Union Pacific Railroad Museum Reviews

For all of you who smile when you see a train passing by, then you must visit the Union Pacific Railroad Museum when you're in Council Bluffs! The museum is free to visit, but hopefully you'll appreciate it so much, you'll make a nice little donation before you leave! It's so impressive to see the sophistication rail travel once was. There are exhibits spanning passenger travel, the history of rail transportation, the expansion of the rail lines through the West. My husband and I toured the museum and he turned into a young boy looking and playing with the exhibits...so...with that being said, it's completely appropriate for children, as well. We had no idea how large the museum was inside and were quite surprised 2-1/2 hours had passed when we completed our visit!!

Rail and Union Pacific fans will no doubt enjoy this free museum but as the building was originally a Carnegie Library, it is worth visiting for the architecture as well as the stained glass windows have been left intact and the building beautifully restored. This is literally next door to the Squirrel Cage Jail so easy to visit both. Bayliss Park is just across the road as well. If staying in Omaha, you can get to downtown Council Bluffs by bus and walk to multiple tourist sites. There isn’t a cafe onsite but multiple options just down the road for coffee, lunch.

The museum showcases the history of the Union Pacific Railroad with spectacular interactive displays, interesting to both young and old. There is no entrance fee, though visitors can leave a contribution to the museum. The audio self guided tour was not working well when we were there, so we just winged it. The museum was not crowded, so moving through the different display areas was quite easy. If you are in this area, a trip to this museum is worth your time.

This was an awesome place to go to have a lot of things to look at my history we enjoyed ourselves immensely had a great time there you that our son have a great time if I was going to be boring excellent / 5 stars

We visited the museum during railroad days.
We had not visited in a couple of years.
It is well layed out and gives a great overview of the history of the
Railroad. We especially enjoyed learning of Lincoln's role in the development of the railroad.
Treat yourself and learn railroad history!

Holiday happenings! A special THANK YOU to the volunteers! The live reindeer were outside for all the kids to see. Pictures were taken! Cookies and cider were inside.
The Museum was open for all to see. What a great time it was as we warmed up to go back out to enjoy the ceremonial holiday lighting of Bayliss Park!

Great history of the Union Pacific Railroad. There are interactive exhibits and arrows on the floor to guide you through the museum. Items from Lincoln's Presidential rail car are on display, also. Entrance to the museum is the basement where you walk into a small gift shop. The employee gives guidance on the best route to take through the museum. Admission is free; donations suggested.

Excellent museum with good interaction exhibits for kids. The museum is free but does ask for a modest $3 donation - well worth it. If you like American history or trains then this place is worth a visit.

This is one of the best railroad museums that we have visited. It is well laid out with activities for kids.

We stopped by because our kids like trains. The building is beautiful and they had a lot of interesting and interactive exhibits. I would love to go again without kids so I can take my time and read more! Very nice museum.

It was free, right next door to the Squirrel Cage Museum and very nicely done. A lot of hands on things for the kids to do and a great docent was there the day we visited.

We were visiting an attraction nearby and decided to take this one in too. There was something for everyone here--interactive displays for kids, lots of memorabilia for the train buffs, and interesting information on the luxury trains of the past. There are two floors (and an elevator for those who want to use it) to explore. Videos and written material help you learn more about railroading history. This was a great place to visit and I would recommend it to all. Donations are collected as you walk in the door.

I've been on a binge to learn more about the building of our transcontinental railroads in Canada & the US. knowing that Council Bluffs was at one end I happened to be there, I took some time to visit the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. For those of you who might have been here a while ago, it has been moved to 200 Pearl in Council Bluffs to accommodate its collection. It had a couple of surprises for.me. First, the entrance is not at the doors which you naturally assume to be the main entrance.but follow the signs to the lower level entrance. Second surprise, it's free. So I asked where do you get your support from? Answer: Union Pacific & generous donors like you, so please donate when you visit. It's a 3-level museum. Bottom has the entrance & small gift shop. Main level is the primary collection most of which describes the history before, during & after the building of the railroad from both ends: Sacramento & Council Bluffs. The top level is half under construction. The other half has a collection describing the glory days of railroading when you it was much more elegant than it is now. There are several displays of what it used to look like in the 50s that make you wish you could go back to that era. I recommend this visit for adults as there is not much in the way of hands-on. For children, probably Railswest about a mile or so might be more interesting because it has real locomotives outside & HO models inside. This visit took me 3 hours because I read almost all the placards. If you scan, it could be done in an hour. Anyway, this visit inspired me to see the railroad museum at the other end in Sacramento.

This museum has lots of history about the early days of the railroad. They have things you can do with small children. I have been three times and enjoyed all three times I have gone. They ask for a small donation to help with the up keep of the items they have in the museum.

We stopped here with our 2 boys (ages 13 & 10). So much to see, hands on exhibits and activities. The boys had fun exploring all of the areas of the museum. Says free, but they ask for a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $3 for kids.

there aren't many museums you are able to get close and personal and interact as much as you can at the union railroad museum. We came from new york just loved it the whole family.

Really enjoy the interactive displays and history of the railroad in the area. Can't wait for the new interactive display and control center they are working on putting in. It amazes me how much the railroad has changed over the years and the impact it has had.

I thoroughly enjoyed this museum, though a large part of it is because I'm a big fan of trains.

The exhibits did a good job of telling the history of the transcontinental railroad and how it impacted the Western United States. There are other great exhibits sharing the history of the railroad, including equipment, onboard services during the 20th Century, and what the Union Pacific Railroad is like today, which is a fascinating look into what it takes to run a railroad.

There's so much great content in the museum, and the exhibits aren't necessarily bursting at the seams with info. There are many great artifacts, like Native American items. And there are cool interactive elements like when you can push a button to make an explosion noise, and the train engine simulator, with a handle you can pull to sound the horn.

And the museum is a great use of the former Council Bluffs Public Library, which is a Carnegie library building.

While visiting, I saw so many families there with children of all ages, and I would agree the museum is a great family-friendly attraction.

I also liked that a guided tour was offered on Saturday afternoon at 1:30.

Overall, it's a well-done museum and definitely worth a visit. I think even those who aren't that interested in trains will appreciate this museum.

This Museum is laid out very well, it tells the story of the of growth of the Union Pacific railroad. I was surprised that there wasn't any admission charge. If you are in or traveling through this area I would set aside 90 minutes to enjoy this place.

When we first decided to go I thought it wouldn't be too interesting (I don't know anything about trains), but it was very interesting! It had a lot of hands on stuff and a lot of cool artifacts.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is located in a former Carnegie library. The museum tells the story of Union Pacific with lots of historic artifacts and hands-on and interactive displays.

A must see for anyone, but especially if you like trains. I only had an hour to spend here, but I wish had a lot more time. The exhibits are wonderful for any age.

We were there for an hour and that was about the right amount of time.

Very educational and family friendly. Free will donation to enter. Two stories of history about the Rail Road.

If you want to go back in time to see how it all started this is the one to go to. Easily 45 minutes you can spend there. Only open Thurs-Sat so be aware of those hours. Interactive parts of the museum so the kids can enjoy as well. Free admission but they have a suggestion donation box there. Worth giving the sugguested donations.

If you are interested in trains and the history not a better place to start. Drop back in time with the displays and the simulator, fulfill the kid inside you

This was a wonderful treasure. This indoor museum did not have rail cars, but instead it had artifacts, information, and cute interactive areas. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and friendly

Had a great time here at the museum. Lots of hands on experiences for the kids, beautiful items and pictures from history of historic Union Pacific.

This was the best railroad museum we have ever been to. They have many displays including activities for the kids like an engine set-up where they kids can run the controls like they are running the engine down the line or thru a yard. Very cool!!!

On our Eastern trip we hit the squirrel cage jail and found this museum closed that day. Heading back out west we were able to time our travels to be able to visit this museum. What a nice museum. I like the admission=FREE! Visiting this museum was a learning experience and I highly recommend seeing it if in the area! Parking is a little tough but worth it!

Free museum in the old Council Bluffs, Library. Great place to visit for kids and adults alike. This museum is all hands on with interactive areas that say please touch not don't touch ,like most museums. A lot of history here with the Rail Road and Abraham Lincoln. They have is on three levels and it is very interesting. They did a great job on this. They do have a little gift shop area and a donation box also. A must see for train lovers or anyone else.

Located in a beautifully restored Carnegie Library. Very informative and interactive. A must see! Includes President Lincoln memorabilia as well as a lot of information about the railroad.

A visit to this museum took us back in time. Railroads were once the way to get from East to West in the United States. We loved the model trains on the 2nd floor. The museum was one of the highlights of our trip to Omaha.

Just stepping inside this magnificent building was an experience. The displays were informative and very well done. A must see if you have a trip planned to Omaha. And be sure to finish at the authentic soda fountain. Highly recommended!

History abounds and several interactive things for kids and adults to enjoy...a person can be in a computer game by choosing a character and then working for the railroad...picking up railroad ties etc...I enjoyed seeing the remade Abe Lincoln presidential car...very fun museum.

Wonderful old building this is in. Some information was interesting. Not good if you have younger children, not much for them. Web site says admission is free but when you walk in they suggest a donation. I think that should be on the website.

Hands on and lots of history of the railroad. Family friendly and much to see and central location. Tour the old rail cars on display and see the schedules and ticket booths.

The museum is chocked with railroad history, and like a trip back in time to the days of early rail travel. Free Virtual UP Happy Hours that the museum has been hosting on Saturday evening have been amazing with interesting and unusual railroad topics, trivia, and a wonderful host that finds all sorts of hidden photos and facts from their archives. Whether virtually or in person, a great place to relive the yesteryears.

