The National Museum of Transportation is open daily starting March 1, 2026!
Here are more details for our SPRING/SUMMER season:
March 1 – LABOR DAY/September 7, 2026
Open Daily
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed April 5th for Easter
Closes at 2:00 pm on July 4th
During the winter months, please check the inclement weather hotline at 314.289.3508, ext. #4, prior to leaving for the Museum. Be safe out there!
By Lucas Iverson | Trains.com | January 2, 2026
| Last updated on January 5, 2026
Wearing multiple hats while pursuing his academics at the National Museum of Transportation
At the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, Aiden Drohr wears multiple hats. He serves as an exhibit tour guide and an operator of the 2-foot gauge railroad. The 42-acre facility also hosts the 21-year-old’s internship as he pursues his academics in history and museum studies.
Aiden Drohr: I’ve been visiting the Museum of Transportation since I was 3 years old, and made it a point to go out there two to four times a year, roughly.
When I was a junior in high school, I needed service hours, and one of the ways to obtain them was to do a job shadow. I reached out to the museum at that time, asked if I could shadow some of the people who work there, and they reached back out and said, “Absolutely.” So that day, I shadowed the executive director, the curator of collections, and the people who worked in the archives. That was an amazing experience altogether.
Fast forward to about a year or so later, I reached out to them again, asking if they had any open positions for a tour guide. I just so happened to be in the right place at the right time. And so I’ve been working at the museum since the summer of 2022.
Aiden Drohr: I say on a personal level, at least, and this is just my experience with the museum, I haven’t found anything to be super challenging. Everybody here is incredibly friendly and open. They always wanted to share information with you and how something is supposed to work. So, on a personal level, I’ve not experienced anything too challenging.
But on a grandiose scale, and this is also with the Museum of Transportation, funding is always a challenge. This is a thing across the board with rail museums and rail preservation in general is getting funding for projects, and also finding the people to do those projects. I know we have a few projects that have slowed down by a lack of people who can work on that kind of stuff. But it’s definitely the funding aspect of getting money and grants. I haven’t really dug into the weeds of this quite yet, but I’ve definitely touched on the learning aspects of how to obtain grants, how to go after donations, and how to get funding.
Aiden Drohr: I’d say probably one of the most rewarding things is just seeing people’s reactions to the collection, especially their positive reactions. At the museum, we have a series of special talks called Feature Fridays. They usually take place in early summer, about May, and all the tour guides are allowed to pick a certain artifact to do in-depth research and give a presentation. I’ve done a number of these talks, in addition to giving people a tour around the locomotives while highlighting the different mechanical aspects and history. Just seeing the way people react to stuff like that, I’d say is the most rewarding thing for me.
Aiden Drohr: I’d say today, rail preservation is in a pretty good spot. I try to keep up to date on all other kinds of rail museums and see what projects they’re doing, and almost every time I look at something, it’s like either someone’s announcing a new project or they’re giving an update on an ongoing project. From what I can see, things look pretty good.
As for the future, I hope that we can keep this momentum going, and maybe someday see Class Is get more friendly towards excursions again. But I think as long as we can keep this momentum right now going, I think rail preservation will be in a pretty good spot in the future.
Aiden Drohr: I’d say go to your local railroad museum and railroad club. Get involved in some way, shape, or form. Be like, “I’m here. Put me to work.” Then if anyone would want to pursue it for a career, I say get a plan and try to stick to it as best as possible.
But don’t go too fast. Weigh your options, because for me, originally my plan was to go to community college for two years, and then get a job with a Class I railroad. But after I started working at the museum, I really didn’t want to leave. So definitely don’t go too fast, and weigh out your options if it’s a good fit.
Here is the link: https://www.trains.com/trn.railroads/heritage-rail/preservation/young-guns-in-preservation-aiden-drohr
The National Museum of Transportation Celebrates 100 Years of Route 66 with New Exhibit:
“Roads, River, Rooms, and Reels”
St. Louis, MO – The National Museum of Transportation is proud to announce a special exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66. Titled “Roads, River, Rooms, and Reels,” the exhibit will open to the public on March 14, 2026, and will explore the stories, memories, and modes of travel that shaped America’s most iconic highway and the communities connected to it.
