Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, Texas

Oct 19

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

Depot museumOpen Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm

The Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum tells the story of the Santa Fe Railway in Temple from inside the city's historic Santa Fe depot, where Amtrak trains still stop, so visitors can learn railroad history and watch it in action at the same time.

Historic Santa Fe depot
Shares the station with Amtrak
Santa Fe steam Pacific No. 3423
Family Day every second Saturday
Kids 4 and under free
Open Tuesday to Saturday

Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum at a glance

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; federal holidays may change hours
Admission: Ages 0 to 4 free, 5 to 12 $2, 13 to 59 $4, 60+ $3, active duty military free with ID
Seasonal events: Family Day (second Saturday monthly)
Plan for: About 1 to 1.5 hours
Best for: Families with young kids and Amtrak riders with time to spare
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

Museum website(opens in a new tab)Directions(opens in a new tab)Call Email

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Temple 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 Temple.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

A Santa Fe depot that never stopped being a station

Temple's railroad museum lives in the city's historic Santa Fe depot at 315 West Avenue B. The building dates to the early 20th century (sources give both 1907 and 1911), and in 1995 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway donated it for museum use. What makes it special is that the depot never stopped being a working station: the museum shares it with Amtrak, so you can learn the history of the railroad in Temple and experience it first hand.

The museum's permanent exhibits explore what it was like to work and travel on the railroad, with a focus on the Santa Fe Railway, while changing exhibits, education programs and special events keep regular visitors coming back. It also offers school tours and rents its space for events.

Outside, the museum has gathered a collection that spans the steam and diesel eras. The star is Santa Fe No. 3423, a Baldwin 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive, joined by Santa Fe ALCO HH600 No. 2301 and BNSF GP9u No. 1680. The cars include a Budd sleeper, a Pullman heavyweight sleeper and a Pullman troop sleeper, plus cabooses from three railroads.

The museum is run through the City of Temple's parks department, and the city invites anyone interested to volunteer here through its VOMO online volunteer platform. Its Facebook page counts more than 11,000 followers, a sign of how much the depot means to Central Texas.

Inside the depot and out on the tracks

Start inside the depot, where permanent exhibits trace working and traveling on the railroad with an emphasis on the Santa Fe, and temporary exhibits rotate through the year. Because Amtrak uses the same station, you may see passengers waiting for a train or a train pulling in during your visit, which brings the exhibits to life.

Outdoors, look for Santa Fe Pacific No. 3423, the museum's steam locomotive, alongside two diesels. The rolling stock includes the Santa Fe sleeper Pine Mesa, the Katy's heavyweight sleeper Clover Glade, a U.S. Army Pullman troop sleeper, a Missouri Pacific boxcar, and cabooses from the Santa Fe, Missouri Pacific and Missouri-Kansas-Texas.

Don’t miss

Santa Fe No. 3423A Baldwin 4-6-2 Pacific steam locomotive and the museum's signature engine.
The Santa Fe depotA historic station still shared with Amtrak, so the museum is also a working railroad stop.
Sleeper Pine MesaA Santa Fe sleeping car built by Budd in the 10-6 layout, part of the museum's passenger car collection.
Pullman sleeper Clover GladeA heavyweight sleeper from the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.
U.S. Army troop sleeper No. 9826A Pullman troop sleeper built to carry soldiers by rail.
The caboose lineupCabooses from the Santa Fe, Missouri Pacific and Katy, including two wide vision cabooses.

Family Day and real trains passing by

The museum hosts Family Day on the second Saturday of every month, the best time to bring children. Admission is low ($2 for ages 5 to 12, free for 4 and under), so a short visit with toddlers is easy to justify.

Kids get a double treat here: the steam locomotive and cabooses outside, and the chance to see a real Amtrak train at the station. Ask at the front desk about upcoming train times if you want to catch one.

Plan your visit: tips for Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum

Use the depot address, 315 W Ave B, not the parks office address.
Visit on the second Saturday of the month for Family Day.
Active duty military get in free with ID, and families did too in summer 2026.
Check hours around federal holidays before you go.

Run by the City of Temple, helped by volunteers

The museum is operated through the City of Temple's parks department and welcomes volunteers, who sign up through the city's VOMO platform. Visitors can support it by paying admission, joining Family Day and special events, booking school tours, or renting the depot for an event. Call (254) 298-5172 to learn more.

Central Texas rail trips from Temple

The Hearne Depot Museum is about 47 miles away. Drive about 50 miles to ride with the Austin Steam Train Association, or go about 114 miles to the Texas State Railroad. Our list of Texas train museums has more ideas, and our guide to Amtrak routes with kids can help plan a trip by rail.

Every train museum in Texas

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi looking out an arched train window at the ocean and a white bird — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Our book is about a real Amtrak ride, so I love that Temple's museum shares its depot with Amtrak. A family could learn the history inside, then board a train and watch the world roll past the window. In our story, Rally peers out an arched window at the ocean and greets a white bird. Central Texas has no ocean, but kids will find their own wonders out there. You can read where Rally's story began on our story page.