We took the family to this wonderful interactive museum of the culture of a city getting ready to go out west. The elementary school aged family members loved the interactive building of the rails for the train. They were able to pick out their avatar and work together to lay the rail. The gun collection of the security for the railroad was fascinating.

I took my husband here for his birthday because he loves trains. this place is free to get into, they just ask for donations. All you have to do is sign their guest book. It is very interesting and informative and there is lots of activities for the kids. we had a lot of fun here!

We visited this three floor museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa this past September; it is housed in the former Carnegie Library. There is no charge for admission, but a donation is requested and greatly appreciated.
Small exhibitions and a gift shop are on the first floor. The second floor has a number of artifacts, storyboards, and pictures of the history of railroading and especially the Union Pacific. Featured is the interior of a railroad car used by Abraham Lincoln, and one of the three golden spikes (maybe four according to some sources) driven at Promontory Point, Utah. It is the “Arizona” spike which was “Ribbed with Iron, Clad in Silver, and Crowned with Gold.”
The third floor has special exhibitions on rail technology with a lot of artifacts; the area currently is undergoing renovation but still may be visited.
The museum is great for railroad buffs, those interested in history, and really almost anyone of all ages.

We have a six year old that loves trains, so after landing in Omaha, we found out about this museum. We all loved it and will visit it again!

This is a first class museum, filled with lots of beauty and reminders of days of train travel. It is well worth the time to stop.

We spent about an hour at this wonderful, free museum, just a few minutes from I80. It would take longer to read everything. Enter at basement level for gift shop and toilets and consider a free audio guide. We did not see the audio guides until we were leaving. The first floor offers insight into General Dodge, Lincoln, and the building of the railroad in the context of the times. Native American artifacts are from the late 1800's. I found the section about railroad special agents and train robbers particularly interesting.

The second floor tells of working on the railroad and the golden age of rail passenger travel. Small sections of a passenger car, lounge car, and dining car are displayed as well as photos of celebrities back when rail travel was the fashionable way to go.

A train buff would enjoy it even more and a gun nut would get more out of the firearms display than I did. The museum is in a beautiful old library building with no room for full size cars or locomotives, regrettably. A nice park with a big fountain is adjacent and on the other side is the famous Squirrel Cage Jail that we saw only from the outside. Next trip, maybe.

We saw a couple of wheelchair users, it is accessible. On street, metered parking only, I think. Consider taking the detour from Interstate 80 to the Union Pacific Railroad Museum yourself.

Journey through at your own pace. Some interactive displays as well as historic information. Educational.

The museum is located in the former Public Library. The exhibits are very interesting and include
technical information on how the railroad was built and what the functions of rails, switches and various other hardware are. There are pictures of dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities of the past traveling on Union Pacific Railroad. There are also several computerized exhibits geared towards which interact with children. There is no fee but donations are welcomed.

It's Free (but they ask for a donation... specified per age group) never seen that before. There are some really cool historic things here. Some old and some new. It is really big inside and has 3 levels. There is a virtual interactive green screen which is pretty cool as well as other historical transportation displays.

I learned a ton, and enjoyed my time here. You could spend less than and hour or two and see everything very thoroughly.

This is a very nice museum that is laid out very well. We arrived about an hour and a half before closing and we could have spent more time. There is a lot to see and they have interactive displays that keep younger children entertained.

The newest exhibits at the Union Pacific Museum are even more amazing than the originals. It's more interactive and will appeal to all ages, and all interests. Don't miss this museum - it's not the "typical" railroad museum!

Very interesting, hands on exhibits and great historical information. Great for kids and adults. Something for everyone

We visited the museum June 2016. We loved learning about trains and the railroad and appreciated the hands on activities for kids. It had wonderful displays and it is free! Definitely recommend this one!

If you want to find out about Omaha’s History then go here. There are a lot of pictures and hands on exhibits about Omaha’s history. They do a lot of family friendly events here ranging from the Christmas Tree lighting to Rail Days. This is one of Omaha best places to go to.

Nice museum. Lots of interactive displays but also did a great job of explaining the history of the transcontinental railroad. Things were presented in a very logical timeline that made it easy to understand.

I'm so glad we drove over from Omaha to enjoy this museum. Everyone from our elementary child to grandpa enjoyed the visit. The displays were very well thought out and full of interesting facts. My child enjoyed the hands on activies as well. The best part? It is FREE!

I didn’t expect much when we decided to go to this museum. After all, how great can this be in the small town of Council Bluffs Iowa?? Well boy was I wrong. This museum had fabulous displays for adults and incredible interactive displays for kids....or “adult kids”. There was an entire room devoted to Abraham Lincoln and how he was connected to the Union Pacific RR. I must apologize to the city of Council Bluffs....it was a wonderful city filled with history and friendly people.

I really enjoyed the museum... it was very interesting and not boring especially being from around here it was very to go through.

The museum is very interesting and well suited to children also. Many different things to see and shows history that has happened not only locally but in the United States.

The place is free but you can leave donations. The old library building it is in is fantastic. Exhibits are nice. Kids friendly.

Lots of history along with information about railroading today. Several "hands-on" exhibits including a locomotive simulator. Great for adults and kids. The museum is free but there is no free parking.

This was a great find in Council Bluffs. The museum is WELL done, with interactive exhibits, videos, games and even picture taking opportunities that email the photos to you for free. My entire family was thrilled by the museum and its exhibits, and will go back if we find ourselves back in town.

Best train museum in Council Bluffs! Get a great education about trains, the railroad industry and it history. Lots of "hands-on" activities for the kids and best of all it is free of charge!

We visited this museum New Years Weekend and found it to be a really nice small museum. The best part is that the entrance fee is a donation (they suggest $3) which is way less than what I thought it was worth. They have a number of different exhibits detailing the history of the Union Pacific Railroad and various other facts about the history of railroads. It took us a little over an hour to see everything. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in railroads and the role they played in the development of our country.

This museum is a wonderful history of the Union Pacific RR from conception to now. There is a lot of history to absorb, but there is enough interactive exhibits to keep one interested. Two floors of exhibits, one more of the past and the other more recent, including how a train is run today. There is a lot to read if you want the depth, but you can see much you don't want to do much reading. We parked on the street, but there appeared to be parking off street nearby.

My husband and I stopped there last fall. We enjoyed our visit the volunteers there are retired engineers with so much knowledge and history about the old train days. We really enjoyed the museum.

I never knew the history of the American railroad and how it grew this country.
How it was built, the equipment and people who built it.
Best of all....it was FREE!
Well worth a detour!!

The train museum is te place for you. A simulator will let you be the engineer, sit in a seat from long ago to view a historical video, trains of the past and present await you. Council Bluffs is home of the Golden Spike where the east and west met for the first continental track. Travel by train is making a comeback!

This is an excellent overview of the operation of railroads in the past and present, as well as a historical view of the relationship of Council Bluffs and the Union Pacific Railroad. There are some interactive exhibits that kids will enjoy. It is free with a place to donate to the museum.

Definitely a place to see! Great for the whole family. Easy to get too! If you were in Council Bluffs it is a place to see with the family and the kids

The Union Pacific Museum is a great place to learn history of the company, located in a old library .Has lots of photos and interactive displays. However there are no trains to ride or see.

Interesting to see old photographs, equipment and see how the improvements have changed over time. Old train cars, old dining dinnerware, sleeping quarters. From long ago to today's date, unreal.

Wonderful collection of railroad memorabilia well presented in an historic Council Bluffs (old library) building. The guides do a wonderful job of explaining the exhibits and the history behind them.

I think this museum will appeal to everyone. How much of an interest you have in railroading will determine how long you decide to stay. I could have probably spent 4 hours looking around, but I like trains. One thing is for sure, kids will love it!

I thought we were going to see trains. There r none. But they do have nice, t P scale, cut away models and period specific artifacts. I am glad we visited but would not recommend this as a destination visit.
Entrance is free but we did donate to the collection box to help maintain the museum.

It's free! Make sure you make a donation though. This is a very educational facility. We didn't have enough time to take it all in.
Only complaint - lousy parking

Great museum about railroads. One of my favorite parts was the cars with wait staff that spoke to you and asked what you wanted to drink. It was recorded, but cute. I also liked the Lincoln car that was built for President Lincoln. My least favorite was that there was no parking. You have to feed the meter on the street. I highly recommend this museum. Definitely a highlight of Council Bluffs, or CB.

This free museum detailing the origins and workings of the Union Pacific Railroad is exceptional, both in attention to detail and quality. This is a self guided tour with hands on displays that engage the visitor as well as detailed exhibits.

Learned so much more about the trains, how they started and up to the present time. Great exhibits!

Wish I had more time to go back again!

Very enjoyable museum. Learned a lot about the building of the railroad. Lots of attractions for kids. Things to touch, move and watch.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is a great place to learn about the impact of trains on the growth of the United States. Located near downtown Council Bluffs, the museum is housed in a three story, restored 1904 Carnegie Library. Beyond the exhibits on trains, you get to enjoy seeing the craftsmanship and design that was put into these libraries that once dotted the country. The museum itself is easily self-guided, though free audio guides are available when you begin. You learn about the beginnings and growth of trains and the Union Pacific in the US, the drive to build a railroad spanning the country, and the role of trains today in commerce and travel. Spread through the museum are interesting pits of history: china used on glamorous train rides, a spike from Promontory Point (the joining of the trans-continental railroad), and even a simulated dynamite explosion you can trigger. Stairs and elevators allow you to go between the floors, and volunteers are available to answer questions and provide more history. This museum is great for people interested in history and children, as it has enough hands-on and interactive to keep them occupied. Best of all, it's FREE! By the time you're done, however, you'll gladly make a donation in order to keep this great museum going for years to come.