Two iconic features anchor the exhibit. Visitors will experience a stunning 26-foot model of the S.S. Admiral, beautifully restored by the skilled craftsmen of Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 36, honoring the legendary riverboat that once defined river travel and entertainment in the Midwest. The exhibit will also spotlight the beloved ’66’ Park-In Theatre on Watson Road, owned by the Wehrenberg Family of St. Louis, Missouri, a treasured symbol of drive-in movie culture and shared community memories along Route 66.
As part of the exhibition, the Museum invites the public to participate in a special storytelling initiative titled, “I Remember…” Community members are encouraged to share personal memories of the S.S. Admiral, the ’66’ Park-In Theatre, or any drive-in theater “back in the day.”
Submissions of 600 words or less may be emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “I Remember.” Essays must be received by January 25, 2026, and selected submissions may become part of the exhibition.
The National Museum of Transportation, 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and receives no governmental funding. The Museum relies solely on the generosity of the community to continue its mission of preserving the past for future generations.
The Museum boasts “one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the country,” according to representatives from the Smithsonian Institution, and has been voted one of the top open-air museums in the nation for the past two years by a USA Today Readers’ Choice poll.
For more information about the exhibit or how to support the Museum, please visit The National Museum of Transportation or contact the Museum directly.
Media Contact:
The National Museum of Transportation
Email: [email protected]
Website: tnmot.org
Cheers to a great 2026. May the new year bring you good health and much happiness….
The National Museum of Transportation Thanks Community for Supporting ALL Aboard Program
Amanda Ryman, TNMOT Grant Writer, and Major Adam Moore, General Secretary and Greater St. Louis Area Commander of The Salvation Army.
St. Louis, MO – The National Museum of Transportation (TNMOT) extends its heartfelt gratitude to the community for generously supporting its ALL Aboard Program – an initiative that ensures every child can experience the wonder of the Museum, regardless of their ability to pay. Through ALL Aboard, TNMOT distributes Museum admission tickets and miniature train ride passes directly to partner agencies across the region.
This holiday season, because of overwhelming community support, TNMOT proudly distributed 8,000 Museum tickets to the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. Angel Tree, founded in 1979 by Majors Charles and Shirley White, remains one of the Salvation Army’s highest-profile Christmas efforts, providing essential clothing, toys, and joy to children during the holidays.
“We love to assist an organization whose tagline includes ‘Hard Times Call for Soft Hearts,” said Terri McEachern, Executive Director at The National Museum of Transportation. “Our ALL Aboard Program is rooted in that same spirit of compassion. Thanks to our donors, thousands of children will experience a day of discovery, wonder, and joy at the Museum.”
For just $10, community members can sponsor a child’s visit to the Museum through the ALL Aboard Program by visiting tnmot.org and selecting the agency that is closest to their heart. TNMOT encourages the community to give generously and help create lasting memories for local families. Corporate sponsors include Employees Community Fund of Boeing, Union Pacific Foundation, and Walmart Spark Good.
The National Museum of Transportation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that receives no government funding. Its operations and preservation efforts rely solely on the generosity of the community. The Museum was recognized by representatives of the Smithsonian Institution as having “one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the world.” Additionally, TNMOT has been named one of the Top Five Best Outdoor Museums in the country for the past two years by the USA Today Readers’ Choice Poll.
For more information on the ALL Aboard Program or to make a donation, please visit tnmot.org.
TNMOT issued a resolution declaring November 29, 2025, as E1 Day (F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet) at The National Museum of Transportation.
The Garden Train at TNMOT behind our station gift shop is darling anytime, by in the snow it is magical!
The National Museum of Transportation (TNMOT) is expanding its aviation footprint in a remarkable way. TNMOT’s growing fleet already includes a storied C-47 transport plane that carried troops and supplies during WWII, the F/A-18 E1—the very first Super Hornet ever built and the powerhouse of the U.S. Navy—and a classic T-33 trainer. In 2026, the Museum will proudly welcome a Harrier jump jet, an engineering marvel known for its revolutionary vertical/short takeoff and landing capability. The Harrier changed modern military aviation by allowing pilots to operate where traditional runways were impossible, making it one of the most versatile aircraft ever built.
