Located in southwestern St. Louis, near the Kirkwood suburb, this museum features an amazing collection of larger-than-life locomotives. Founded in 1944, it houses one of the largest collections of transportation vehicles in the world with more than 190 rail and transit exhibits. Highlights include a UP Big Boy, an AT&SF 2-8-8-2, a C&O 2-8-4 and more.

There are also lots of automobiles on display including a 1915 Ford Model T, a Corvette and a couple of Bel Airs among others. The Creation Station, a huge area for kids, is another must-see. The majority of the exhibits are outside so wear sunscreen and bring water on a hot day. Allow a minimum of two hours to tour the museum.

The museum has a large research library that contains thousands of books and catalogs, plus numerous photographs, maps, blueprints, drawings and other documents. Its collections are donated by individuals, organizations and companies, many of whom are railroad enthusiasts. Its curator, whose salary is funded by the museum, is assisted by a staff of specialists.

The museum is run by the Transport Museum Association, a non-profit organization established in 1948 to raise money and volunteers for the facility. It later acquired land at Barrett Station along the right-of-way of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and began building exhibits. The museum has since branched out into other modes of transport including aviation, buses and streetcars. The museum’s board of directors includes several members with expertise in railroad history or practical experience in the industry.