Visited June 18, 2013 as part of a week long Omaha visit.
Take exit 3 off I80 and follow the signs. No off street parking - and all parking is metered for up to 3 hours.
This museum is in the old Carnegie Library and full of Union Pacific owned artifacts telling their story from the early 1800's to today.
Well worth the side trip from Omaha and a must for any railroad fan - even the kids will like it.
Combine this with the Durham Museum in the original UP station downtown Omaha om 10th street. The Durham has the original train cars that this museum does not have the space to display.
Free admission - but please make a donation.
You will be amazed at how comfortable train travel was. - Too bad it's now Amtrak with none of the luxury they had back then.
Lots of photo ops for the kids.

Two floors of great details of the UP RR. Includes a 'ride' in the cab of a locomotive in various settings, quite realistic actually. Well worth the time, great value.

The Museum has been setup with some very informative displays about the history of the Union Pacific Railroad. The story of Abe Lincoln and General Dodge discussing the Transcontinental Railroad in Council Bluffs was new to me. They use some very creative animation of people in history talking to you made it very real.

This museum is in the old library building on the second floor. It is the history of railroad with many real life displays. There is a whole section America travels by rail. The displays are antique dining rooms with Union Pacific fine silver and china. It takes you back in time to the 1930’s travel.

Outstanding exhibits and free! What else is there to say? We couldn't believe that such a wonderful museum was free to the public! History of the Union Pacific is explained in an entertaining way for the whole family. Young and old alike will enjoy this attraction. Easy to find in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Workers are volunteers and really enjoy helping visitors.

The Union Pacific museum packs a lot into a building that doesn’t look that large from the outside. The first floor of this two-level museum covers the history of the Union Pacific Railroad specifically and the transcontinental railroad more generally. It has many artifacts from the trains that operated in the 19th Century. The second floor is divided into a passenger rail section and another on the modern freight operations. The former is steeped with nostalgia for the golden age of rail travel through the West and definitely makes you want to take a train ride. The latter is dense with impressive technological details about the modern industry. There’s a lot of corporate cheerleading here, with little mention of train accidents, but it’s a true museum with many interesting pieces.

There is a bizarre rule requiring masks between 10 am and 12 pm - I guess COVID leaves when it’s lunch time? Enough pandemic theater - get rid of mask requirements!

This free museum (donations requested) is located in a renovated Carnegie Library and they have done an excellent job. The exhibits on the railroad, past and present, are logically laid out with many interactive displays that appeal to all ages. Children will not be bored here

This is a great place to visit; it is very well done. Lots to see and do; I would allow between one and two hours for a visit. The staff are very nice and really know a lot about the place.

Took my brother-in-law and nephew who are both HUGE train enthusiasts. They had a great time and learned a lot about the history of railroading in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area.

The Union Pacific Museum is a must-see when traveling through Council Bluffs. First, it is in a beautiful, historic building, an old Carnegie public library. They've done a wonderful job of restoring the building and transforming it into a top notch museum. The UPRM includes many interactive exhibits on railroading, from western expansion, to passenger service, through modern freight hauling, with plenty to keep young minds interested. There are also several photo opportunities to make lasting memories.

Don't forget the museum store, plus the Squirrel Cage Jail is right next door.

One of the top attractions is a must see in Council Bluffs. They took a former library and turned it into a beautiful museum. Great for adults and kids alike. History abounds in this piece of Americana transportation.Hands on exhibits as well as beautiful artwork and architecture. Don't miss this one!

we were looking for a short trip and decided ti visit this museum,very interesting and it was a small donation,if you love trains go visit it,you will not be disappointed

This is only a “fair” museum! The lack of outside exhibits and an extra poor gift shop are reasons to skip it! The location is quite bad and not easily found!

Took our seven year old granddaughter to this museum based on other TA reports. Nice facility, not a lot for small kids. Several exhibits were not working.
More appropriate for a little older children. Good for adults. Free but they do ask for donations.
Worth a visit for a little older kids.

Visited the UP Railroad Museum with my son, who is an admitted train geek, and had a wonderful time. The museum is free, but accepts donations. Do yourself a favor and take the audio device for the self guided tour. The first floor has an exhibit dedicated to president Lincoln, and explains his involvement with the railroad system in America. You also learn about the building of of the Transcontinental Railroad and Grenville Dodge. Upstairs, there is a train simulator- which my son thoroughly enjoyed. There is also an exhibit which walks you back to the time when Union Pacific was a passenger line ( before Amtrak ). We enjoyed conversation with a few retired UP workers who were volunteering in the museum,They informed us that the staff is working on adding more exhibits to the second floor. Finally, we learned how many abandon railroad tracks are being converted to hiking paths across the country. About the parking- on a week day, you will most probably need to feed a meter directly outside, or you can find the free parking lot a few blocks away. On the weekend, the staff happily informed us that we did not need to put coins in the parking meters.

This is for sure the place to go if your looking for a good family activity.
The interactive train exhibits are fun, along with the history you learn.
The gift shift is a bit small, but then again the museum is the main focus.
It would appear they change things around from time to time. This is for sure a good time especially if your always curious about the workings of a train.

I have been here a few times as my son is a train lover and I am always impressed at the place. It is very well done and they use the space extremely efficient. It is just jam packed with information but the space is bright and well maintained. Plenty for the kids to do and adults alike. It may look iffy from the outside as the entrance is blow the library but trust me and go in.

Many displays were spoiled by being out of date. Worst was the Hurrah for Hollywood. A wonderful collection of photographs of days gone by celebrities in railroad contexts, that teased the person's name rather than giving it. Only the oldest of senior citizens have a chance at identifying the people in the photographs. The display needs to be updated giving the names and placing the photograph in history.

It seems every room has at least two audio programs that play continuously. This made it very hard to read the text on the other displays. If the museum needs to have multiple audio programs in one room it should acquire modern audio technology that can focus the sound on a single spot so other spots within the room are silent.

First, I'll mention that I have a keen interest in railroad, mining, lumbering and Western U.S. history, which definitely affected my expectations of this museum.

I went to this museum, located at the eastern terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad, expecting a unique and detailed presentation of the Union Pacific's history. I was severely disappointed. With the colorful and lengthy history of this railroad, I thought there would be many artifacts, trinkets, and other interesting displays. Instead, I found many displays geared towards children and others with no knowledge of railroading (i.e. a rotating picture wheel that had, "what kind of railroad car is this, and what does it carry?"). The penultimate Union Pacific accomplishment, building over half of the Transcontinental Railroad, only received scant mention with a boring sliding video display and two scenery mock-ups. There also was no mention of the huge engines (often incorporating cutting-edge technology) that were developed by the UP. I can go on and on, but if you understand the things I am mentioning, you probably will also be disappointed. However, there was some interesting things, such as furniture from President Lincoln's private railroad car and a coal chunk dug out of a dinosaur footprint fossil.

Admission is free, so other than driving130 miles out of my way to visit this place, I can't complain too much. I initially gave it a two-star (poor) rating, but I have to consider what the average person is looking for. I also am considering the many volunteers who spent their time assembling this museum, so I give it a three-star "average." rating.

My kids ages 6 and 10 really liked the train museum. There is a suggested donation for an entrance fee. There are interactive things to do. A great photo op with a train. The staff was all very helpful and friendly. They have guided and unguided tours. It is worth the stop.

If your into trains and history of trains and Union Pacific railroad this is the place for you.
Awesome displays of train memorabilia, a train engine simulator, train seats from an old passenger car to set in. This place has got it all. Great volunteer staff,very helpful.

This is a very nice museum! Informative and entertaining - shows not only railroad history but much about our history in general. Located in an old Carnege Library, so the building itself is historical too!

The content in this museum is really good but slightly disappointed for a railroad Museum not to have any engines. But there are lots of interesting things on show in an amazing building which was originally a library. Shop was very disappointing felt that they could have offered more and also nowhere to get a drink or smack.

We've seen more railway relics from yesteryear in other railway museums. This museum is mostly printed placards with lots to read. Apart from a large collection of UP dining crockery, there are not many railway relics on display. To be fair, there are well done mock-ups of small segments of dining cars & coaches, but nothing genuine. The engine driving simulation is a huge disappointment. All the controls are there beside the engineer's seat in a mockup of a diesel cab, complete with moving scenery to the side & ahead through cab windows, but it is no simulation in the sense that no controls vary anything - it is just a presentation of positive train control technology.
A significant portion of material is propaganda in favour of what a wonderful company UP is, but given admission is free, you can't complain too much.
Somethings to validly complain about however are:
1) A very poorly stocked gift shop of UP-related items.
2) The free audio tour is a joke. The handsets work well in response to the input of an exhibit number, but there are NO exhibit numbers posted next to exhibits! (We found out later we were supposed to have been given a map of the museum with numbers on it, but that is needless complexity. Other museums post numbers on the wall next to the exhibits).
Overall, entirely skippable, you'll learn more & see more of UP relics at the Durham museum in Omaha.

The story of the railroad western expansion is well told at the museum. The museum is in the old Carnegie library downtown.

A nice representation of the history of Union Pacific railroad. Well presented. About 1-2 hour visit.

Learned a lot about the American railroads. Great exhibits and well laid out. Informative friendly staff.

A wonderful place to visit if you are a train or history buff. It follows the development and building of the first continental railroad from Omaha, NE. to its terminus in California. Besides the static displays of train related artifacts from Lincoln's rail coach to many interactive stations throughout one can listen to explanations of displays, up to being the engineer on a mountainous route through rugged terrain. The volunteers are personable and always ready to answer any questions you may have. The museum is housed in a restored Carnegie Library on one corner of Bayliss Park in downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa. My only wish is that it could have been located in a rail yard setting.

Really well done. Something for everyone. Great retelling of the transcontinental railway project. I'd recommend reading Ambrose's "Nothing like It in the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869" before or after visiting for a deeper appreciation of the subject.

