Wabash Valley Railroad Museum in Terre Haute, Indiana
Railroad museumOpen on Saturdays or weekends in the warm months; confirm before you go
Started as an extension of the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society, the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum is a tribute to the men and women of the railroad, past, present and future, set right beside the CSX main line in Terre Haute.
- Two interlocking towers
- Pullman WWII troop sleeper
- GE 45-ton switcher locomotive
- Train viewing platform by CSX main line
- Run by Haley Tower society
Wabash Valley Railroad Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Seasonal weekend hours (listed as Saturdays May to October, or weekends June to October, 12 pm to 4 pm Eastern); call to confirm
- Admission
- Not posted online; call (812) 238-9958
- Plan for
- About an hour, longer if you are train watching
- Best for
- Rail fans and kids who love watching freight trains
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address1316 Plum Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(812) 238-9958
- Websitewvrrm.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Wabash Valley Railroad Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Wabash Valley 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 Terre Haute.
Rally Takes the Train
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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.
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A tower society's tribute to railroad workers
The Wabash Valley Railroad Museum, sometimes listed as the Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum, grew out of the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society, which still owns and operates it. The society set out to honor the people who worked on the railroads, and it describes the museum as an ongoing tribute to railroaders past, present and future.
The collection centers on the kind of equipment that kept trains moving safely: two interlocking towers, where operators once lined switches and signals, along with two cabooses, a Pullman sleeper built to carry troops in World War II and a General Electric 45-ton switcher locomotive. The museum sits on Plum Street beside the busy CSX main line, so modern freight trains still roll past the historic pieces.
Towers, cabooses and live trains
Expect a small outdoor site where the towers and rolling stock are the main exhibits, plus a viewing platform for watching CSX trains go by. The museum does not post a detailed exhibit guide online, so call (812) 238-9958 to ask which pieces are open to step inside on your visit.
Don’t miss
- The interlocking towersTwo towers that once controlled switches and signals, the heart of a museum founded by a tower society.
- The Pullman WWII troop sleeperA sleeping car from the years when railroads moved soldiers across the country.
- The train viewing platformA spot right next to the CSX main line where kids can watch working freight trains pass.
Watching real freight trains go by
The viewing platform next to the CSX main line is the draw for young train fans, since real freight trains pass close by. The cabooses and the small GE switcher give kids something to look at between trains. Hands-on activities are not listed online, and the site is mostly outdoors, so plan for the weather and keep little ones close near the tracks.
Plan your visit: tips for Wabash Valley Railroad Museum
- Hours differ between listings, so call (812) 238-9958 before you go.
- Times are Eastern.
- Check the museum's Facebook page for current open days and membership news.
The Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society
The museum is owned and operated by the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society. Visitors can support it by becoming a member and subscribing to the newsletter, which the museum promotes on its Facebook page, or by asking about volunteering when they visit.
Pair it with these rail stops
In Terre Haute itself, the Terre Haute Children's Museum railway exhibits make an easy indoor add-on for younger kids. The Linden Depot Museum is about 57 miles northeast, and the Monticello Railway Museum in Illinois is about 73 miles away. See more on our guide to Indiana train museums.
- Terre Haute Children's Museum railway exhibitsTerre Haute, IN · same town
- Linden Depot MuseumLinden, IN · about 57 mi
- Monticello Railway MuseumMonticello, IL · about 73 mi
- Indiana Railway MuseumFrench Lick, IN · about 76 mi
- Indiana Transportation Museumformer Noblesville museum, IN · about 85 mi
- Nickel Plate ExpressNoblesville, IN · about 85 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A platform right beside a working main line sounds like the best seat in Terre Haute. When Rally rides in our book, he watches through an arched window and greets a white bird by the ocean. I think kids on that platform feel the same wonder, just from the other side of the glass, watching the freight cars go by. My children, still learning to read, could spend an hour counting cars. For more train stories, see our train books for toddlers.
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 Indiana: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Indiana
- Halloween train rides in Indiana
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Wabash Valley 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
- Wabash Valley Railroad Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Wabash Valley Railroad Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Wabash Valley Railroad Museum: 20 visitor questions
Where is the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The Wabash Valley Railroad Museum is at 1316 Plum Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47804, right next to the CSX main line. The phone number is (812) 238-9958. If you are searching for the Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum, it is the same place, operated by the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society.
What are the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum hours?
The museum opens seasonally on weekends, but listings differ: its website has listed Saturdays from May through October, while the local visitor guide lists weekends from June through October, 12 pm to 4 pm Eastern. Call (812) 238-9958 or check the Facebook page before you drive over to confirm the current schedule.
