Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Council Bluffs, Iowa · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Railroad museumFreeOpen Thursday to Saturday, plus summer Sundays; free admission

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum shares American history through the lens of the railroad, filling the Beaux Arts Carnegie Library in downtown Council Bluffs with artifacts, photographs, documents and equipment from more than 150 years of Union Pacific.

  • Free general admission
  • Housed in a 1904 Carnegie Library
  • Museum opened here in 2003
  • Popular train simulator upstairs
  • Free Saturday History Express tour
  • Wheelchair accessible, with elevator

Union Pacific Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours
Thursday to Saturday 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday noon to 6 pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day
Admission
Free
Seasonal events
History Express free Saturday tour, Club Car Conversations
Plan for
About 1.5 to 2 hours
Best for
History lovers, rail fans and families with school-age kids
Best ages
Ages 5 and up
Parking
Metered street parking, $0.50 per hour weekdays 8 am to 5 pm, free on weekends; 2 accessible spots in the staff lot on the south side
Accessibility
Fully wheelchair accessible: ramp at entrance, elevator to all three levels, 2 loaner wheelchairs

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Union Pacific 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 Council Bluffs.

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.

Where the Union Pacific story starts: the Missouri River at Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs is not a random home for this collection. When President Abraham Lincoln approved the Pacific Railroad Act in 1862, the Union Pacific Rail Road was chartered to build west from the Missouri River. Its track ran westward from Council Bluffs to meet the Central Pacific in Utah, and the two lines were joined at Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, creating the first transcontinental railroad in North America. The museum honors Lincoln as Union Pacific's founding father for signing that act.

The museum itself moved into the former Council Bluffs Carnegie Free Public Library in 2003. The library building dates to 1904 and is a striking Beaux Arts design with a grand staircase, and it now holds an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, documents and equipment gathered from Union Pacific's long history in the West.

Its stated mission is to share American history through the lens of the railroad, connecting the generations of families whose lives were shaped by Union Pacific. That includes the people who laid track in the 1860s, the crews who served passengers in the dining cars of the streamliner years, and the workers who run today's freight railroad.

The Union Pacific Museum Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports the museum through donations and patrons. Staff keep the building active beyond the galleries with free Club Car Conversations, casual chats about railroads, history and popular culture, and with projects such as a replica edition of the Union Pacific Dining Car Cook Book and Service Instructions, reproduced from a mid-20th century manual in the collection.

Three floors, from the 1860s to the modern railroad

You enter on the lower level, just beneath the grand staircase, where you will find the gift shop and the building's only restrooms. An elevator and stairs lead up to the galleries. The first floor holds the Lincoln Collection and Building America, which tells the story of constructing the transcontinental railroad with an immersive design that puts you in the 1860s among frontier life, the hard labor of building the line and the towns that grew along its route.

Upstairs, America Travels by Rail covers passenger travel from the 1930s until service passed to Amtrak in 1971, and Working on the Railroad explores the modern railroad and features the train simulator that visitors love. Temporary and traveling exhibits rotate through; recent subjects include Law and Order on the Railroad, women working on the railroad, the railroad and Sun Valley, railroads and the national parks, and railroads in wartime. A free app adds self-guided audio tours in English and Spanish, a floor map and trivia.

Don’t miss

  1. Building AmericaThe first-floor gallery on the transcontinental railroad, redesigned with immersive displays about frontier life and the work of laying track west from the Missouri River.
  2. The Lincoln CollectionA tribute to President Lincoln, whose signature on the Pacific Railway Act set Union Pacific in motion.
  3. The train simulatorPart of Working on the Railroad on the second floor, and one of the museum's most popular stops.
  4. America Travels by RailA look at the destinations and comforts of passenger travel from the 1930s until Amtrak took over in 1971.
  5. The business car on the first floorThe Saturday History Express tour meets in front of it, so it is a natural starting point.
  6. The Carnegie Library buildingThe 1904 Beaux Arts library, with its grand staircase, is part of the experience in its own right.

A simulator, an app with trivia, and room to wander

The train simulator in Working on the Railroad is the big draw for kids, and the free mobile app turns the galleries into a game with trivia challenges and audio stops. Building America's immersive displays help school-age children picture what building a railroad in the 1860s actually looked like. Because admission is free, it is easy to come for an hour and leave before anyone gets tired.

Plan restroom stops on the lower level, since those are the only restrooms in the building. Strollers and wheelchairs can use the ramp at the entrance and the elevator to every floor, and the museum lends two wheelchairs at no cost.

Plan your visit: tips for Union Pacific Railroad Museum

  • Restrooms are only on the lower level, next to the gift shop.
  • Weekend parking at the meters is free, which suits the Saturday hours.
  • Download the museum app before you go for free audio tours in English or Spanish.
  • Join the free History Express tour on Saturdays at 1:30 pm, no reservation needed.
  • Clubs, schools and scout groups should book a free Group Self-Guide so bus parking can be reserved.

Who keeps the museum running

The museum is supported by the Union Pacific Museum Association, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and every donation goes to that association. You can help by giving or becoming a patron, by buying the replica dining car cook book or other gifts in the shop, and by joining the free Club Car Conversations and Saturday tours that keep the building busy.

More railroading on both sides of the river

The RailsWest Railroad Museum is about a mile away in Council Bluffs, so the two make an easy pair. Across the Missouri River, the Durham Museum in Omaha is about 4 miles off, and the Burlington Northern Depot Museum in Red Oak is about 37 miles southeast. For the full list, see train museums across Iowa.

Every train museum in Iowa

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.

The America Travels by Rail gallery is all about where people went by train in the 1930s and after, and that question of what is out the window is my favorite part of our book. Rally presses his nose to an arched window, sees the ocean and says hello to a white bird. My kids are learning to read now, and the window page is the one they ask for. You can color that scene from our coloring pages.