We enjoyed visiting with railway retirees who are volunteering there. My husband and I loved the historical side. I started to whip through the area talking about how modern trains are run-- then I got caught up in all the interesting info and read ever display board. Do Not Miss taking the free audio guide--it is wonderful! Learned so much..

I wrote a comment that is under Railswest Park. Sorry! The UP museum is the one that is renovated and high tech. Informative for adults and hands on for kids. The caboose is fun for kids to go on.

Make sure you visit this important museum! (Only open Thurs to Sat, but free.). It is worth the time. Very well done.

This meaume was so interesting they had a lot of educational things for my children and had things the children could try and play. Staff was very helpful and directed us in the right place and answered questions when we asked very good with children thank you

My husband and I were very surprised at the UP RR Museum. It was very well laid out and informative. Also, very clean Recommend as a family visit.

This is a very neat museum. We have been here many times and always find different things to look at.

Thought it would be cooler than what we saw . Very small and I'm glad it is free because I wouldn't have paid to go see it again.

We stopped by the museum on a Friday and were immediately put off by the 'volunteer' at the desk. You should only do this job if you enjoy people! This person obviously does not. Seemed annoyed by every question. The museum has tons of things to look at and read about-one in our group is visually impaired and we didn't want to read and read and read for her, so skipped a lot of it. Overall a little disappointed.

Looking for something to do that's cheap? Great to see how the railroad started and lots of hands on stuff for kids. It's in our old public library which has moved. The building is historic and just a great atmosphere.

My five year old daughter and I loved this! They have so many hands on things for kids (and adults) to do, that it really captured her attention. The history buff in me loved seeing the original furniture from President Lincoln's Presidential train car. Lots of good learning here and the staff is all nice and informative. It's also free, but donations are appreciated. Don't be cheap, give the museum a few bucks!

I have only a mild interest in trains but I still spent about 1 1/2 hours in this museum. It was pretty interesting and is free. (They accept donations only) If you have an hour or two to kill I recommend coming here.

Children really liked the engine where you could see the scenery flashing past and play with all the levers.

It was a rainy day so my husband and I sought out something indoors to do and were pleasantly surprised with the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Actually, more than pleasantly surprised. We spent over two hours going through the museum. It was fascinating and so much more than we expected, especially for a free museum. The first floor is the history of building the railroad and includes quite a bit of physical artifacts along with dioramas and descriptions or stories of the time. There was a simple but fun interactive gesture based game that was appealing to adults and children. The second floor had more modern information and interactive exhibits. One of the more fun areas was half the second floor dedicated to the height of the passenger area with models of the era as well as memorabilia such as the china used on the trains. There was also a section highlighting the Hollywood era on the trains. We found ourselves later talking about everything we learned at dinner and agreeing it was one of the best museums of this type we’d been too and we’re not even huge train buffs. One thing to note is there is all metered parking around the building. I would have no problem paying the meters but we had no change so we eventually found free street parking a handful of blocks away on 6th and 6th.

We visited the UP museum today and loved it! Lots of interesting displays, loads of history and interactive displays. And it’s free! Very worthwhile!

There are many free museums out there but very few in Iowa are ever this well done. Not only is this place rather big, well laid out, and interesting, but it makes for a great companion piece to the General Dodge House. They all connect to the story of the Union Pacific Railroad, General Dodge, as well as how railroads work, how they're made, and how trains operate. The audio tour is well done, there's a nice gift shop, and while it isn't a small museum, it's just big enough where you can see a lot in an hour or you could spend the entire day.

My grandson really liked to "drive" a diesel engine!

The video surround made it seem pretty realistic for a child, definitely worth a stop and see...The historical artifacts would be more of an interest to adults, but families would like it!

This isn't something I tend to enjoy, however it was entertaining. I was able to find several displays to peak my interest.

Very interactive place to visit and lot of history on display, look forward to returning very soon....

So much to see. My favorite part is the section with the history of passenger train travel. The volunteers are alway helpful and full of information, but will leave you be to explore on your own if you'd rather. Exhibits for all ages as well. Have been multiple times and it appears they have added much in the last year or so.

Although there are no train cars here (a bummer), the museum contains an interesting history of the Union Pacific Railroad, and lots of UP artifacts. Even a leisurely visit to peruse the artifacts will not take more than a couple of hours. Their is no admission fee but the museum is supported, in part, by donations left by visitors. Not a destination attraction, but if you're in the area and a UP fan, worth the time.

This museum is indoors and has great displays of the Union Pacific and its influence on the establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad. Very interesting. Free to the public with opportunity to donate.

Superb museum in a historic old library with artistic windows and architecture. Fantastic display of memorabilia, with displays of timelines, changing trends, and what it meant to be a passenger or worker then. Some interactive/speaking exhibits, plenty to keep the kids occupied. One of the best rail line museums I've been to. Go and see, this is great.

At the end of my business trip, I had time for only one stop before I hit the airport. I decided to see where the great railroad started to connect the country. My choices were visiting either the very large Durham Museum in Omaha or the small, focused Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs. Based on sheer size and breathe, I made the wrong choice. Nevertheless, the 3 docents I talked with at the Union Pacific Museum made history come alive. Additionally, the building is beautiful, well-maintained, and easy to stroll. Finally, I thought I'd be bored stiff with information about the current rr systems. Surprise-I found it equally as fascinating. The museum is a thoughtful, well done story of one of the big corporations that made this country. In the end, my real regret was not having enough time in metro-Omaha to see more.

We went on a Wednesday. Not many people there. Admission if free, but when you walk in they have a suggested donation box. ($5.00 adults $3.00 kids) The history here is amazing- the pictures and artifacts were incredible. Many of the displays are interactive. Fun for any age- really was cool to find out history if UPRR and how they made it. No food or drink allowed. They are closed Sunday,Monday and Holidays. They are open Tues- Sat 10-4. Staff was great. They do have a very small gift area. We bought a Limited Edition Christmas Ornament for $26.00- I Love it!

If you like trains, you'll love this magnificent museum. The building was originally a Carnegie Library, and is amazing with its vaulted ceilings, leaded glass windows and beautiful craftsmanship. There are seemingly thousands of artifacts -- everything from thumb cuffs used by railroad security officers to menus from a time when dining aboard a train was a 3-star experience. Kids (and most adults) will enjoy the interactive exhibits, including a sort of Wii video game that has participants laying ties and track. Other exhibits let you set off "explosive charges" used to clear the roadbed, have your picture taken with outlaws in the sheriff's car, and operate a pull-and-plug style switchboard. There is almost too much to take in on one visit.

This is an outstanding museum. The interpretation of the artifacts is well presented and easily puts the visitor into the context of the times. I 'went to school' this visit. I will return. It works for families with all ages of kids and adults.

Went here in summer 2016 with family while I was in town. It was very interesting. I just love the history of Council Bluffs, anyway, and the UP is a big part of that and of the history of the expansion of the U.S. If you're a history buff and love trains, this is the museum for you.

Building is beautiful with a well thought out flow of the history of the railroad and the area. The downtown area of Council Bluffs is really nice and inviting with some great new places to eat....

After touring the sights of Council Bluffs; Golden Spike Monument, 1869 Dodge House & 1939 Lincoln Monument, we parked near the 1890 Bayliss fountain and entered the basement of the 1905 Carnegie Library building. This 2003 museum provides an extensive history of building the 1907 mile railroad extending from Council Bluffs to Sacramento. Surveying, grading and laying the 4’ 81/2” gauge track over a land dominated by buffalo, Indigenous tribes and mountains. Further halls showed the expansion over the decades with telegraph, town building, bandits/police, passenger travel with Pullman Cars and fine dining.
This excellent museum ends with descriptions of modern railroad operation and maintenance.

They have done a great job making this interactive. It was very interesting for myself and my son, age 7. I was worried that there wouldn't be enough to entertain him, but he loved it!

we had to book online because of limited visitors during pandemic. it was free and easy . the museum has 3 story and all the display and informations are great .volunteers available answered all our questions and even took pictures of us !

This museum has 3 floors and is interesting for all ages. Kids enjoys the interactive displays and older adults enjoy all of the old time train items they have on display. They have volunteers throughout the museum that are very helpful and friendly.

The museum is housed in a beautiful old building (a former Carnegie Library), but insude I found the exhibits to be up to date and interactive. The museum was interesting and comprehensive. It did a great job of combining computer-based hands-on exhibits, video monitors, and traditional displays.

Many aspects of the RR industry and history were covered--from the basics of how the railroads were built, to how they were used (including some fully recreated dining and travel cars you can sit in) to the current ways in which trains are still used and operated in this country.

The person working at the entrance did not look up from his book when we asked questions, and did not offer any guidance about where to begin our tour. Since the entrance is in a basement area below the street level, we figured out on our own that the displays were up the stairs. I was happy to note that the rest of the people working in the museum were friendly and happy to answer questions and provide information.

This was an interesting museum for all ages. You could see it in as little as an hour, though some could spend much longer there, I am sure. Admission was free, but donations are accepted.

On the first floor, I began with the importance of President Lincoln’s signing of the Pacific Railroad Act on July 1st, 1862. It opened the door to constructing a single line railroad and telegraph system in the eastern terminus of Council Bluffs, IA. It took twenty-five years and 16,000 miles of track construction east of the Mississippi River (not in the west). Interstate 80 follows the transcontinental route for hundreds of miles across the country.
We discovered the history of the Transcontinental Railroad and frontier life of the 1860’s. This is important when you understand that wagon trains took 5-6 months to cross the continent to the Pacific coast. Imagine a 2,000-mile journey with a family of four with a 1,000 pounds of food and livestock!
One of my favorite exhibits involved the Pony Express which was established in April, 1860 in St. Joseph, MO to San Francisco and towns in between. These young riders, not over the age of 18, had to be expert riders weighing less than 125 pounds and be willing to risk their lives for the job. This is why orphans were preferred. It is said that they could cover 2,000 miles in 8-10 days making their ride two weeks faster than a stagecoach!
My second favorite section of the museum reported how the glamour of rail travel gave the start of resorts like that in Sun Valley, Idaho and streamlined trains. To learn how movie stars used the train for travel or the history of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (African American porters) was a wonderful lesson with great displays.
This was such a great museum to visit that I had to go back a second time!

