The Cotton Belt Railroad was once the king of the region of Pine Bluff and with its large shops, employed hundreds at one time. The Railroad Museum occupies one of the surviving buildings once used for repairs. Most of the shops are now gone, but the museum is absolutely full of artifacts and actual train engines and cars that can be toured. The 819 locomotive, a large steam locomotive built in Pine Bluff is on exhibit along with most anything you can imagine having to do with the railroad. The operators of the museum have made this a labor of love and you can see it when you visit.

I have been coming here every April for over 10 years. I have always been here during the annual model railroad and railroadina swap meet. I have never actually seen the museum in its natural state because they always have to move some of the exhibits out to put in the swap tables and layouts. Nonetheless, the museum is the only one I know of located in a genuine railroad shops. This sets it apart from almost every other railroad museum in the US. You do not just look at old trains. You learn how trains were built and maintained. I believe locomotive 819 was actually built here It is worth seeing.

My son is addicted to trains. Has been since he was 1 year old. Every year we make a special trip to Pine Bluff just to visit the museum. His eyes light up every time. Its nice to see they perserve so much of our history.

Kids of all ages will enjoy this free museum. You can get in almost all of the engines and cars; very hands on. I personally loved the memorabelia collected through the years. They even have two switching rooms set up, a true rarity as most were trashed many years ago.
It's run by a bunch of nice old retired railroad fellows for the most part. They have a wealth of knowledge about the trains that have passed through this area.
Finally, don't miss this attraction if you love trains.... and who doesn't? Really.