.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Fifty years on the Santa Fe and a farm full of trains

Martin Lehnis, known as Buster, worked for the Santa Fe railroad for two months short of fifty years. When he retired, he simply changed scales. He and Frances lived on a farm east of Early, Texas, where they raised their son and gathered thousands of railroad artifacts, and they even built their own 7 1/2 inch gauge railroad on the property, giving rides to local kids over the years.

As they grew older, the Lehnises began planning what would happen to a collection that included a 1931 Santa Fe caboose, a 1929 Pullman Superintendent's Car and the Kress Depot. Rail fans worried it would be scattered across the country. William Osborn, an Austin attorney, rail fan and collector, helped the couple reach an agreement with the City of Brownwood to donate the collection toward a transportation museum.

Neither of them lived to see it. Frances died in November 2004 and Martin in February 2005. A TxDOT grant, matched by the City of Brownwood, paid for the building, and after months of preparing exhibits, the museum opened on September 14, 2007 during Brownwood's Reunion Celebration.

The city describes it as a museum that volunteers built. Its exhibits came together with the city's support, donations from the community and the skills of volunteers from all over the country, and its mission is to collect, preserve and teach the role Brownwood played in the railroad history of Texas and the American Southwest.

Cabooses, Pullmans, telegraphs and trains of every size

The museum sits across the street from Brownwood's historic Santa Fe Depot and Fred Harvey House, so the setting already feels like a railroad town. Inside, exhibits combine railroad memorabilia and equipment with photos and stories of early railroads, showing how much the railroad meant to this part of Texas. Travel directories also mention railroad lanterns, videos and interactive telegraph equipment that lets visitors try sending a message.

Model trains of every size run on display, from small scales up to the larger trains that recall the Lehnises' backyard railroad. The big pieces from the original donation, including the 1931 Santa Fe caboose and the 1929 Pullman Superintendent's Car, came from the couple's farm. On Saturdays the Mini-Train carries riders around the grounds, and a children's play area gives younger visitors a hands-on break.

Don’t miss

1931 Santa Fe caboosePart of the Lehnises' original donation and a direct link to Buster's half century on the Santa Fe.
1929 Pullman Superintendent's CarA railroad officer's business car, one of the largest pieces the couple saved.
The Kress DepotA small depot that was part of the Lehnis collection and helped persuade the city to build a museum.
The Mini-TrainRuns every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, weather permitting, and both kids and adults can ride for $2.
Running model trainsModel railroads of every size, carrying on Buster's retirement hobby.
Telegraph exhibitDirectories describe interactive telegraph equipment, a favorite for kids who want to tap out a message.

Mini-Train Saturdays and a place to play

Saturday is the day to bring kids. The Mini-Train runs from 10 am to 3 pm when the weather cooperates, and at $2 per rider, parents can hop on too. Inside, running model trains and the children's play area keep little ones busy, and older kids can try the telegraph.

Admission for ages 5 to 12 is $2 and children 4 and under get in free, so a family visit is easy on the budget. The city also lists a Model Railroad Summer Camp and a Family Day among the museum's programs; check its calendar for dates.

Plan your visit: tips for Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum

Come on a Saturday between 10 am and 3 pm if your kids want to ride the Mini-Train.
Active military members get in free with ID.
Walk across the street to see the historic Santa Fe Depot and Fred Harvey House.
The museum is also the Brownwood Visitor Center, so pick up local information while you are there.

The city, the volunteers and the Lehnis legacy

The City of Brownwood owns and operates the museum, which also serves as the town's visitor center, with Visitor Services Manager Tatiana Figueroa as the listed contact. Volunteers from near and far built many of the exhibits, and community donations keep the collection growing. Call (325) 643-6376 to ask about volunteering or donating artifacts.

More Central Texas railroad stops

The Railway Museum of San Angelo is about 87 miles west of Brownwood. For another Santa Fe depot museum, the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, about 105 miles east, houses its collection in Temple's 1911 Santa Fe depot. If your family wants a longer ride behind a real locomotive, the Austin Steam Train Association in Cedar Park, about 108 miles away, runs excursions. See every Texas train museum for more ideas.

Every train museum in Texas

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Buster Lehnis gave kids rides on his own little backyard railroad, and today his museum still runs a Mini-Train on Saturdays. I love picturing small riders being lifted into those seats. In our book, Rally's corgi legs are far too short for the big train steps, so Dad gives him a boost. Some of the best train memories start with a helping hand.

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)

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Work or volunteer at Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum?

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.

Lehnis Railroad Museum: 20 questions families ask

Is the Lehnis Railroad Museum the railroad heritage museum in Brownwood?

Yes. Brownwood's railroad museum is the Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum, at 700 E Adams across from the historic Santa Fe Depot. It covers the railroad heritage of Brownwood, Central Texas and the American Southwest, and it also serves as the Brownwood Visitor Center.