A very charming and informative museum. We had a few hours to spare and are very please that we stumbled onto it. The docents are friendly and full of good information.

I am somewhat of a railroad buff so this was a great place to see. It has been a while and I forgot what we paid to get in. If your in Council Bluffs or Omaha area looking for something to do this could be it.

Very interesting place to visit. 3 yr old son loved the interactions with train stuff. Learned a lot about trains and Union Pacific specifically. Very informative about history of railroad

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is located in the former Free Public Library (built by money donated by A. Carnegie). One floor shows the history of the railroad in the US in general and of the transcontinentinal railroad in particular. All aspects of building and operating a railroad are presented in an attractive manner. The other floor shows the bygone era of large scale travel by train in the US: how it was, the convenience and luxury of train travel. The story is told in relation to the developing society, including tourism. There is only one conclusion: what a great history and what a great museum.

UP Railroad museum was amazing. Not only does the museum tell the story of the Union Pacific Railroad, it also has a good number of hands on exhibits including an actual cab control stand from a locomotive which is used as a simulator that shows the operation of a locomotive and shows positive train control operations. If you are more into the historical aspects, they include many artifacts from President Lincoln’s personal rail car which was operated by Union Pacific. And if you are into the streamliner passenger era, they have artifacts from that too.

The union pacific railroad museum is indeed a hidden gem in Council Bluffs. If you want to know the history of union pacific railroad, and like railroad exhibits--this is the place you will want to visit. You can sit in the engineers seat & see what it would be like to drive a train. They really did a great job in making a railroad museum of the union pacific railroad. Would recommend if you are a train enthusiast. By the way--there is no charge--enjoy.

The large display of railroad paraphernalia is incredible. There are large displays of old lanterns and firearms. Interactive displays for the kids. Good place.

I 'grew up" in the old library now occupied by the museum and so it is good to see what a great use it has been put to. One floor of the museum is history and one floor is rail technology over the years. If you have any interest at all in railroads, this museum is fantastic!

This museum is well laid-out, you could spend half a day reading and gleaning knowledge about the "birth" of the American railroad as well as its modern-day functions - however, we had two children 8 & 2, and this was not the type of attraction they enjoyed - there is very little in the "hands-on" realm for children. We rushed through in about 45 minutes, but would have spent much more time had it just been my husband and myself.

It is a fun place to visit with children and your family. The old trains are fun and interesting. It is by railroad tracks.

Great for kids under the age of 8 or so but otherwise, not really anything all that special. Varied hours of operation, you'll be lucky to find it open we had to go back a couple times til we found it open, though I think it's just volunteer seniors that open the place so can't fault them for that.

Attended with my senior citizen mother and teenage son. We all found it interesting and enough interactive displays to keep young ones engaged. Staff very helpful and informed. Especially nice that all this was free, although there was a donation case to which we were more than pleased to contribute

Directly next door to the squirrel cage jail in Council Bluffs is the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. The museum is housed in a former Carnegie Library building. The building is magnificent.

The displays and information in the U.P. museum are very nice. There is a fair amount of interactive displays that will keep the kids happy so families with children shouldn't hesitate to visit here. The museum is free to the public, and they accept donations to help defray the cost. Overall this was a nice Museum to visit, I would return if I had friends with me that had never been there before.

Short visit, very interesting, staff very helpful and friendly. Lots of interactive features, very well presented.

Looking for a place to rake your kids or grandkids? THIS IS iT!
This museum has plenty to do and see, and if you, or someone you love is into trains, you are bound to find lots here to enjoy. From history, to fiction; from yesterday to today --hop on board!

I was a Telegrapher Clerk Towerman for Southern Pacific Railroad in the 60s. I enjoyed the MP history. For a free admission this was pretty good, but I would have loved to have seen even more equipment.

What a great place. I've lived in Omaha all my life and never visited before. Located in a beautiful building, the displays are wonderful and very informative. Some nice technology to tell the stories. From the history of building the transcontinental railroad to the modern day Union Pacific, it brings to life the significance the railroad has played in the development of the western United States.

We enjoyed our one hour tour of the museum. Two floors of exhibits. You can take the stairs or elevator. Staff was knowledgeable of any questions we had. Free which would be nice if you have a family and planned on touring. Closed Sunday's, Monday's and holidays, hours 10-4pm.

A must-see for train enthusiasts. The exhibit areas are well done, with a fine mix of static and interactive displays. My train-loving son absolutely loved it. The museum devotes space to the transcontinental railway as well as the evolution of passenger travel in the twentieth century.

This is housed in a former Carnegie library, lots of great railroad memorabilia. Enjoy the city park next door. Look for the unique to Council Bluffs black squirrels.

This a great way to spend a few hours, very educational, and wonderful for children too. No entrance fee, donations accepted

Enjoyed the museum. If you get a chance to talk to the Museum Collections Manager, Patricia LaBounty, do so - she is incredibly knowledgeable and an interesting/engaging speaker.

This is without doubt a museum that every train buff needs to visit. The union Pacific have done an outstanding job of collecting and presenting the history of this historic railway.

Located in downtown, take your time send at least two hours and see what life was like when travel by train was the way to go.

On a note of caution, there is no parking lot for the museum, There is metered parking on the street in front. The cost is 50 cents per hour with a two hour time limit.

If you go to Omaha, this is a nice trip worth to take. Small nice building a bit aside of touristy areas, but very sensibly arranged and interesting. So friendly staff!! It is free, you can make donation

We really enjoyed our visit to this museum and we are NOT train buffs but we did enjoy this museum. It's right next door to the Squirrel Cage Jail and we had just been there so we thought 'why not' go to this museum too. It is in the former Public Library Building and that building alone was beautiful with all the wood and inlaid tile floors. The museum is two stories, had a LOT of railroad artifacts, as well as Abraham Lincoln stuff and we thought it was very well laid out with plenty of room to see everything and not feel cramped. Definitely a must see if you are a train buff and it's free too.

A very interesting study museum. New throughout with interactive exhibits that would be great for kids. Very friendly and encouraging, well informed staff. I was impressed at the details included in the exhibits particularly about the westward expansion and early railroading. Recommended for school children studying the expansion of the country through the eyes of a railroader. No actual trains however. Easy to find, ample parking.

When I went there it was very interesting and very informative. They told all the history about the Union Pacific and how they developed throughout the years and decades. I would definitely recommend that place and because it's free and it's worthwhile.

This museum was a little hard to find and parking was a problem, but we enjoyed it once we were inside. It had a lot of old firearms and the contents of Lincoln's funeral car plus some items Lincoln had donated from his law office. We had heard about it at the Visitors' Center in Omaha and came over after seeing the Durham Museum. I don't think small children would like it.

Popped in while on business in Omaha.
Parking is plentiful, and curbside meters are cheap.
Once you enter the building you are tackled by the museum volunteers. Usually made up of retired railroad workers and family, they are super in-the-know.
Exhibits are laid out logically, and are very informative. I especially enjoyed the exhibit showing the close relationship between the railroad and the National Parks in the 30's & 40's.
Already looking forward to going back.

A great uncle suggested we visit this wonderful museum. It was very easy to get to and we parked right out front. Enter on the lower level and find yourself in great displays of train/tracks/whistles/and history. The displays are well organized and there are local guides throughout the museum that will answer all sorts of questions. The nostalgic train car was set for dinning and brought back many memories of travel in the 50's. We spent about 1.5 hours and felt that we saw everything and were very pleased. Thanks

This a great museum for railroad enthusiasts and history lovers. I loved the direction arrows that helped you find the start and flow through the exhibits in a way that made sense.

Beyond learning about Council Bluffs role in history and the Union Pacific, the museum has great architectural features.

The museum is free but suggests a $15 donation. It is worth the donation.

My only issue with this museum is that we did not allocate enough time to adequately explore all the fabulous exhibits!

The museum will take you 1 and half to 2 and half hours. It is very educational and offers lots of artifacts and reminders of how important the railroad connection to the Pacific actually was.

One trip thru this old museum and you too will value the old ays fo the union pacific railroad. Glad I stopped by.

This museum was educational and interesting. However, I felt intimidated by one staff member who made it clear by her demeanor and comments to colleagues that our children weren't welcome. It's sad that a museum about trains, a subject loved by most little boys, couldn't be more friendly toward curious young minds. Our group was respectful and well-behaved- I felt like I was intruding by visiting.

This museum gives a lot of history on how the West was settled from Omaha onward West. A favorite of the kids was the cab of the locomotive, all wanted to be the engineer.

We visited the Union Pacific Railroad Museum because the weather was really cold and we needed an indoor activity. All three of my children thoroughly enjoyed it. I really had a great time also. You can't beat the quality of this museum for the fact that it is virtually free. (Donation suggested) the guides were helpful and extremely knowledgable. Would return again!

Not huge by any means but a nice little attraction for those who like trains. Daughter loved it, hopefully we will be back in a year or so!

My kids and I have visited this museum nearly every year. Some of the exhibits changes every year, but most stay the same. That is not to say that the exhibits that stay the same throughout the years do not hold appeal. The real trains, real trolley and other authentic exhibits are a must every single time.

This was a donation only museum and was very interesting for the whole family. A great deal of President Lincoln history as well as history on the trains movement west. Nice stop... plan for about 1.5 - 2 hours.

