Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum

Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum

Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum
Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum
Location within Texas
Location 210 East Oakwood Street
Tyler, Texas
Type Model trains
Railroad memorabilia
Website Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum

The Cotton Belt Depot Train Museum is located at 210 East Oakwood Street, in the city of Tyler, county of Smith in the U.S. state of Texas.

Contents

History

Tyler had been a railroad hub since the Houston and Great Northern first came through the town in 1873.[1] The depot was built in 1905. The railroad business added to the local economy, but fell victim to the emergence of more modern forms of transportation, and the depot closed its doors in 1956.[2] The railroad deeded the depot over to the City of Tyler in 1988. After a renovation, the space was shared by the Tyler Transit Department and the museum, which is run by the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society.[3]

Museum

Hours, admission

The model train collection of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bragg is the bulk of the hands-on exhibit. Other artifacts and memorabilia have been donated by various individuals.[3]

Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The museum hosts the annual Cotton Belt Depot Model Train Show the last weekend in April. Tour groups are welcome.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ McCroskey, Vista K. "Tyler Tap Railroad". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eqt34. Retrieved 3 January 2012. 
  2. ^ Bowman, Bob. "The Tyler Depot". Blueprints For Travel, LLC.. http://www.texasescapes.com/AllThingsHistorical/Tyler-Depot-BB1005.htm. Retrieved 3 January 2012. 
  3. ^ a b c "Cotton Belt Train Museum". City of Tyler. http://www.cityoftyler.org/TylerTransit/CottonBeltDepotMuseum/tabid/623/Default.aspx. Retrieved 3 January 2012.