Page 45 - Let´s Make Waves - November 2018

A Working Museum to Transportation,
the Union Depot’s waiting room is as
beautiful and classic today as it ever was.
In addition to its utility as a multi-modal
transportation facility, the station is a gem
of a museum. Collections of rare and valu-
able passenger rail memorabilia like china
and schedules that recall the station’s glory
years are on display. In fact, the Renfert
railroad china collection is reputed to be
one of the largest in the U.S. Out back,
alongside the platforms, sits an unusual
collection of 42 freight and passenger rail
cars, An original Sam Houston Zephyr car
is in the collection as is the Glen Fee Pull-
man coach, one of the original cars on the

Strand and Seaport District, now listed in d and Seaport District, now listed in
Stran
the National Register of Historic Places.
the National Register of Historic Places.
The foundation then transferred title of
The foundation then transferred title of
the building to a newly created nonprofit
the building to a newly created nonprofit
corporation known as Shearn Moody Pla-
corporation known as Shearn Moody Pla-
za, Inc. The ground floor and rail yards
za, Inc. The ground floor and rail yards
were given to the Center for Transporta-
were given to the Center for Transporta-
tion and Commerce for the purposes of
tion and Commerce for the purposes of
preserving the old depot and maintaining
preserving the old depot and maintaining
a collection of historic railroad rolling
a collection of historic railroad rolling
stock and related artifacts and exhibits.
stock and related artifacts and exhibits.
The Center for Transportation and Com-
The Center for Transportation and Com-
merce now does business as the Galves-
merce now does business as the Galves-
ton Island Railroad Museum and Terminal
ton Island Railroad Museum and Terminal
and is recognized as the largest and most United States Freedom Train operated Galveston Railroad
and is recognized as the largest and most
United States Freedom Train operated
during the administration of Harry Tru-
complete museum of its kind in the during the administration of Harry Tru-
complete museum of its kind in the
man. Both diesel and steam locomotives
Southwestern U.S. On the floors above
Southwestern U.S. On the floors above man. Both diesel and steam locomotives Museum
the museum and depot, the public private representing several eras of rail history in 2602 Santa Fe Place
representing several eras of rail history in
partnership of this great station becomes the Museum’s collection now call Galves- Galveston, TX 77550
the Museum’s collection now call Galves-
ton home. Of great concern to Dundee is
evident. The Port of Galveston, district ton home. Of great concern to Dundee is 409-765-5700
the long-term care of these, “carbon steel
social service offices and county offices all the long-term care of these, “carbon steel
call the station home, as well. works of public art” now stored in the www.galvestonrrmuseum.com
works of public art” now stored in the
open-air rail yard.
open-air rail yard.

Waves Magazine | November 2018 Issue | 45