The Museum is located in the old Council Bluffs, IA library building centrally located in the heart of downtown Council Bluffs. Parking is easy to find. There is no formal admission but a donations box. The museum is 3 floors of displays, many of which are interactively educational for kids and fun for adults. Some are pretty sophisticated with "Wei" technology and motion sensors. The Museum not only tells the story of the Transcontinental Railroad and the history of the Union Pacific Railroad, but also the development of railroad technology, and how railroads work to move people and freight. A great place to take school age kids and adults alike for a minimum of money. History buffs will also enjoy the "story of the West" through the railroad perspective. Well worth seeing.

It is a great old building, very family friendly. The trains are in awesome condition and they have a nice variety

Union Pacific Railroad museum was a great find for a day outing in Council Bluffs. The staff was great and the exhibits especially the train simulator was fantastic for the young one.

Today, my husband and I and three of our children stopped at this museum during a break we had from our sons baseball tournament. Even though we only had an hour, it was worthwhile. My children are 9, 7, & 4 and didn't want to go. Once inside, they were pleasantly surprised. All 3 of my children as well as my husband and I really enjoyed the museum. It's very clean, exhibits are well done, and very educational. The volunteers are helpful and happy to answer questions. Thank you to all who volunteer time and donations to keep this piece of history alive!

this facility is housed in the old Carnegi Public library in Council Bluffs - free admission - open Tuesday - Saturday 10-4 - learn about the transcontinental railroad, passenger experiences, see artifacts from when President Lincoln rode the railroad -

Our boys (ages 6, 8, 10, 14) absolutely loved this place. The Carnegie building inside and out is amazing if you're into architecture. The displays were interactive, high tech and memorable! So glad we stopped here while traveling from Des Moines to Denver.

The museum was interesting and had very interesting information on President Lincoln that I had not known before my visit. There were interactive aspects for children and it did give information from the beginning to present. I was a little disappointed there were not real trains to explore, but then space did not allow for that.

Driving south on Highway 29 in Iowa yesterday (Tuesday) we saw a huge Billboard advertising the UP Railroad Museum, and since I love trains we thought it would be a great place to visit. Turns out it's only open Thursday through Saturday, and only to groups of 10, and only if you make a booking 2 weeks in advance. Great way to promote your museum, just don't try an unplanned visit in the middle of a road trip,

This is a wonderful museum with many hands on interactive exhibits to learn more about the history of the railroad and westward expansion. It has so much information; we spent a couple hours and could have learned more, but it was the second tour we did on the same day and we were getting tired from standing for hours. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and recommend it for all ages.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is good for the entire family. They have interactive exhibits to keep the kids occupied and very interesting exhibits about the building of the transcontinental railroad. Train simulator is cool!

Well kept museum that has lots of hands on activities for kids and adults alike. Staffed by volunteers that are very willing to answer questions. We really enjoyed the dining items, old menus and pricing for the dining trains and the President Lincoln items. I would recommend it to families. The grandparent's enjoyed it the most :) $3.00 recommended donation which was well worth it.

This museum is totally hands-on, modern, and exciting for kids! I took 9 and 12 year old kids who can't keep their hands off of anything. There were 3 levels of "please touch" and "try it out" displays and interactive activities. The actual train parts and memorabilia was really neat to see, and displayed in a way that was exciting and interesting. I wish we would have had more time! We could have spent more time here, but we were just passing through town. I would definitely return here and bring the kids again. OH, did I mention that it was FREE!! There is a donation box at the front, so be generous. This is a great activity and very well done!!

Trains are not my thing, but I did enjoy looking at all of the architecture of this former Carnegie Library. Absolutely gorgeous!

Three floors are filled with memorabilia, artifacts and history relating to the Union Pacific Railroad. There are some interactive things for kiddos as well.

Volunteers are stationed on each floor who provide additional info. Well done museum.

Free to go in, donations are happily accepted!

Museum is housed in the former public library building. The building itself is stunning. The renovation to make it the Union Pacific was awesome. Small gift shop. First floor has old train information. Interesting information regarding President Lincoln and accompanying artifacts. Upstairs had interactive children displays. Really awesome. One was an opportunity to explode dynamite. Children can push down the handle and the dynamite explodes with flashing lights and noise from the rocks. Very well designed.
Was a great museum. Kuddos Union Pacific!

It was interesting, and relevant to the area. Staff were helpful and friendly. It is usually quiet, unless invaded by schoolkids!! Handicapped accessible.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is a great stop if you're in Council Bluffs for a vacation or if you live here and have never visited!

Great museum and building. Displays are very well done and interactive. Could easily spend 1/2 day, but make sure the little ones bellies are full otherwise they may get tired. Ample staff and well taken care of facility. Located downtown so close to food and shops.

We took a group of students to the Union Pacific Museum for Summer Exploration. The students loved the many exhibits and the hands on things to do there. The staff took time to explain the historical information to the students and added a plethora of exciting information that held students' attention. I highly recommend this beautiful muesum, housed in what was formally the Council Bluffs Public Library.

This museum is in the old library building in downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa. Really nice displays for railroad buffs and this is all about the Union Pacific Railroad and history in the area. Not as many displays of cars, trains, and cabooses but overall it was entertaining for morning. UP could do so much more. Friendly staff and great old buildings.

The UP Museum in Council Bluffs is a wonderful museum housed in a lovingly restored Carnegie Library building. State of the art exhibits, including "talking" General Dodge portraits, a train simulator, and a large display of dining car memorabilia including custom designed china patterns are just a few of the highlights. Located opposite the beautifully renovated Bayliss Park, and in close proximity to other historic attractions, this is a must see!

We enjoyed visiting the Union Pacific museum and learned a lot. I knew the basics about the building of the transcontinental railroad but not the details. I definitely didn't know that the eastern terminus was in Council Bluffs.

I stopped by with my parents since we were close by and had 45 minutes to kill. The museum has a lot of cool interactive exhibits. This would be a great museum to take your kids to. We could have easily spent 2-3 hours here. There are volunteers that walk around and share their knowledge with you. They don't charge an admission fee, however they suggest a $3 donation per person. It is well worth it!

Even if you're not into trains, you will probably enjoy the history that's represented here as well as the overall atmosphere. And it's free! just leave a nice donation to help keep it going.

you can actually go into some of the trains, there was a lot of good information and a variety of things to see.

Several roads in the area were closed and it took a while to find, but we were glad we did. This museum, housed in the old Carnegie Library, has wonderful, interactive displays. An audio device to explain the exhibits is available (also at no cost). We spent several hours there.

Took my 2 year old grandson who loves trains and he had a great time. There were a lot of exhibits he could touch and climb on.

My wife and I took three of our grandchildren to visit this museum on the first Friday evening of May. The museum was having a free, open house for children. Our grandchildren are ages 8,6, and 4, and there were lots of activities to engage the children, in addition to the sights of the museum. The grandchildren particularly enjoyed Anthony the Balloon Man. He was most personable with the children, and his very speedy creation of objects made of twisted balloons was a delight to view. The museum staff was very intent on helping the children feel welcome, on promoting the many exhibits in the museum, and on emphasizing the link between Union Pacific and some of the national parks. I might add that the museum is in what appears to be a former, classic Carnegie library, and if you like architecture, it is worth a visit, just to view the building. We will return, again!!

This is different from most railroad museum; there are no real engines or train cars. This museum focuses on the history of the railroading industry and the current methods used by Union Pacific to move cargo around the country. There is a train simulator that is fun for kids (you get to be the engineer as your train passes through different scenes). Definitely worth a stop. It is free, but there is a suggested donation.

Very interesting (free) exhibit. They have a lot of items connecting President Abraham Lincoln and General Grenville Dodge, the builder of the Union Pacific Railroad, Some of the interactive exhibits need to work better. Interesting for all ages.

This museum is on your must list if you are going thru Council Bluff's, IA. Very nicely done inside but I knocked it down a star because it is very small as it is part of an old awesome Library building. It houses some cool stuff that belonged to Abaham Lincoln. Oh, and it is FREE so you can't beat that.
We saw a large black squirrel on the grounds and they are known for the black squirrel.

We took our son for an outing because his school got out early,We had been lots of times before but they have tweaked it some. They have carry around info now,ours was not charged, but a very nice lady brought us fresh ones,Thank You again! We had some problems / the interactive cowboy setup they had,but will try another time. My son got his picture taken/a couple of cowboy dummies + sent the Pix home by email,he luved that! A very nice gentleman gave us all kinds of interesting info! Thank you! Was a pleasant adventure! A great spot for a hot summer day! Luv the building! So glad they did not tear it down as they have so many great historical places in C.B.

This place was free, well staffed with volunteers, clean, with a great bunch of history and enough to keep me and my 3 year old interested but not overwhelmed.

Great up to date museum. We enjoyed our time there..... Was suprised something of this quality existed locally. Were taking our grandparents here when they come over the summer. Free admission with donation.

Free! Super interactive exhibits. Great history for adults and kids. Council Bluffs is a real mid west city.

Educational nice place for a free family outing. donate what you can afford. Friendly staff. very interesting items

We rally enjoyed this museum, loved talking to a gentleman who used to work in the railroads, he was just full of history and interesting facts

This is a nice museum about Union Pacific RR that is child friendly. Interactive activities for the kids that they enjoy

We were looking to kill some time and landed here. Excellent! We loved it! The exhibits were captivating and educational. The volunteer staff was especially helpful and friendly. The quality of the museum was "top-drawer"!

The museum gives great detail about the history of the railroad in the west. The only downside is that there are no trains to see here, but everything else is great.

Caring staff and volunteers. Some even play the part in a step back in time. Be sure to ask them what it is like to live day-to-day and how they make a living. Updated exhibits. Important history to the local area. Railroad buffs, locals, and visitors will appreciate this effort in the old Carnegie library. Try driving a train in the simulator. Younger folks (<10 y/o) probably won't appreciate the museum as much.

