Cheyenne got its start back in 1867 when the Union Pacific Railroad passed through on its way to the west. Many of the first residents of Cheyenne were men who moved to the area to work on the railroad, and then many of them moved away when that work was completed. The railroad is an important part of Cheyenne’s history, and there are several attractions in the area where you can learn about it and have some fun at the same time. All aboard for these Cheyenne railroad attractions.
Cheyenne Depot Museum
The Cheyenne Depot Museum showcases the story of the Union Pacific Railroad from the very beginning of construction. Visit the museum to see the Union Pacific Main Yard, take part in one of the many educational programs, and then head up to the second floor to see the narrow gauge model railroad with the handcrafted scenery. Created by Harry S. Brunk, this model railroad has been on over 100 different magazine covers and features the Union Central and Northern Railroads.
Big Boy Steam Engine
Cheyenne is the final resting place of the Big Boy Steam Engine. Known as Old Number 4004, this retired steam engine is an incredible site. It is one of the largest steam locomotives, and it could pull a 3600-ton train over the steam mountains leading from Cheyenne to Ogden, Utah. This steam engine is one of only eight Big Boys still in existence in the country. You’ll find Old Number 4004 on Morrie Avenue in Holliday Park in Cheyenne. It is currently covered for renovations, so make sure to check on its status before visiting.
Engine 1242
Engine 1242 is one of the oldest steam engines in Wyoming. Known as Ol’ Sadie, this engine ran on the Walcott-Saratoga-Encampment branch line starting in 1921. It ran until 1952 when the Union Pacific Railroad retired it and donated it to the city. You can visit Engine 1242 at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in Lions Park. It sits in the park surrounded by a train folk art fence created by Floyd Young Sr. who was the last engineer to drive Ol’ Sadie. There are signs along the fence that tell her story, and in the concrete walkway around the fence, you can see all the major stops made by the trains in their day.
The Ames Monument & Sherman Hill
Make sure to visit the Ames Monument, a 60-foot tall granite pyramid located in Buford, Wyoming. Organizers dedicated the monument to Oakes and Oliver Ames, the two brothers from Massachusetts who were a big part of the construction of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Oakes was in control of the railroad’s construction, and Oliver became the president of the Union Pacific Railroad. The monument sits on the highest point on the Transcontinental Railroad and serves as a reminder of what once was. You’ll find this railroad attraction in Sherman Hill located off the I-80.
Whether you are a fan of railroads or just interested in the history of the area, these are some of Cheyenne’s railroad themed attractions that you shouldn’t miss.
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