Explore Railroad
History!
Located in historic downtown Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the Missouri River, we're a great place for friends and family to come and learn about the Union Pacific Railroad.
Directions200 Pearl St, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Museum Information
Free, Self-Guided General Admission
The museum is open:
Thursday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Planning your visit? Download our app, MuseumStars! Available in the App Store and Google Play Store!
Once downloaded, search 'Union Pacific Railroad Museum' to access our virtual tours and activities!
Visitor Reviews

"Keep up the good work. It was fun learning about trains. It's an amazing museum!" |
"This museum has fantastic displays! Love the demonstration of what made America great: hard working American spirit!" |
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Club Car Conversation: Daniel Faas and The Granger Railroads of Wisconsin
Missed our last Autumn Author Talk? Don't worry, Daniel Faas will be joining us for our next Club Car Conversation on Tuesday, October 21st at 5:30pm!
Faas will explore one of the great political and economic movements of the nineteenth century, when a fraternal organization of Midwest farmers permanently changed the trajectory of American railroads. When rising shipping rates threatened their ability to get their crops to market, these small farmers banded together to form the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. Deftly handling the levers of power in their clash with robber barons, the organization’s pattern of regulation all but controlled the development of national rail policies for more than a century.
Club Car Conversations are casual virtual chats about history, popular culture, and railroads! They are free and open to the public, just RSVP to receive the Zoom link!
Can't make it but still want to listen in? Still RSVP! All those registered will receive a recording of the Club Car Conversation that is available for 10 days.
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Autumn Author Talk: Dr. Eric Groce and The Canteen: Sacrifice and Community during WWII
Join us for our final Autumn Author Talk of 2025! Dr. Eric Groce brings to the museum his book, The Canteen: Sacrifice and Community during WWII on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm. Dr. Groce will be available for book signings from 5pm to 6pm!
Starting Christmas Day, 1941, when transport trains on the Union Pacific Railroad stopped in North Platte to refill their water tanks, the local families of North Platte, Nebraska, came together to provide love, support, food, and morale to young soldiers involved in World War II―black and white―who briefly passed through their town. Troops poured into the North Platte Depot, The Canteen, to find homecooked meals, birthday cakes, hot coffee, cold milk, magazines, postcards, and the warmth of a grateful and loving community. The stops lasted only ten minutes, but the people of North Platte made sure that everyone in their midst was taken care of. This remarkable story will inspire readers of all ages, as The Canteen nourishes all who have the privilege to visit.
This event is free and open to the public, just RSVP to reserve your seat!
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Check out our new book!
Looking for some throwback recipes? Check out our new UP Commissary cook book! For more than a century, UP employees delivered high-quality meals and service to the public traveling on their iconic trains. This mid-20th century Dining Car Service Manual from the UP collection has been reproduced for you to enjoy!
Get a behind-the-scenes look into what it took to deliver world-class service in a moving restaurant. Recreate some of your favorites or try something new!
The Union Pacific Dining Car Cook Book and Service Instructions (replica edition) is available for purchase now!
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Check out our new temporary exhibit!
Law and Order on the Railroad:Learn about the evolution of railroad law enforcement from the beginning of the railroad until today!
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Join us for our free public events
History Express FREE Tour: Saturdays starting at 1:30 p.m.
Experience a standing tour that explores the overview history of 150 plus years of the railroad. No reservation needed. We will meet in front of the business car on the first floor.
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Our mission is to share American History through the lens of the railroad, connecting generations who have been impacted by Union Pacific
The museum is housed in a historic Carnegie Library building in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Visitors can explore an extensive compilation of items from 150 years of our nation's western history, including artifacts, photographs, documents and equipment.
All donations support the Union Pacific Museum Association, a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit.