San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum in Elmendorf, Texas

Written By Kelsey Cecil

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

Railroad museumOpen Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm

The San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum is a volunteer-led nonprofit preserving the railroading history of San Antonio and South Texas, with its railroadiana collection inside the Elmendorf Public Library and a roster of steam and diesel locomotives, cabooses and work equipment.

  • Open Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm
  • Concept began in 2001
  • Collection inside Elmendorf Public Library
  • 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit
  • Steam, diesel and cabooses on roster

San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum at a glance

Hours
Saturdays 9 am to 5 pm
Admission
Not posted online; check the museum's website or Facebook page
Plan for
About 1 hour
Best for
Rail fans and families exploring the San Antonio area

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to San Antonio Railroad Heritage 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 Elmendorf.

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.

A South Texas dream, 25 years in the making

The idea for the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum, known as SARHM, was laid out in 2001, and the group has been refining it ever since. Its members started small, with a modest membership and a big goal: to build a first-rate railroad museum for South Texas. In 2026 the museum marks 25 years since that beginning and says it is on the verge of its next major step, with significant plans in the works.

SARHM's mission is to build interest in the railroad history and heritage of San Antonio and South Texas, covering how railroads operated and how their equipment is restored and preserved. The Internal Revenue Service recognizes it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, and its Facebook page notes that the nonprofit corporation was established on October 26, 2005.

The museum settled in Elmendorf, a small town southeast of San Antonio, where its railroadiana collection now shares space with the Elmendorf Public Library. Over the years volunteers have assembled an equipment roster that spans steam and diesel locomotives, cabooses, a baggage car, maintenance-of-way equipment and hi-rail trucks from railroads that served the region, including the Southern Pacific, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas and the Missouri Pacific. A team of volunteer officers and board members, led by Chairman Mike Salas and President and CEO Gary Rodriguez, keeps the work moving, and the museum credits its sponsors' donations with helping it carry out its mission.

Railroadiana in the library and equipment out back

Visitors find the museum at 203 Bexar Avenue in Elmendorf on Saturdays. Inside, SARHM's railroadiana collection is displayed within the Elmendorf Public Library, an unusual pairing that puts railroad artifacts alongside the town's books. The museum notes that the Alamo sits behind the library; on its equipment roster, that name belongs to Southern Pacific Lines No. 127.

The full roster is worth browsing before you go. It lists Southern Pacific Lines No. 127 "Alamo," St. Louis Southwestern No. 1 "Dixie," Missouri-Kansas-Texas No. 402 "Mallard," Southern Pacific Lines steam locomotive No. 794, San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway steam locomotive No. 60, Missouri Pacific S2 switcher No. 1058, an Alco S4M diesel switcher, Grand Trunk Western 15046 "Lake Wabascon," Southern Pacific baggage car 6788, two Missouri Pacific cabooses and Katy and Union Pacific hi-rail trucks. Not every piece may be on view in Elmendorf, so ask volunteers what you can see that day.

Don’t miss

  1. Southern Pacific Lines No. 127 "Alamo"The named car on SARHM's roster, which the museum places behind the Elmendorf library.
  2. Missouri Pacific "Lucky Bucky" caboose No. 13777One of two Missouri Pacific cabooses on the roster, along with the "East One."
  3. San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway No. 60A steam locomotive from a railroad that served the San Antonio region, a direct link to local rail history.
  4. Southern Pacific Lines No. 794A steam locomotive representing the Southern Pacific, one of the major railroads of South Texas.
  5. The railroadiana collectionArtifacts and memorabilia housed within the Elmendorf Public Library, open to visitors on Saturdays.

Library time with a railroad twist

Because the collection sits inside the Elmendorf Public Library, families can combine railroad artifacts with picking out a few books, an easy rhythm for younger children. Kids who like names will enjoy the nicknamed equipment on the roster, from the "Lucky Bucky" caboose to the "Mallard" and "Dixie."

The museum does not describe rides or climb-aboard access in its posted information, so ask volunteers what is open on the day of your visit, and plan around the Saturday-only hours.

Plan your visit: tips for San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum

  • The museum is open Saturdays only, from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Look for the museum at the Elmendorf Public Library, 203 Bexar Avenue.
  • Browse the equipment roster on sarhm.org before you go, then ask which pieces are on display.
  • Mail goes to PO Box 794, Elmendorf, TX 78112, not the street address.

Members, volunteers and sponsors

SARHM is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit run by volunteer officers and a board of directors, with a membership program that it invites the public to join as it grows. Sponsors' donations help the museum fulfill its mission, and every donation is welcomed. Joining as a member, donating or following SARHM on Facebook, Instagram and X are all ways to help.

More rail history around San Antonio

The Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio is about 21 miles away. Families willing to drive farther can reach the Austin Steam Train Association in Cedar Park, about 92 miles off, or the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, about 141 miles. Browse every train museum in Texas for more.

Every train museum in Texas

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A railroad museum tucked inside a public library feels like it was made for families like mine. My kids are learning to read, and a Saturday of books and trains sounds perfect to them. In our book, Rally packs his suitcase with his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. My kids would probably add a library book or two. Our list of train books for toddlers has some favorites.