Great No admission charge a plus. Meter Parking free on Saturday and Sunday. A great history lesson how the Union Pacific made the way out west. Some interactive displays always cool. Wonderful gift shop, Workers very friendly and knowledgeable at least the ones that were there that day. 3 floors that includes gift shop on first one and displays on the other 2. A good time for family

Great trip. We arrived at approximately 4 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the museum. Admission into the museum was free, and we were given a quick introduction to the layout of the museum. The museum consisted of two floors full of informational plaques, detailing the history of the railroad and the manpower that goes into maintaining it, each and every day. There were also artifacts out for display, that showcased the different parts the railroad is constructed from. There were some hands on displays, as well as interactive exhibits that provided more of an insight into the history of the railroads. The exhibits were very nicely done and very informative.

Tip: I recommend spending 3.5 hours here if you truly want to see everything.

We made a slight detour to stop here as they were open. My husband loved it but I was less impressed. Not enough hands on for me and not many exhibits. Felt it lacking something (or I was just tired). Would be great rainy day activity. Housed in the old library, the architecture is impressive. Only open Thur-Sat though

There are a lot of interactive displays at the UPRM, which makes it fun for the kids. I have not been there since it has become free and UP bought it, so it is probably even better now!

Very interesting on the history of the train! Great for kids -has hands on for the kiddo's -as well as adults! And Its FREE!

This was our first stop and it was a highlight of the trip. Lots of great exhibits chronicle the history of Union Pacific. Highly recommended for train buffs and non-railroad enthusiasts too.

Very nice place to visit. This should be a mandatory for any school for a field trip it teaches the children a lot about how the country was created in the sacrifices that were made bring transportation across the country.

This is an excellent museum and if you like trains and western U.S. history there is a lot to see. The exhibits are excellent and the docents knowledgeable.

Nicely done. Areas for kids to climb around. Educational and artistically presented. Historically presented on railroad's importance to the area.

There were interactive displays and lots of exhibits that I'm sure I would have enjoyed more without keeping track of my 5 year old grandson. It appeared the museum had a great volunteer staff.

I had to make a quick trip over across the Missouri River to council bluffs and I just wanted to see the museum. I will put it on my list of things to do on my next return to Iowa. Now back across the river to Omaha Nebraska, get to the airport on time.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this trip and everyone in Omaha and Iowa that you meet are so Nice to connect with. There are really neat people out here and I don't know what the rest of the country is thinking about.

This is full of historical artifacts and information. Many of the things you can get very close to and some you can even touch.

Me and a good friend met at the museum for a homeschool field trip. She has 5 children and I have 6. From the minute we walked in until the minute we left, the entire staff was very rude about our children. The museum has many interactive things for the children but the children were scared to even touch them in fear of being yelled at by the staff. Our children are very well behaved and are well versed in the art of museums. When the teens would wander to read signs, we were asked to bring them back and have adult supervision on them. We were actually told to stay in a tight group because they feared us breaking things. On the way out, a small child left a toy so we sent a teen to find it. As she was leaving the floor, a very rude staff member said, Your group already left, I suggest you do the same. We won't be back and I plan to tell every homeschool family I know not to go there. The children were learning so much and it's sad that it was ruined by stereotypes.

We went to the UNION Pacific Museum for the family night and even took grandpa! It was a hit for the kids as well as grandpa. It’s a nice set up if you have a challenge with stairs they have an elevator...there are three floors very informative and the kids enjoyed the family night activities as well. Great for a rainy or hot day indoor activity with a history lesson added. Who doesn’t like trains!y

Our entire family from teens through geros thoroughly enjoyed the massive display and history about the Union Pacific Co. The museum is located in a historic area of Omaha that has many other interesting attractions and resturants nearby.

This Museum is a must visit for history buffs. It house the original contents of Abe Lincolns Train Car and the volunteers are very informative & helpful.

My husband and I loved this museum. The preserved Carnegie Library is a testament to what makes our country great.
The exhibits are incredible and make me proud of my family and friends who were railroad employees. The wide range of exhibits will thrill and educate every age. I enjoyed it so much.
The docents are knowledgeable and helpful. They made the museum come alive.
Thanks for preserving and presenting this intregral part of our nation's history. This is a must see for anyone in the area!

It's been a few years but I wouldn't think this would be interesting to children. The only thing that might be somewhat interesting was the simulator. If you've been to railroad or transportation museums in other cities, I think you would find this disappointing.

This museum is in one of the old Carnegie libraries. It is well organized and worth an hour of your time. Kids will love it. There are many interactive exhibits, and the history of the railroads is succinct and fun to read. There are real dining and sleeper cars and a replica of the car Abraham Lincoln had built to travel in while in office, complete with some of his personal effects, it was killed before being able to use it. The top floor of the museum is more educational about modern train technology. There are several guides available to answer any questions or to tell you fun facts.

The museum is in a beautiful Carnegie Library building. I found the top floor display of rail travel and all the "stuff" extremely interesting.

I didn't know much about the railroad history so I found this fascinating. There is another very nice display at the Welcome Center. I came to Council Bluffs to stay while visiting Omaha and found so much to do in Council Bluffs. I had no idea of the history of that river community. Going to a museum isn't everyone's cup of tea and usually not mine but I am glad I went there. By the way, my 11 year old grandson was with me and he found this museum interesting!!

A fabulous museum. Much more impressive than I expected. Very well done with just the right amount of hands on learning and historical facts. Highlights the importance of the railroad to settling and transforming the west.

This is the spot if you love trains. A great place to amaze your grandson with the size of the trains close up.

A free museum located in the downtown Council Bluffs area. Must park along in the meters along the street, but was able to find those without too much trouble. Museum is great for kids with the interactive exhibits and great for adults with all of the information about the Union Pacific railroad.

We spent a good deal of time on this trip looking at trains, and this museum gave us yet another perspective. Located in a Carnegie Library building, the museum honors President Lincoln's contribution to building the transcontinental railroad as well as the difficulties involved in the actual labor. Beyond the history, there are exhibits about track monitoring and restoration. There is a photo gallery showing famous rail passengers from Hollywood's golden age. There is only two hour parking next to the museum, but ten hour parking is available on the other side of Bayliss Park.

This museum is a 'must do' destination. The staff was very friendly, and a couple of the men were retired railroaders. We spent three hours here after originally planning to spend one hour. The exhibits are very interesting and well laid out. Union Pacific can be very proud of this outstanding museum.

Very cool, interesting and educational place. Historically accurate with neat things to look at. As an adult I had fun so I can't imagine what a child would think about it. Very good place.

For lovers of transportation, railroads and history, this is a gem to see! Located in the former Carnegie Library, this free exhibit explores Union Pacific-- and indirectly all American railroads -- in its relationship to the growth of our nation (promote national parks, standard time, community growth) and the influence in the way we live today. Touch screen technology and interactive displays helps draw attention to the role railroads overall play today. Come aboard!

Museum is established in renovated Carnegie Library in Council Bluffs. Free admission. See a glimpse of the history of the western settlement. Many, many historical artifacts and interactive displays.

what an interesting venue you should take your little ones here as well. Super friendly employees who seem to enjoy talking about the venue

This museum, occupying three floors in all, focuses on telling the story of the construction and operation of the Union Pacific Railroad, and has numerous displays that take the visitor back to the days when rail was the preferred way to travel across America. I found the exhibit on Pullman cars and their porters to be most informative.

Great insight into the Union Pacific's drive for the west and the making of the Transcontinental Railway. A must visit for all rail fans.
It is not entirely devoted to railways and offers good information about the Council Bluffs area.

This is a really neat local museum. There is no admission charge but they ask for a donation. The museum features two floors. the first floor is mostly about the role that the Union Pacific played in the transcontinental railroad. The second floor is more about the history of the Union Pacific railroad. We spent a couple hours and really enjoyed our time at the museum.

Somehow from our reading, we thought there was going to be actual trains in a train yard at this location, but there are none. There are some just up the street, though, but separate hours of opening and not run by this same group. Thus museum is interesting and there are many hands on things for kids. A few things weren't working the day of our visit. There are volunteers on every floor and they are quite helpful and enthusiastic about the museum and contents. Be sure to use restroom on the bottom floor where you enter as there are no other restrooms on any other floor. A bit odd, but we had a volunteer tell us this at least upon entry.

Fantastic educational museum. Very well organized and loaded with interactive displays. One of the best RR museums in the country. Tells the history of one of the most important and transforming events in American history. Great museum to stop at if you are traveling east or west across the country. Give yourself 2-3 hours to realty take in the displays etc.

The museum is not as large as I thought it would be, no locomotives or train cars sitting outside, but inside it is a gem. Very good display of items related to Pres Lincoln and the building of the transcontential railroad. Second floor has more railroad information, including a chance to sit in the cab and run some of the rail lines.

The docents are top notch, one I meet was a former park ranger, another had been an engineer and all loved the railroads.

Free but a donation is requested.

WOW is all I have to say. This place is amazing. The kids loved all the interactive activities and then just getting to know the history of america's backbone in the railroad system was pretty cool.

Got to go back in time with all the railroad history. There are always volunteers to tell you about the past and to answer any historical questions. Best of all, It is free.

We have visited the UP Museum multiple times with our now 5 year old. We all enjoy the museum. There is a lot to see (you probably can't soak it all in with one visit). And the museum regularly has special events that make visits even more fun.

We have been hearing all day we want to see trains. So to the museum we came. Very very cool place. Free to enter just pay the meter for parking. Very informative and fun. Lots of things to learn.

Great museum! We loved it! It's great for children because it's interactive. There are very informative volunteers on each level. Highly recommend since it's the original, where the Union Pacific began!