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 Union Pacific 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.

Union Pacific Railroad Museum: 20 questions visitors ask

Where is the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is at 200 Pearl Street in historic downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503, close to the Missouri River. It occupies the former Council Bluffs Carnegie Free Public Library, built in 1904. Enter on the lower level, just below the grand staircase, using either the short staircase or the ramp.

Is the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Omaha?

No, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum is in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha is home to Union Pacific's headquarters, so the two cities are often mentioned together. The Durham Museum in Omaha is about 4 miles from the Council Bluffs museum if you want to visit both.

Is there a Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming?

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum covered on this page is in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at 200 Pearl Street. The museum does not describe a branch in Cheyenne on its website. If you are planning a trip around Cheyenne, check that city's own tourism listings, and call the Council Bluffs museum at (712) 329-8307 with any questions about its collection.

What are the Union Pacific Railroad Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. From Memorial Day to Labor Day it also opens Sundays from noon to 6 pm. It is closed Monday through Wednesday. Check uprrmuseum.org before you go, especially around holidays.

How much does the Union Pacific Railroad Museum cost?

General admission is free and self-guided as of October 2026. Individuals, families and small groups of friends can simply walk in. Travel reviewers mention a suggested donation, and all donations support the Union Pacific Museum Association, the nonprofit behind the museum, so giving what you can is a good way to say thanks.

Do I need tickets for the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

No tickets are needed for a regular visit, since admission is free and you can walk in during open hours. Formal groups such as clubs, schools, care facilities and scout troops should book a free Group Self-Guide so the museum can reserve bus or van parking. School, bus and adult tours are arranged through the museum's tours pages.

Where do I park for the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

All public parking around the museum is metered street parking, with metered spaces right in front of the building. Meters cost $0.50 per hour from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and are free on Saturdays and Sundays. Pay with coins, online, or with the Passport Parking or Park Omaha app.

Is the Union Pacific Railroad Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the museum says the whole building is wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp beside the seven-step entrance stair, an elevator serving the lower level, first floor and second floor, and two wheelchairs available at the entrance at no cost. Two accessible parking spaces sit in the staff lot on the south side of the building.

Does the Union Pacific Railroad Museum have a gift shop?

Yes, the gift shop is on the lower level, right where you enter the building. Among its items is the museum's replica edition of the Union Pacific Dining Car Cook Book and Service Instructions, reproduced from a mid-20th century manual in the collection, with recipes from the railroad's dining cars.

Can you take photos at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

The museum has a written Photography and Videography Policy for taking pictures inside the building, posted in the About Us section of its website. Read it before you visit if you plan to shoot more than casual family photos, and contact the museum at (712) 329-8307 if you have a professional or commercial shoot in mind.

What do reviews say about the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

Visitors are generally enthusiastic. The museum says it is rated the number one attraction in Council Bluffs, and comments it shares praise the displays and how much fun it is to learn about trains. Travel reviewers mention the clear arrows that guide you through the exhibits and the building's architecture. Full reviews are on its Facebook page.

What exhibits are at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

Permanent galleries include Building America on the transcontinental railroad, the Lincoln Collection, America Travels by Rail on passenger service from the 1930s to 1971, and Working on the Railroad on the modern railroad, with its train simulator. Temporary exhibits rotate, such as Law and Order on the Railroad, on railroad police from the 1860s to today.

Is the Union Pacific Railroad Museum good for kids?

Yes, especially for school-age kids. The train simulator in Working on the Railroad is a favorite, and the free museum app adds trivia challenges and audio stops. Admission is free, so a short visit is easy. Restrooms are only on the lower level, and the elevator makes strollers manageable on every floor.

How long does it take to see the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

Plan on about an hour and a half to two hours to see all three levels at a comfortable pace. Rail fans who read every panel or join the free History Express tour on Saturdays at 1:30 pm may want longer. Families with young children can see the highlights in about an hour.

Are there free tours at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

Yes. The History Express is a free standing tour on Saturdays starting at 1:30 pm, covering an overview of more than 150 years of the railroad. No reservation is needed; meet in front of the business car on the first floor. The museum app also offers free self-guided audio tours in English and Spanish.

Where did the Union Pacific Railroad start and end?

The original Union Pacific track ran westward from Council Bluffs, Iowa, though the first rails were laid in Omaha. It met the Central Pacific, built east from Sacramento, at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869, creating the first transcontinental railroad in North America. The combined line became known as the Overland Route.

What states does the Union Pacific Railroad go through today?

Union Pacific operates in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans, over about 32,200 route miles, making it the second-largest railroad in the country after BNSF. It grew by absorbing lines such as the Missouri Pacific, Western Pacific, Chicago and North Western, and Southern Pacific. The museum's galleries trace that growth.

Where is the hub of the Union Pacific Railroad?

Union Pacific is headquartered at the Union Pacific Center in Omaha, Nebraska, just across the river from the museum. The railroad celebrated 150 years of headquarters in Omaha in 2024. Council Bluffs, where the museum sits, is where the original transcontinental line began its run west.

Can I learn about Union Pacific jobs or salaries at the museum?

The museum is a history museum, not a hiring office, so it does not post railroad job openings or pay information. Its Working on the Railroad gallery explores what the modern railroad does and the work involved, which can be a good introduction. For current jobs and pay, go to Union Pacific's own careers information.

What other train museums are near the Union Pacific Railroad Museum?

The RailsWest Railroad Museum is about a mile away in Council Bluffs, and the Durham Museum in Omaha is about 4 miles off. The Fremont and Elkhorn Valley Railroad and the Nebraska Railroad Museum in Fremont are both about 36 miles away, and the Burlington Northern Depot Museum in Red Oak is about 37 miles.

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