More Than A Whistle Stop

Rail fans rejoiced at the up close look of the Santa Fe War Bonnet.

WRITTEN BY

THE ROSENBERG RAILROAD MUSEUM

PHOTGRAPHY BY BAC PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN

Whistle Stop THE Rosenberg Railroad Museumis F u n f o r t h e W h o l e F a m i ly

“Clang, clang!”

The Rosenberg Railroad Museum’s railroad bell is a favorite of Museum patrons both young and old. Nestled up against three active train lines in downtown Historic Rosenberg, the Museum is a hidden gem within city limits.

Starting with a dream 25 years ago, the Rosenberg Railroad Museum had over 20,000 visitors come through last year to learn more about Fort Bend County and the county’s rich railroad heritage.

Dedicated to preservation and education, the non-profit Museum is home to the original Rosenberg interlocking tower, Tower 17, and the last working interlocker in Texas. Moved from its original location a quarter mile down the tracks, Tower 17 has recently been lovingly restored and preserved for future generations so that they may learn how rail traffic was controlled by the interlocker and its operators prior to operations being relocated

Senator Lois Kolkhorst and museum supporters in front of the Quebec, a fully restored 1879 passenger car.

to a central dispatch in 2003. Visitors can operate the interlocker (an electro-mechanical machine), pull the levers just as the tower operators did and operate actual semaphore signals during their visit.

In addition, the Museum has amassed an interesting collection of artifacts housed in the Museum’s replica, Union Depot gallery. Visitors can also learn about the original Rosenberg Harvey House restaurant that paved the way for today’s fast food restaurants and about the women that help settle the West.

The brightly painted “Quebec” is a fully restored passenger rail car from 1879 that transports visitors to a bygone era and a favorite back drop of local photographers, looking for a “vintage” feel. The Museum’s rustic MoPac caboose is currently going through a restoration with the Museum asking for help through its #saveourcaboose campaign.

Both the young and young at heart squeal with delight as they watch the Museum’s outdoor “G” gauge

Children and adults are fascinated by the trains at the museum.

Musical group plays live at the RailFest.

At Fall Fun Fest, crowds saw a Santa Fe War Bonnet pass by and stop briefly at RRM.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Museum’s website at HOURS OF OPERATION: 10am-5pm Wednesday-Saturday 1-5pm on Sundays (1:29 scale) railroad come to life. When completed, this garden layout will be a representation of the Rosenberg and Richmond area, complete with working Brazos River and miniature favorites of local landmarks and businesses. The Museum partnered with the Houston Area “G” Gaugers (HAGG) for this project and the club hosts a “run” day every fourth Sunday (weather permitting) in which club members bring out trains from their extensive collections for public viewing.

The Museum also has three popular annual festivals: RailFest in April, Fall Fun Fest in September and WinterFest in January. (rosenbergRRmuseum.org for more information)

These festival fundraisers are an area favorite with many rail fans coming year after year from all over Houston. Festival patron Lee Gaston stated “It was so cool watching the kids be amazed by the little trains and wave in excitement at the real engines that came through blowing their whistles and waving at the children.”

In addition, the Museum has extensive educational programming for kids to participate in. Classes range from the Preschool level with the Wig Wag Learning Series, to model railroad camps, to Boy Scout merit badge classes and home school classes for all ages. The Museum is committed to making it fun to learn about history and STEM concepts.

So, no matter if you are new to the area, just passing through or a long-time resident of Fort Bend County, the Rosenberg Railroad Museum invites you to come take a closer look.

According to the Museum’s executive director, Ratha Liladrie “ Whether a rail fan, history buff or a novice at both, the Rosenberg Railroad Museum has something for everyone and our awesome docents will make learning

rosenbergRRmuseum.org

fun for the whole family.” v