I visited Omaha by coincidence just after finishing the Hell on Wheels tv series about building the Union Pacific. It was a ton of fun to see how much of the series was fact based (more than I thought!). There were a few interactive areas my tweens enjoyed, to their surprise, and the exhibits were very informative. The museum is “free” but the suggested donation is strongly suggested, something we hadn’t realized until we arrived there via an Uber. We didn’t have cash on us, so we really did tour for free, but the staff’s disappointment made it clear the cash donation was expected so we felt bad. I wish they had been set up to take a debit card and just charged admittance because the museum is worth a paid visit. Avoid a faux pas and bring cash to “mandatory donate.” You will not regret a visit to this lovely museum.

This place was breathtaking, amazing, and fun. The train exhibits were my fave but all was interesting and fun to explore. The soda shop was a treat at end of our visit. Must go for anyone whether single. Couples or families.

The UP railroad Museum was a wonderful way to spend 90 minutes after visiting the Squirrel Cage. Volunteer staff were friendly and helpful. The museum collection was well organized, with just the right size layout to illuminate without overwhelming. I especially enjoyed looking at the stereoscopic photos of RR construction in the 1860's and seeing the many hardships people endured as well as the beautiful countryside.

This museum is a local American treasure. So glad we stumbled into it.

We went on a very short casino trip to the area. Looking for things to do during the day and ended up at the UP museum not knowing what to expect. The building was originally a Carnegie library. that alone was worth the visit for me. beautifully restored!!!!! Then we learned about the history of the railroad - which neither of us had really known much about. Such wonderful docents/assistants in the museum really helped bring the history alive. Lovely.

Great place to visit past memoribelia, fun,interactive games, for history buffs, and current railroad and local bike trail enthusiasts. Loved the info on passenger travel on the trains, especially to the National Parks and Omaha. Loved it! Donate as you go in the museum . Very much worth your time.

Wow, do I feel cheated. Evidently you should not go on a thursday afternoon in October as there was only one woman seated in a chair who told us to start one one side and the exhibits would follow around. There were no other people around and when we got around the floor the woman was no longer sitting there (1/2 hour before closing) so we left. No signs or people to tell us there was another floor of exhibits.
Yes it is my fault to a degree but I''m used to exhibits with people to help and signage that is clear. What I saw was well organized.

The museum is fine but I feel there should be more. The section on passenger train could talk about the history of each UP train, not just an overview. The gift show is small with a very limited selection. Overall it worth a visit but you're left wanting more.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum is a little known secret in Council Bluffs. It traces the history of the UP development and the role it played in opening up the west. There are also exhibits on passenger train travel through the years complete with a dinning car set for dinner. Another part of the museum explains how trains are kept track of and you can even sit in the "engineer's" seat and see what it would be like to drive a train. We have visited this several times with out of town guests and enjoy it each time. Our guests are surprised the how comprehensive the museum is and the quality of the exhibits.

Museum is free will donation, and features a combination of remote and recent rail history including hands on interactive items that interest kiddos. They also feature a nice collection of rail china, and displays honoring women's roles and contributions over time.
Be sure to check hours of operation before planning your visit. Also, the area has a lot of one ways!

This was a really fun little museum. There are 2 stories worth of attractions with actual Union Pacific artifacts. This would be a great place to bring kids or to just browse by yourself.

It is so well interpreted that everyone in our group found it interesting and educational. Few museums are so modern, so friendly to all ages, and interests. I would recommend this FREE museum to any group.

Exhibits change frequently that I always find it interesting. The gift shop and soda fountain/candy shop are great fun. Take time to appreciate the art deco design and take a view of the murals in the meeting room near the soda fountain shop. The trains are nostalgic and great for kids to climb aboard.

Very nice museum that tells the background of the Union Pacific Railroad. Lots of artifacts from the past and how they used dynamite to get thru the mountains to meet up with the Western Pacific in Utah. Simulators so you can see what it's like to be an Engineer. Free Will Donations. A must see for all train buffs.

Very interesting museum! My family all enjoyed learning about the UP railroad - something for all the kids, 4, 9 & 16. Very interactive and informative. Multi-levels filled with stuff you probably didn't know about the railroad. And it's free so you can't beat that!
We walked over to the museum after visiting the Pottawatomie squirrel cage jail, which are practically right next to each other - so very convenient to visit 2 very interesting places in one shot. I highly recommend seeing both places and hope to visit again :)

Audio guided tour but also a very kid friendly museum. Hey, it's free and just across the street from the Squirrel Cage Jail - a MUST see...

This railroad museum is free to go through. Good will donations. Very nice. Would recommend it to all !!!!!

Very informative! Too much reading for my toddler! But interactive enough to hold her interest. I hope to return to read more of the information.

I never thought this place would be as cool as it was. The admission was free with a donation when we went and it was worth every bit of my $5 donation. We happened to go on a day when train nerds were there with their models, but I guess that added to it in a way because it showed other people's passions revolved around this place. It really explains how the Omaha metro began and it's cool to know this place started through capitalism and greedy railway tycoons.

Visited with a friend and her little ones for the Lego exhibit. It was boring and little for the kiddos to do besides stare at large Lego structures. For a free something to do on a rainy day it was ok. Lots of stairs to visit the train and with a stroller and toddler no fun!

Stopped by museum because my son loves trains. Never realized how much history the area has tied to the railroad. There is some nice interactive exhibits there. It was interesting to see how much goes into the current railroad system. Recommend Visiting.

Located in an historic building downtown. Opened at 10. You enter in the lower level which has restrooms, small gift shop, and a reception area. You can sign the guest book and visit with volunteers. It is free will donation, we donated as we thought it was great. There are both stairs and elevator. Two more levels of exhibits. You could see some railroad history, the interior of several different railroad cars, along with memorabilia like dishes and uniforms. There is an interactive area for kids also with a simulator and different activities. We spent a couple hours here and we all enjoyed ourselves. My kids are ages 10 and 12.

First: the museum is only open Thursday- Saturday from 10-4. And it is free. When you walk in it's not impressive, but it gets better. Lots of information for adults and things to do for kids. There is a train simulator, you can take free pictures of you posing, blow up dynamite (simulation) or work on the railroad (animated). Our kids loved it .,

This was a pleasant surprise. It is a very high quality museum. It is free and is very extensive. It has fabulous exhibits and tells a very interesting story of the famous history of the transcontinental railroad, which started here.

So much about the real Road originated in Council Bluffs for the railroad including the transcontinental railroad. Located in the former library of the city, you will be able to spend hours understanding the history of the railroad and how efficiently it is run today.

Good reminder of the role railroads played in developing the United States after the Civil War. Brought back childhood memories of riding trains.

This is a very nice small museum that depicts how the railroad helped twin the west and settle this great country of ours

This UP Railroad Museum is housed in a former Carnegie Library and has such a diverse, interactive, tech savvy array of displays, there is something to please everyone there. We loved blowing up the dynamite, checking out all the vintage rail car displays and using the interactive maps that provided so much information. All ages will enjoy!

This is a must visit for locals or travelers. Highlights of various history events. The interactive train engine ride is a hoot.

Nice museum on the history of railroad and Council Bluffs. Mockup of locomotive cab and a lot of older items on display

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, IA is a "must see" railroad museum in the Midwest. You will learn about the Transcontinental Railroad, passenger service of the Union Pacific, and the modern railroad today. It is interesting, informative, and has interactive displays. Great museum for both children and adults. Donations accepted, because the museum is free! There is a charge for tours.

A very wonderful museum that had a lot of hands on and education about the Union Pacific Railroad. We loved it. I would recommend this museum to any train loving kiddos!

great museum been here twice. from the east coast I know all about the Pennsylvania RR, moved to KC now learning about the Union Pacific RR. this is a fantastic museum full of artifacts. history past to present. love the exhibit and movies on traveling out west. dinning car was amazing. great spot if you like trains. stop by well worth it. also next door is the local round jail. another interesting site. UP friendly staff, free leave a donation small gift shop. support local

My family of seven was looking for something to do while on vacation in Omaha and found this. We were not disappointed and the price can't be beat. The museum has something for everyone. The train display the younger kids enjoyed. Kids struggled getting kinect to work. Educational and fun.

Hand on exhibits, and real past of railroad history are gathered in one place. I loved the assimilation, it is a great museum.

You'll want to visit this museum if 1) you have an appreciation for trains, and 2) you want to know more about the area. It is housed in the old Carnegie library so the building is very unique. There are some very well done exhibits. They have been improving some. They often have step-back-in-time characters on hand - feel free to ask them questions about their life "back then." Though there is no fee, please consider a donation to the effort.

Took my grandson here the other day. Been here once before and this place is always an eye opener to the history of trains. Staff is very friendly and always willing to tell you a bit more about the railroad and it's history. Plenty of hands-on experiences for the kids so thats great in itself. There is no admission price but a suggested fee if you choose to support the museum which for what's in the museum, i'd like to keep it going.

Interested in railroads, history and the transcontinental railroad? Then visit the UPRR Museum in Council Bluffs, IA. Your assignment first is to read the late Stephen Ambrose's book "Nothing Like it in the World." The displays will mean more with this book under your belt. The book by the way is an excellent read for the serious railfan even if you cannot visit the museum.
Lanterns, weapons, clocks, watches, dining car china, simulated passenger train accommodations, simulated depot office and lots lots more professionally displayed in an excellently restored Carnegie Library building.
The only piece of rolling stock on the site is an excellently restored UP Fairmont S2 motorcar outside the building. This museum is not a bunch of rotting old rolling stock in a field, as many railroad museums are. Rather it is a serious indoor museum for the student of the transcontinental railroad's construction. The displays are presented so that kids will find interesting stuff too and will not get bored.
Do yourself a favor and visit the museum. FREE admission but they do ask for a donation as you leave.