Amtrak Exhibit Train at Union Station

To celebrate the company’s 40^th anniversary in 2011, Amtrak set up a rail-​based mini museum using reclaimed and restored railway equipment. The locomotive and cars have continued to tour the country regularly since then, recently making a return visit to St. Louis Union Station to serve as an added attraction for St. Louis Holiday Magic and the Polar Express events in late November.
Assuming that the Exhibit Train continues touring through 2015 and beyond, here’s what to (probably) expect when it comes back to St. Louis…
Who should go:
Although the Saturday of the train’s stopover here was drizzly and cold, a lot of families still turned up to see the exhibits and most seemed to enjoy them. Travel, history or rail enthusiasts of any age will find something interesting.
What to see:
The train’s first three display cars are designed to (in order): tell the story of Amtrak’s founding + early years; provide information about modern American passenger railroad operations; offer perspectives on expansion + other future projects. If you have the time to read, the history (especially) feels quite complete and there are plenty of interesting photos. Allot about 45 minutes to casually go through the cars, a little more if there’s a volunteer docent around or a little less if you’re planning on skipping by a few of the panels. The final car serves as the gift shop.
There aren’t a lot of interactive exhibits for young rail enthusiasts, but there were a lot of displays with small scale models and memorabilia. The must-​see? In the middle car, there’s an array of buttons that demonstrate the audible signature of Amtrak locomotives through the years.
Admission, logistics, etc.:
Admission was free for everyone and included access to all that the exhibition had to offer. There were no lines nor pre-​registration /​tickets required either.
Parking at Union Station does come with a fee and no obvious way to avoid it, without taking a chance on the street parking along 20^th Street (which is metered and may be patrolled).
Access to the exhibit cars may be difficult for those with trouble climbing stairs and there were some uneven surfaces leading up to the platform. Calling Union Station in advance is probably the best way to confirm solutions to any concerns with accessibility.