The Union Pacific Railroad Museum

200 Pearl Street
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503
(712) 329-8307

Hours:	Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
	Closed Sunday and Monday

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum houses one of the oldest corporate collections in the nation. It includes artifacts, photographs and documents that trace the development of the railroad and the American West. The Union Pacific Collection dates to the mid-1800's, featuring original editions of reports from survey teams that searched for the best land route to join the nation, east to west. Surveying equipment, early rail equipment, and artifacts from the construction of the nation's first transcontinental railroad tell the story of one of the world's construction marvels.

The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 by Union Pacific and its constituent railroads shaped the landscape and geography of the American West. Council Bluffs, the eastern terminus of that landmark railroad, represented the starting point for tens of thousands of westward-bound immigrants.

View images of the museum.

The Union Pacific Collection features promotional materials that helped attract emigrants to the American West, along with a sampling of the precious possessions they brought with them. Visitors to the museum can trace the settlement of the West on an interactive map table that highlights the towns that grew along the railroad's route. The museum also features displays about the heyday of passenger travel and the rail industry's efforts to promote the nation's first national parks.

The story of the American rail industry is a living tale and the museum features exhibits on the past, present and future of America's largest railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad Museum takes visitors on a journey through 140 years of American history, from the 1800's to the 21st century. Innovations and technology in the modern rail business are featured, with displays on modern track laying equipment, the railroad's use of Global Positioning Satellite technology, and the nation's largest privately-owned communication network. Interactive exhibits help explain the role of Union Pacific in the nation's economy and the railroad industry's contribution to modern technology.

The City of Council Bluffs

The restoration of the historic Carnegie Library and the development of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum create a tourist destination in the heart of the Council Bluffs historic district and preserve an important part of the city's rich heritage.

The Union Pacific Railroad Museum complements other local rail attractions, including the Historic General Dodge House, the RailsWest Museum, the Golden Spike monument and the Durham Western Heritage Museum, and it expands on the story of pioneer migration depicted at the National Western Historic Trails Center. Together, these attractions make Council Bluffs and Omaha a destination attraction for rail fans and history lovers from throughout the country.

For more information on Council Bluffs, Iowa visit the city Web site.

Friends of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum Board of Directors
Don Bowerman Mark Brandenburg Cindy Carlin Kate Cutler Jody Edwards Bonnie Green Mary Ann Hanusa Carl Heinrich	Gail P. Hunter Tom Lynch Larry Miller Ben Post Gloria Ruesch Matt Ryan Michael Shelton
Museum Staff
Beth Lindquist Museum Director John Bromley Director Historic Projects Margo Bieker Sr. Manager Historical Collections	Andrea “Andi” Hodge Director Guest & Member Services Patricia LaBounty Outreach Coordinator

A History of Partnership

In the early days of the last century, a group of Council Bluffs men and women dedicated themselves to establishing the City's first Free Public Library. In 1903, the City received a bequest of $74,000 from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and constructed the Council Bluffs Carnegie Library. The generous grant allowed Council Bluffs to construct one of the largest Carnegie libraries in the state in the beautiful and unique Beaux Arts style. In 1998, the City moved into a larger facility. Flooded with pleas to preserve the Carnegie Library for public use, the City of Council Bluffs challenged the Friends of the Union Pacific Railroad Museum to raise $3.5 million to restore the building and establish a home for Union Pacific's Historical Collection. In an unusual partnership of public, private and corporate, the City, the Friends and Union Pacific joined forces to create the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Under this arrangement, the Friends raised the construction funds and supply Museum volunteers, the City leases the building to Union Pacific, and Union Pacific pays the museum's operating expenses.