Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society Tyler Tap Chapter


Home About Us Events Members Contact Us Links Cotton Belt Prints Cotton Belt Pictures Cotton Belt Stories McDaniel Collection Trains Through Tyler Videos

Cotton Belt Logo

Cotton Belt Railroad Depot Museum


210 East Oakwood Street
Tyler, Texas 75702

903-595-7232
Open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, Friday & Saturday
Enter through breezeway

Free Addmission - Donations are appreciated
 









1st Passenger train at the depot in 1905

Christmas Ornament, $15.00 plus postage.
On sale at the Museum.
Please call 903-595-7232

The date for the Cotton Belt Train Show has not been set yet. Please check back for the new date.




joinusfacebooksm.jpg

Greater Upper East Texas Area Model Railroaders

The greater upper East Texas area model train enthusiasts are invited to join our local Group.

Check our Facebook page:

Smith County Texas Train Club


The Cotton Belt Depot was opened to the public in 1905 and continued service until the last passenger train, #8, departed in April 1956. In 1988 the Southern Pacific deeded the depot to the City of Tyler. The City restored the depot to her orginal beauty in 2003.

Today the depot facilitates the Cotton Belt Depot Museum in the old baggage section on the east end of the building. It was opened in 2005 and is staffed by volunteers from the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society, Tyler Tap Chapter. The Depot Museum has welcomed visitors from all 50 States, the District of Columbia and over 45 foreign countries. Over 300 visiters visit the depot each month and tours are conducted during normal business hours or by special arrangement at other times.

Items of interest in the museum
  • Artifacts, memorabila, and pictures from the "Cotton Belt" in Tyler, Texas. Winfield paintings.
  • The famous "Bragg Train Collection" of Lionel Electric Trains that includes over 200 engines and 1600 cars donated by Sharon Bragg.
  • There are operating O and HO scale model railroads.
  • Union Pacific Railroad's west bound Corsicana Sub runs freight trains past the depot. .
  • FREE admission. Donations are appreciated.
  • Group Tours by Appointment Only Please.


This is what we are about. Bring the kids but be aware, they will not want to leave..
Site updated January 30, 2024.

Copyright 2005 -
Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society - Tyler Tap Chapter