While these aircraft represent aviation excellence recognized around the world, their presence on the Museum’s campus honors a deeply local story—the extraordinary legacy of McDonnell Douglas and later Boeing, and the thousands of St. Louis-area men and women whose skill, innovation, and dedication shaped American aerospace history. We invite you to help us create a beautiful display pad and surrounding park-like setting worthy of this fleet. Your gift of $100 or more will reserve your place at our ribbon-cutting celebration when the Harrier arrives in early summer 2026. Much must be done before then to prepare the site—please donate today to help us bring this vision to life. (Naming rights for this aviation plaza expansion are also available. Please contact the Museum at [email protected] for additional information. Levels of Giving are noted below.)
The National Museum of Transportation is located at 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO, and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Museum receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of the community for continued support. The Museum is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution for having ‘one of the largest and best collections of transportation vehicles in the country,’ and voted one of the top five best open-air museums in the country by the USA Today Readers’ Choice Poll for the past two years.
Benefits:
-Exclusive naming rights for the entire Aviation Plaza
-Prominent plaza entrance signage with donor name
-Recognition on the Museum’s website, annual report, and donor wall
-Private VIP unveiling event for up to 25 guests
-Behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum’s aviation collection
-Lifetime Family Museum Membership
Benefits:
-Name featured on a dedicated Flight Deck Circle recognition panel
-Invitation for 10 guests to the Aviation Plaza ribbon-cutting
-Private guided tour of the F/A-18 E1, Harrier, and F-15 exhibits
-Ten annual complimentary admission passes
-Family Museum Membership for 5 years
Benefits:
-Name included on the Pilot’s Honor Tier recognition display
-Invitation for 6 guests to the ribbon-cutting
-Six complimentary admission passes annually for 5 years
-Family Museum Membership for 3 years
Benefits:
-Name listed on the Wings & Wheels donor plaque
-Invitation for 4 guests to the Aviation Plaza opening event
-Four complimentary admission passes annually for 3 years
-Family Museum Membership for 1 year
Benefits:
-Name included on the Runway Supporter listing
-Invitation for 2 guests to the ribbon-cutting
-Two complimentary admission passes annually for 2 years
Benefits:
-Personalized engraved brick installed within the plaza walkway
-Digital certificate of appreciation
-Recognition in the Museum’s online donor listing
Benefits:
-Name included in the Museum’s online donor listing
-Digital thank-you certificate
-Invitation to special aviation email updates and sneak-peek announcements
Go here to choose one of the Aviation Plaza giving level options.
For other naming rights levels, please contact Amanda Ryman at [email protected].
The National Museum of Transportation Takes Its Story to the Streets in 2026
Kirkwood, MO — The National Museum of Transportation (TNMOT) is excited to announce a community-wide outreach initiative for 2026. As part of its mission to connect people with the history and future of American transportation, the Museum is seeking speaking opportunities with community groups, civic organizations, and fraternal associations across the region.
For 81 years, TNMOT has been a proud part of the St. Louis community. Museum representatives are “taking the story to the streets,” offering to bring engaging presentations directly to local luncheon meetings, breakfast gatherings, and other organizational events. Speakers will share updates on the Museum’s newest restoration projects, highlight upcoming special events, and offer a glimpse into ambitious plans for the years ahead.
Nationally recognized for excellence, TNMOT houses “one of the best collections of transportation vehicles in the country,” according to representatives from the Smithsonian Institution. The Museum was also recently voted one of the top open-air museums in the United States by the USA Today Readers’ Choice Poll.
Organizations interested in scheduling a speaker for their 2026 meeting are encouraged to contact the Museum at [email protected].
The National Museum of Transportation is located at 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122.
Please continue to support the Donation Depot by bringing your gently used items to The National Museum of Transportation’s Barrett Station Gift Shop. If you have any holiday collectibles or unique items, please drop them off in Barrett Station on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or you can drop them by the administration office at 2967 Barrett Station Road, St. Louis, MO 63122, Monday – Thursday.
Guidelines: We can accept only 10 items or less from an individual at a time so we can inventory donations. We cannot accept clothes, electronics, large items, appliances, or books/magazines. We are delighted to accept your small treasures, collectibles, or unique items.
Thank you. (It’s a great place to shop, too! Drop in when you have a chance!)
