My son loves Thomas the Train. He loved going to the train museum. It's an old warehouse that is stocked full of old train cars. You and your kids can go into the cars. They aren't just box cars. They are passenger cars, etc. They also have train sets that kids love to watch and railroad equipment, signs, etc. Retired engineers and railroad employees volunteer to work the museum. These folks are full of stories and knowledge. Be sure to ask questions. The only downside is the last time we were in there, they did not have air conditioning and there is no place to buy food or drinks.

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.