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

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

Work or volunteer at San Antonio Railroad Heritage 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.

San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum: 20 questions

Where is the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

The San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum is at 203 Bexar Avenue in Elmendorf, Texas 78112, southeast of San Antonio. Its railroadiana collection is located within the Elmendorf Public Library. The museum's mailing address is PO Box 794, Elmendorf, TX 78112.

What are the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. It does not post weekday hours, so plan a Saturday visit. Check the museum's website or Facebook page before you go in case of holiday or event changes.

How much does the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum cost?

The museum does not post admission prices online, so plan on confirming before you go. As a nonprofit educational organization, it welcomes donations from visitors. Check sarhm.org or message the museum on Facebook before your visit to confirm any admission fee.

Is the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum in San Antonio?

Not exactly. Despite its name, the museum is in Elmendorf, a small town southeast of San Antonio, at 203 Bexar Avenue. Its focus is the railroad history of San Antonio and all of South Texas, which is why it carries the city's name.

What is SARHM?

SARHM stands for the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum, Inc. Its mission is to develop interest in the history and heritage of railroad-related activities of San Antonio and South Texas, including railroad operations, restoration and preservation. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization.

When was the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum founded?

The museum says its concept was laid out in 2001, and it is celebrating 25 years in 2026. Its Facebook page lists the nonprofit as established on October 26, 2005, which likely reflects its formal incorporation. Either way, the group has been building its collection for more than two decades.

What locomotives does the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum have?

SARHM's roster includes Southern Pacific Lines steam locomotive No. 794, San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway steam locomotive No. 60, Missouri Pacific S2 switcher No. 1058 and an Alco S4M diesel switcher, plus named equipment such as No. 127 "Alamo," No. 1 "Dixie" and No. 402 "Mallard."

What is the Alamo at the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

On SARHM's equipment roster, "Alamo" is the name of Southern Pacific Lines No. 127. The museum notes that the Alamo is sited behind the Elmendorf Public Library, where the museum's railroadiana collection is housed, so ask volunteers about seeing it during Saturday hours.

Does the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum have cabooses?

Yes. The roster lists two Missouri Pacific cabooses: the "East One" and No. 13777, nicknamed "Lucky Bucky." Not every piece of equipment may be on display in Elmendorf at all times, so ask volunteers what you can see on the day you visit.

What is railroadiana at the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

Railroadiana means railroad memorabilia and artifacts, and SARHM's collection of it is co-located within the Elmendorf Public Library. It is the part of the museum most visitors see first, open on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm.

Is the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum good for kids?

It works well as a short Saturday stop, especially because the collection sits inside a public library where kids can also pick out books. Children often enjoy the nicknamed equipment like the "Lucky Bucky" caboose. The museum does not describe rides, so ask volunteers what kids can see up close.

Can you ride a train at the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

No train rides are described in the museum's posted information. Its focus is preserving and displaying railroad artifacts and equipment. For a ride, the Austin Steam Train Association in Cedar Park is about 92 miles away, and the Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio is about 21 miles.

Who runs the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

SARHM is run by volunteer officers and a board of directors. Its officers include Chairman Mike Salas, President and CEO Gary Rodriguez, Senior Vice President Mike Bongalis, Chief Operations Officer Stephan Rothstein, Chief Administrative Officer Melissa Stout and Chief Financial Officer Robert Casares.

How can I join the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

SARHM invites the public to join as members and help preserve the railroading history of South Texas, and its board includes a membership director. Visit sarhm.org for membership details, or ask volunteers about joining during Saturday hours in Elmendorf.

Can I donate to the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

Yes. SARHM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the museum says every donation is sincerely appreciated and that sponsors' gifts help it fulfill its mission. Donation and sponsorship details are on sarhm.org, and mail can go to PO Box 794, Elmendorf, TX 78112.

What are the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum's future plans?

In its 25th year, SARHM says it is on the verge of the next big step in its growth and has some major things in the works that will shape the organization's future. Details are not posted yet, so follow the museum on Facebook for announcements.

Is the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum on social media?

Yes. SARHM posts on Facebook as SARHMinc, where it has more than 3,000 followers, on Instagram as sarhm_satx and on X as SARHMinc. Social media is the best place to check for news, event updates and photos of the equipment.

Which railroads are represented at the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

The roster includes equipment from the Southern Pacific, St. Louis Southwestern, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific, Grand Trunk Western and the San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railway, reflecting the railroads that served San Antonio and South Texas over the years.

Is the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum wheelchair accessible?

The museum does not post accessibility details online. Because the collection is inside the Elmendorf Public Library, the indoor exhibits may be easier to reach than outdoor equipment, but contact the museum through its website or Facebook page to confirm before you visit.

What train museums are near the San Antonio Railroad Heritage Museum?

The Texas Transportation Museum in San Antonio is about 21 miles away. Farther afield, the Austin Steam Train Association in Cedar Park is about 92 miles away and the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum about 141 miles, both good additions to a Central Texas rail trip.

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