Our History

Santa Fe Building

Galveston Union Station

The south half of this building was constructed in 1913 to serve as a central passenger station for Galveston’s railway system and to house the general offices of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad’s Gulf lines.

End of an era

Last Passenger Train

In 1964 the Galveston office of the Santa Fe Railroad closed, and the company’s last passenger train stopped here three years later

Museum Established

Shearn Moody Plaza

Formerly Galveston Union Station, The Center for Transportation and Commerce, aka Galveston Railroad Museum, was established by a Moody Foundation grant in 1972 initiated by Mary Moody Northen. The grant funded the restoration and repurposing of the Santa Fe Building, now known as Shearn Moody Plaza. Situated on 5 acres of railyard, the station was once a thriving, operating depot that served major railroad companies including Union Pacific, Santa Fe Railroad, and Southern Pacific Railroad, who transported merchandise to and from the Galveston Wharves to various locations across the United States. Opening to the public in 1982 as the Galveston Railroad Museum, the 501 c(3) non-profit organization offers educational exhibits and the opportunity for the public to immerse themselves in the rich history of the railroad both locally and nationally.

flooded the museum

Hurricane Ike

The museum continued to thrive until Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston Island and flooded the entire museum including the railcars.

Exhibits, events & more!

Current Times

Now fully recovered, the museum is open daily, and hosts exhibits of the permanent collection, engaging rotating exhibits, speakers, presentations, student, seniors, and special needs field trips. An immersive living history experience, visitors are encouraged to climb aboard trains, spend time in a train engineer simulator, or ring the bell in the Garden of Steam and let your imagination take you back to the Gold Age of Railroad. All Aboard!