Page 1 - Galveston Railroad Museum - Winter News February 2024

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 2024

WINTER NEWS
By David Robertson, Executive Director

of the stars of our Speaker Series, Ray Byer, will be
speaking during this year’s RailFest about his experiences
with model trains.
Ray has been working diligently to get the HO-scale
model train layout in the Theater Building, AKA the Railway
Express building, reassembled and running once again.
We expect it to be complete by the end of 2024. You can
watch Ray working in the Theater Building on weekends.
The Museum is excited to announce the extension of
The Battleship Texas “A City at Sea” exhibit. The exhibit is
spotlighting many items from the ship that have never been
seen. My favorite is a microphone used by General Dwight
Eisenhower aboard the ship just prior to D-Day. If you come
to the Museum and enjoy the exhibit, please post your
favorite items to Face Book or Instagram.
Starting on 1 February, the Museum will have a new
feature entitled “Museum Finds.” It will be changed each
Welcome to winter at The Galveston Railroad Museum. month and will spotlight an item that has never before been
It has been cold as a cucumber around the rail yard, but this seen by the public. We are amazed at the plethora of items
cold snap has certainly not slowed the Railroad Museum we have residing in our archives.
down. We have winterized our F Units, gotten the proper In the next few months look for an exhibit related to The
inspections for Engine 1983 prior to the beginning of spring Harvey House Restaurant. There are original menus,
season excursion runs, and packed away most of our Polar uniforms etc. that are from the former Harvey House at the
Express décor. original Galveston Depot.
I am pleased to inform the members that the 2023 Polar This is a small glimpse of what is to come in 2024. We
Express season was a spectacular success, with just under look forward to seeing you.
34,000 guests attending. We had our food court with Het Don’t forget we have two rail cars that are being used
Mikey’s ice cream being served, Riondo’s food truck with as bed and breakfast cars. They have 24-hour concierge
adult beverages, Gypsy Joynt selling their Island famous service and are perfect for any event or get away. Be sure
sweets, and of course our own Whistle Stop Café was open. to ask to see them when you visit.
And kudos to ETC Theatre for creating a wonderful spot for The Museum is also capable of holding dinners for up
Santa to touch down. The theatre group kept the visitors to 350 attendees. If a large gathering is being planned,
entertained as the Polar Express was traveling to the North consider holding it at the Museum. Not only is there a large
Pole and back. space in the People’s Gallery for events, but guests can
We are now looking forward to spring. We will be book a stay in the rail hotel. And remember, if staying at the
continuing our speaker series, and there will be several rail hotel, guests are free to wander about the rail yard and
surprise speakers. We think you will really enjoy them. One see the equipment up close and personal.
The Museum is an immersive living history immerse themselves in railroad history. More than
experience, offering educational exhibits, interactive 200,000 guests visited the museum in 2023
activities, programs, and the opportunity for visitors to So…until next time…..Keep steaming ahead!