How much are Wabash Valley Railroad Museum tickets?
The museum does not post ticket prices online. As a small society-run museum, it may ask for a modest admission or a donation. Call (812) 238-9958 or message the museum's Facebook page to ask about current admission and whether there is any charge for children.
Where can I see Wabash Valley Railroad Museum photos?
The museum's Facebook page, facebook.com/wabashvalleyrailroadmuseum, is the best place for photos of the towers, cabooses and troop sleeper, along with news about open days. Visitors also tag the museum there, and the page has well over a thousand followers who share pictures of trains passing on the CSX line.
What do reviews say about the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The museum is small, and reviews tend to focus on its towers, cabooses and the chance to watch CSX trains up close. For current visitor comments, look at the museum's Facebook page, where people share check-ins and photos. Remember it is volunteer and society run, so open days are limited.
Who runs the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The museum is owned and operated by the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society. It was founded as an extension of that society and is meant as a tribute to the men and women of the railroad industry, past, present and future. Membership and newsletter sign-up are promoted on its Facebook page.
What can you see at the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The collection includes two interlocking towers, two cabooses, a Pullman sleeper car used for troops in World War II and a General Electric 45-ton switcher locomotive. There is also a train viewing platform beside the busy CSX main line, where visitors can watch freight trains go by.
What is an interlocking tower?
An interlocking tower was a building where railroad operators controlled the switches and signals at a junction, keeping trains from crossing paths unsafely. The Wabash Valley Railroad Museum preserves two of them, fitting for a museum started by a tower historical society. Ask volunteers to explain how the levers worked.
Is there a place to watch trains at the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
Yes. The museum has a train viewing platform right next to the CSX main line, which carries busy freight traffic through Terre Haute. It is a favorite for rail fans and kids. Keep children close and stay on the platform, since the main line is an active railroad.
Is the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum good for kids?
Kids who like big machines usually enjoy watching CSX freight trains pass from the viewing platform and seeing the cabooses and switcher. The site is small and mostly outdoors, so it works as a short outing. Hands-on activities are not listed online, so call ahead if that matters for your family.
Can you ride a train at the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
No train rides are listed. The museum displays its towers and rolling stock and offers a platform for watching trains. For a ride, the French Lick Scenic Railway run by the Indiana Railway Museum, about 76 miles away, is one option to consider.
Is the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum open in winter?
The museum's posted season runs through October, and winter hours are not listed. If you are hoping to visit outside the warm-weather season, call (812) 238-9958 or message the Facebook page to ask whether any off-season visits or special openings are possible.
How long should I plan at the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
About an hour is enough to see the towers, cabooses, troop sleeper and switcher. Rail fans who want to watch trains from the platform may stay longer, since freight traffic on the CSX main line comes and goes through the afternoon.
What is the WWII troop sleeper at the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
It is a Pullman sleeping car from World War II, a type of car built to carry soldiers on long trips by rail. It is one of the museum's notable pieces of rolling stock. Ask the volunteers whether it is open to step inside on the day of your visit.
Is the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum accessible?
The museum does not post accessibility information online. Historic towers often have stairs, and the grounds are outdoors beside the tracks. Call (812) 238-9958 before your visit to ask what areas are reachable for wheelchairs, strollers or visitors who cannot manage steps.
Can groups visit the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The museum does not advertise a group tour program online. Since it is run by a historical society with limited open days, call (812) 238-9958 well ahead to ask whether members can host a scout troop, class or club, and whether a weekday visit can be arranged.
How can I become a member of the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The museum invites people to become members and subscribe to its newsletter through a link on its Facebook page. Membership supports the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society, which owns and operates the museum. You can also ask about volunteering when you visit.
Is the Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum the same as the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
Yes. The museum's own website uses the name Wabash Valley Railroad Museum, and some directories list it as the Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum or Railroader Museum. All refer to the museum at 1316 Plum Street in Terre Haute run by the Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society.
Is there parking at the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The museum does not list parking details online. It is on Plum Street in Terre Haute, so call (812) 238-9958 to ask where visitors should park, especially if you are bringing a larger vehicle or a group.
What train museums are near the Wabash Valley Railroad Museum?
The Terre Haute Children's Museum railway exhibits are in the same city, a good indoor stop with young kids. The Linden Depot Museum is about 57 miles away, the Monticello Railway Museum in Illinois about 73 miles, and the Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick about 76 miles.
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