Anyone who has been to Cheyenne knows that the railroad is an integral part of the city’s history. Some of the earliest residents were men who were working on the transcontinental railroad near the city, and a major Union Pacific shop is still in operation in Cheyenne today.

The abundance of train and railway attractions makes the city not only the capital of Wyoming but also the railroad capital of America. With so much rich railroad history, a visit to Cheyenne makes for the perfect day trip for history buffs, railroad enthusiasts, and anyone else who is up for a day of travel and trains.

The bustling town of Cheyenne is a railroad town from way back - when the transcontinental railroad was being laid down in the late 1800s, track by track, across the country.

Unknown - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain/Wikipedia

The Cheyenne Depot Museum is a National Historic Landmark and is probably one of the most recognized structures in the state.

Debs/Flickr Originally a Union Pacific Depot, the building now houses a visitors center and museum as well as a restaurant. The museum includes exhibits from Cheyenne’s railroad history and the plaza, in general, is a gathering place for the community. The Depot often hosts activities such as Depot Days, live concerts, festivals, farmers markets, and several holiday events including a Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve celebration.

The Union Pacific Steam Shop is where the iconic railroad franchise restores and preserves historic trains.

Union Pacific/YouTube Cheyenne is the only place where you can view some of the oldest trains still in existence, and watch experts weld, polish, and restore engines and locomotives from the past.

The roundhouse is located at the Union Pacific rail yard in Cheyenne and was built for one purpose: maintaining and housing steam locomotives.

Traveling Tom/YouTube Constructed in 1931, the roundhouse is the wedge-shaped remnant of what was originally a full circular building. Union Pacific still uses the roundhouse and the surrounding yard and turntable along with the steam shop for their UP Steam Program that is dedicated to restoring and maintaining steam engines.

Ol’ Sadie, Engine 1242, is on display at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.

pretblueye/TripAdvisor In service for over 30 years, this classic locomotive was donated to the city after being retired. The last engineer to drive Engine 1242 built the unique fence that surrounds it, and a collection of signs posted at intervals tell the train’s story. Ol’ Sadie is the oldest steam engine in the state, a true crown jewel of Wyoming’s railroad history.

What better place than America’s Railroad Capital to park the Merci Train?

Keelson Group LLC/Flickr In 1949, France sent 50 railroad cars filled with tokens of gratitude to the U.S. for the helping hand America gave after World War II. Each state received a car, and Wyoming’s is parked at American Legion Post #6 in Cheyenne.

What are your favorite railroad attractions in Cheyenne?

Unknown - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain/Wikipedia

Debs/Flickr

Originally a Union Pacific Depot, the building now houses a visitors center and museum as well as a restaurant. The museum includes exhibits from Cheyenne’s railroad history and the plaza, in general, is a gathering place for the community. The Depot often hosts activities such as Depot Days, live concerts, festivals, farmers markets, and several holiday events including a Christmas Parade and New Year’s Eve celebration.

Union Pacific/YouTube

Cheyenne is the only place where you can view some of the oldest trains still in existence, and watch experts weld, polish, and restore engines and locomotives from the past.

Traveling Tom/YouTube

Constructed in 1931, the roundhouse is the wedge-shaped remnant of what was originally a full circular building. Union Pacific still uses the roundhouse and the surrounding yard and turntable along with the steam shop for their UP Steam Program that is dedicated to restoring and maintaining steam engines.

pretblueye/TripAdvisor

In service for over 30 years, this classic locomotive was donated to the city after being retired. The last engineer to drive Engine 1242 built the unique fence that surrounds it, and a collection of signs posted at intervals tell the train’s story. Ol’ Sadie is the oldest steam engine in the state, a true crown jewel of Wyoming’s railroad history.

Keelson Group LLC/Flickr

In 1949, France sent 50 railroad cars filled with tokens of gratitude to the U.S. for the helping hand America gave after World War II. Each state received a car, and Wyoming’s is parked at American Legion Post #6 in Cheyenne.

Have you visited any of the other historic rail yards in other areas of Wyoming?

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