The Museum of the American Railroad in Frisco, TX has an impressive collection of large, unique, and historic locomotives. These locomotives include:
The museum collection began as the "Age of Steam" exhibit at the 1963 Texas State Fair. One of the first display pieces was the Dallas Union Terminal 0-6-0 7. By 2010 the museum collection had outgrown the "Fair Park" site at the Texas State Fair grounds. In 2011, construction began at the current site of the museum in Frisco, TX.
Today, Museum of the American Railroad includes an operation indoor G-scale layout. Tours can be arranged to see the museum's collection of rolling stock. The people who interface with the public are very knowledgeable and accommodating.
The museum as big plans for the future. A new museum building and concourse with tracks and platforms has been designed. Once completed, the museum will be a very enjoyable place to visit.
Any time a steam locomotive collection includes a Big Boy, it will be the star of the show. 4018 last operated in October 1957 when it was stored in Green River, WY. 4018 remained stored in the roundhouse at Green River until 1961. It was officially retired in June 1962 with 1,037,123 miles on it. 4018 then had its piston rods cut and was then moved to Cheyenne, WY. 4018 arrived at the Age of Steam Museum in 1964. In 1998 it was announced that 4018 would be restored to operating condition for use in a movie. However, those plans never materialized. In 2007 4018 was repainted to its original paint scheme
4501 is one of four surviving SLSF Northerns. It last operated in 1952. 4501 was retired in 1964 and donated to the museum in 1964.
1625 is called a "Russian Decapod". It was built in 1918 as a five-foot gauge locomotive to be exported to Russia. Because of the Russian revolution it was never delivered. Instead, it was regauged to standard gauge and sold to the United States Railway Administration (USRA). From there it went to the Saint Louis - San Francisco railroad.
It operated until 1957 but was not officially retired until 1964 and then donated to the museum.