Author: Renee Hughes 2

Big Boy UP #4014 Heartland of America Tour

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

The National Museum of Transportation’s Big Boy’s UP #4006 relative, Big Boy UP #4014, was in St. Louis, Missouri, September, 2024, on its grand Heartland of America Tour. A special guest who has visited our Museum and occupied our Chrysler Turbine car, Jay Leno himself, rode along with Ed Dickens on part of this #4014 tour and was so gracious to film his excursion. Here is a link to Jay’s fun and informative YouTube video. (There are a few commercials, just FYI.)

Here is the YouTube description to whet your appetite to view the video just in case you did not go straight there. “In this special episode, Jay Leno explores the world’s largest steam engine—the iconic Union Pacific “Big Boy.” This 600-ton behemoth, originally built in 1941, is the most powerful steam locomotive ever created. Join Jay as he dives deep into the rich history, mind-blowing technology, and sheer power behind this engineering marvel. Thanks to Union Pacific and National Park Foundation for making this possible! From inside the cab, Jay takes viewers on a once-in-a-lifetime ride, showcasing:

🚂How this 7000-horsepower giant revolutionized American transportation. 🚂Its connection to Abraham Lincoln and the Golden Spike that united the country. 🚂Incredible behind-the-scenes stories of restoring this 80-year-old masterpiece to its former glory.

Witness the raw power of steam like never before, and learn how the Big Boy continues to inspire rail fans of all ages. This is more than just a train—it’s a living piece of history! 🚂 Get ready for some serious horsepower. Don’t miss this episode—it’s Big Boy time! 🚂”

Santa/Reindeer 2024 Dates at TNMOT!

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

Santa Claus and live reindeer will be visiting The National Museum of Transportation (TNMOT) starting November 29, 2024, the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Below are Santa’s and/or Live Reindeer expected dates at TNMOT, weather permitting:

Friday, November 29, Santa 11am-2pm; Live Reindeer 10am-1pm (BONUS: Santa lands via helicopter around 10am!)

Saturday, November 30, Santa 11am-2pm

Sunday, December 1, Santa 11am-2pm

Saturday, December 7, Santa 11am-2pm; Live Reindeer 11am-2pm

Sunday, December 8, Santa 11am-2pm

Saturday, December 14, Santa 11am-2pm; Live Reindeer 11am-1pm

Sunday, December 15, Santa 11am-2pm

Saturday, December 21, Santa 11am-2pm; Live Reindeer 11am-1pm

Sunday, December 22, Santa 11am-2pm

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Go here for the full holiday schedule to maximize your magic this season!

Spire Employee Volunteers Build Jet Platform

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

Employees lend skills, build platform for historic fighter jet

In late July 2024, Spire employees spent time volunteering and building a platform for a historic fighter jet – the F/A-18 E1, which was the first Super Hornet ever produced. After many years away from Missouri, the jet was brought back to the area and arrived at The National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis in December 2023. At the time, it was unassembled. Now, it proudly sits assembled at the Museum. 

Image of platform being built

Image of platform being built

Image of fighter jet on platform

Source: Spire’s website 

F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet Dedication Photo Gallery 8-3-2024

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

Gallery: F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet Dedication @ The National Museum of Transportation

(Source: West Newsmagazine/Lou Countryman photo, Aug 3, 2024)

Please reference this link to the fabulous gallery of West Newsmagazine’s photos documenting the F/A-18 E1 Super Hornet dedication at The National Museum of Transportation on August 3, 2024. Reference Boeing’s short video here to watch the 1995 flight from Lambert field and then the Super Hornet’s installation dedication at TNMOT.

To listen to Tim Bischoff’s Big 550 KTRS-AM August 1, 2024, excellent interview, click here and slide to 37:30 and listen through 52:10, to hear about the back history of TNMOT’s Super Hornet, including its deliverance from being assigned to the Tucson, Arizona, boneyard or even more tumultuous, a scrapyard. Our McDonnell Douglas built airframe was spared by Boeing and donated to TNMOT through a loan arrangement from the National Aviation Museum. Future Phase 2 plans are mentioned which look to possibly include adding stairs up to the cockpit for a more intimate view of the interior, and perhaps 3-D printing of the inside cockpit instruments. Exciting!

Model Trains – Barrett Station and Garden Train

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

If you are looking for more model trains at The National Museum of Transportation, you’ll find one such display inside our Barrett Station depot.

If you exit Barrett Station using the back door (west sunny side), you will find another model train and be able to watch our Garden train wending its way through a village. First a view of the garden layout with fresh plantings.

Here’s another view with the model train.

For an interpretation of our Barrett Station Garden train village and model train from a winning artist’s perspective, here is a 2023 Plein Air rendering to canvas by Danae Hoppe, which sold immediately. The inspiration that fostered the dedicated installation of this Garden train and village further inspired a professional artist to memorialize the vision.

Plein Air 2024 Winners

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The Plein Air Art event in 2024 at TNMOT had the some of the best renderings of our campus and artifacts to canvas yet!

The winners:

1st Place and Best of Show: Marty Coulter

2nd Place: Gary Beazley

3rd Place: Katherine Martinez

Thank you to all those who participated–please know your warmth and friendliness with our guests add a special touch. Extra appreciation goes to Allen Kriegshauser, our judge, an exquisite and professional Plein Air artist in his own right!

Boxcar Boutique Online Shop – Die-cast, Gift Cards, and more!

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LARGE Die-cast selection.  Two online locations!

Visit the Museum’s Boxcar Boutique for daily passes, gift cards, retail die-cast and more!

Your purchase directly supports The National Museum of Transportation, a 501(c)(3) organization relying on the generous financial support of our community to continue preserving the past for future generations.

Play Day in Forest Park–June 1, 2024

Posted on by Renee Hughes 2

TNMOT is participating in ‘Play Day in the Park’ on Saturday, June 1, from 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, in Forest Park. This event is a collaborative effort with other tourist attractions and educational facilities sponsored by Spire. In our area, Just PLANE Fun, kids will make paper airplanes and practice flying them through a variety of targets. For full flyer, go here.

Saturday, June 1, 2024
9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Langenberg Field
Forest Park • St. Louis, MO
Play Day in the Park is a collaborative event proudly
sponsored by Spire and is FREE for all families.
To kick off this summer, join us for a free family event
highlighting the power of play in children’s lives!
From fishing and bubbles, to parachute play and
adaptive sports, there will be fun activities for all.
Plus, families will be able to sign up for STL Summer Adventure,
a community summer learning program powered by
St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library.
Pack a picnic or purchase lunch at the Park.
Free parking is available in the Park.
Event will take place rain or shine.

2024 Road to the BIG RELAXATION RAFFLE

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We’ll make stops along the way drawing a different prize each day!

Starting September 22, 2024, we’ll draw one winner per day for a designated prize. If you win, your name goes back in the drum for the BIG RAFFLE drawing on September 29, 2024, at 3:00 pm, in the Earl C. Lindburg Automobile Center.  View full flyer for details. To purchase raffle tickets, go here.

You could win multiple times!