Is this the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

No. The Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum is a different museum in Temple, Texas, housed in a 1911 Santa Fe depot, and it has its own page on this site with its tickets and visiting details. This page covers the Lehnis Railroad Museum in Brownwood. Searches for other railroad heritage museums, such as those in Ennis or Reading, also point to separate places.

What are the Lehnis Railroad Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, except on holidays. It is closed Sunday and Monday. Call the museum at (325) 643-6376 to check holiday closures before you make the drive.

How much are tickets at the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

As of October 2026, admission is $4 for ages 13 and up, $3 for ages 60 and up, $2 for ages 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and under. Active military members with ID also get in free. The Saturday Mini-Train is an extra $2 per rider.

Where is the Lehnis Railroad Museum in Brownwood?

The museum is at 700 E Adams, Brownwood, Texas 76801, directly across the street from the historic Brownwood Santa Fe Depot and Fred Harvey House. The building also houses the Brownwood Visitor Center, which you can reach at (325) 641-0517.

Can you ride a train at the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

Yes, on Saturdays. The Mini-Train runs every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, weather permitting, and both adults and children can ride for $2 per person as of October 2026. If the weather looks doubtful, call (325) 643-6376 before you go.

Who were Martin and Frances Lehnis?

Martin "Buster" Lehnis worked for the Santa Fe railroad two months shy of fifty years, and he and his wife Frances collected thousands of railroad artifacts on their farm east of Early, Texas. They even built a 7 1/2 inch gauge railroad there and gave kids rides. They donated their collection to found the museum.

When did the Lehnis Railroad Museum open?

The museum opened to the public on September 14, 2007, during Brownwood's Reunion Celebration. A TxDOT grant, matched by the City of Brownwood, funded the building. Sadly, Frances Lehnis died in November 2004 and Martin in February 2005, before the museum was finished.

What train cars are at the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

The Lehnis collection includes a 1931 Santa Fe caboose, a 1929 Pullman Superintendent's Car and the Kress Depot, along with thousands of smaller railroad artifacts. The museum also displays railroad equipment, photos and running model trains. Ask staff which cars are open to step inside on the day you visit.

Does the Lehnis Railroad Museum have model trains?

Yes. Running model trains of every size are on display, carrying on the hobby Buster Lehnis took up after retiring from the Santa Fe. The museum also lists a Model Railroad Summer Camp among its programs, so check the city calendar if your child wants to learn more.

Is the Lehnis Railroad Museum good for toddlers?

Yes. Children 4 and under get in free, there is a children's play area with hands-on fun, and running model trains hold young attention well. On Saturdays the Mini-Train adds a short ride. The museum is small enough that a toddler can see the highlights before getting tired.

Is there a play area at the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

Yes. The museum has a children's play area designed for hands-on fun, which is a good break between looking at exhibits. Combined with the model trains and the Saturday Mini-Train, it makes the museum a strong choice for families with young children.

What is the Brownwood Santa Fe Depot and Fred Harvey House?

They are historic railroad buildings across the street from the Lehnis Railroad Museum. Their location is why the museum feels set in a real railroad district. The museum's staff and the visitor center can tell you more about seeing them during your visit.

Does the Lehnis Railroad Museum have events?

Yes. The city lists a Family Day and a Model Railroad Summer Camp among the museum's programs, and events are posted on the City of Brownwood calendar and the museum's Facebook page. Some months have no published events, so check before planning a trip around one.

How long should I plan at the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

Most families spend about an hour to an hour and a half. Add time on a Saturday for the Mini-Train and for the children's play area, and leave a few minutes to look at the historic Santa Fe Depot and Fred Harvey House across the street.

Who runs the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

The City of Brownwood owns and operates the museum, which also serves as the city's visitor center. Tatiana Figueroa, Visitor Services Manager, is the listed contact at (325) 643-6376. Volunteers from around the country helped build its exhibits, and community donations continue to add to the collection.

Can I volunteer or donate to the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

The museum credits volunteers from across the country and community donations for its exhibits, and it continues to grow through that support. Call (325) 643-6376 or message the museum's Facebook page to ask about volunteer opportunities or donating railroad artifacts.

Is the Lehnis Railroad Museum wheelchair accessible?

The city's museum page does not list accessibility details. The museum was built new around 2007 with grant funding, but you should confirm access to the exhibits, play area and railcars by calling (325) 643-6376 before your visit.

Can groups or schools visit the Lehnis Railroad Museum?

The museum does not post a group package online, but its educational mission and low admission make it a good fit for class trips. Call (325) 643-6376 to arrange a group visit and ask whether staff can run the Mini-Train or give a short talk.

What other train museums can I visit from Brownwood?

The Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, in Temple's 1911 Santa Fe depot, is another Central Texas option, and the Austin Steam Train Association in Cedar Park runs excursion trains. Check driving times from Brownwood, and see the Texas state page on this site for the full list of museums.

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Kelsey Cecil