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 Texas: every museum by town, with a map
Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
Christmas train rides in Texas
Halloween train rides in Texas
Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Temple 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.

Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum: 20 questions visitors ask

Where is the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

The museum is in the historic Santa Fe Depot at 315 W Ave B, Temple, Texas 76501, which it shares with Amtrak. Some listings show the parks office at 1701 N. General Bruce Dr., so use the Avenue B address for directions. Call (254) 298-5172 with questions.

What are the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. It is closed Sundays and Mondays, and federal holidays may affect the hours. Call (254) 298-5172 before a holiday visit to confirm the museum will be open.

How much are Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, admission is free for ages 0 to 4, $2 for ages 5 to 12, $4 for ages 13 to 59 and $3 for ages 60 and up. Active duty military are admitted free with ID. Tickets are purchased at the museum.

Is the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum free for military?

Yes. Active duty military personnel are admitted free with ID. During summer 2026, from May 16 through September 7, the museum also offered free admission to active duty military families, including National Guard and Reserve. Ask at the desk whether a similar offer is running when you visit.

Is the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum an Amtrak station?

Yes. The museum is co-located with Amtrak in Temple's historic Santa Fe Depot, so you can learn the history of the railroad in Temple and experience it first hand. Check Amtrak's schedule if you would like to see or catch a train during your visit.

When was the Temple Santa Fe depot built?

Sources differ: Wikipedia lists the museum's depot as the 1911 Santa Fe depot, while another local guide calls it a 1907 depot. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway donated the building for the museum in 1995. Ask museum staff for the full story of the building.

What trains are at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

The collection includes Santa Fe Baldwin 4-6-2 Pacific No. 3423, Santa Fe ALCO HH600 No. 2301 and BNSF GP9u No. 1680. Rolling stock includes the Budd sleeper Pine Mesa, the Pullman sleeper Clover Glade, a U.S. Army troop sleeper, a boxcar and several cabooses.

What exhibits does the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum have?

Permanent exhibits explore working and traveling on the railroad, with an emphasis on the Santa Fe Railway. The museum also hosts changing temporary exhibits, education programs and special events. Outdoor equipment adds a steam locomotive, diesels, sleepers and cabooses.

What is Family Day at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

Family Day takes place on the second Saturday of every month at the museum. It is the best day to bring children. Check the museum's Facebook page or call (254) 298-5172 for the activities planned each month.

Is the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum good for kids?

Yes. Children 4 and under are free, kids 5 to 12 pay just $2, and there is a steam locomotive and cabooses to see, plus the chance to spot a real Amtrak train. Monthly Family Day on the second Saturday is planned with children in mind.

Can you have a wedding at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

The museum offers event rentals in its historic depot, which makes it an option for weddings, receptions and parties. Details on rates and availability are not posted on its main page, so call (254) 298-5172 or email templeparks@templetx.gov to ask about booking.

Does the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum offer school tours?

Yes. School tours and education programs are part of what the museum offers. Teachers should call (254) 298-5172 or email templeparks@templetx.gov to schedule a visit and ask about programs that fit their grade level. Booking early gives the museum time to plan around Amtrak activity at the depot and any special events.

How long should I spend at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

Plan on about an hour to an hour and a half to see the exhibits inside the depot and the locomotives and cars outside. Allow more time on Family Day, when there is more going on, or if you want to wait at the depot for an Amtrak train to come through.

Who runs the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

The museum is operated through the City of Temple's parks department, and its web page sits on the city's parks site, with contact by phone at (254) 298-5172. Volunteers help too; the city recruits them through its VOMO online volunteer platform.

How can I volunteer at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

Sign up through VOMO, the City of Temple's online volunteer platform, where you can see museum volunteer openings and other city opportunities. Visit volunteertemple.vomo.org and look for the City of Temple organization, or call (254) 298-5172 to ask what kind of help the museum needs most.

What do Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum reviews say?

The museum has a large local following, with more than 11,000 Facebook followers and over 8,000 check-ins. Reviews and comments on its Facebook page are the best place to read current impressions from visitors before you go.

Where can I see Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum photos?

The museum's Facebook page, under Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, shares photos of the depot, exhibits, events and equipment. It is the best place to preview the steam locomotive, the sleepers and the cabooses before your visit.

What steam locomotive is at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum?

The museum's steam locomotive is Santa Fe No. 3423, a 4-6-2 Pacific built by Baldwin. It is displayed with the outdoor collection near the depot and is one of the main things train fans come to see.

Is the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility details are not listed on the museum's web page. Because the depot is also an active Amtrak station, ask ahead about access to the exhibits and the outdoor equipment. Call (254) 298-5172 before your visit.

What train museums are near Temple, Texas?

The Hearne Depot Museum is about 47 miles away and the Austin Steam Train Association in Cedar Park about 50 miles. The Texas State Railroad is about 114 miles, and the Fort Worth Stockyards Trinity River Train about 115 miles.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil