Gettysburg's Lincoln Train Museum, built in 1969 and recreated in 2013 by the late retired Sheriff James F. Kralik, shares a patriot's love of America and those whose roles shaped and created our American story.
Within walking distance of the location where President Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address, dedicating the hallowed ground of one of the most bloodiest and most decisive battles of the American Civil War, you can explore the history and heroes of America from the days of the Founding Fathers through the tragic events of "9-11" with the spirit of President Lincoln.
Our museum collections include Americana from politics to sports, from Hollywood to the Wild West, the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Armed Forces and the World Wars, the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart, as well as railroad history and other memorabilia. Your rail journey with us includes the history of President Lincoln's funeral journey from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois as well as a ride on our recreated Lincoln Funeral Car "United States", upon which you journey with the spirit of Lincoln as he shares his love of America with you.
Why a train museum you ask?
Well, Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, savior of the Union and emancipator of slaves, was also instrumental in forging our American railroad system. His life adventures seemed to encompass this new transportation system which was built upon American ingenuity.
As a young attorney in the early 1850's, Abraham Lincoln started dealing with railroad legal cases. By the middle of 1850's, he was considered one of the most successful and sought after practitioners of railroad law.
In 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln gave his farewell speech to his town of Springfield from the back of a railroad car. During that speech, Lincoln "foreshadowed that the great conflict brewing would claim him: 'I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return...' And he was right --- he never saw Springfield again.
The railroad adventure to Washington, D.C. Lincoln would embark upon that evening would consist of "sneaking through Baltimore at night, in disguise, foiling an alleged assassination attempt."
As the bloody Civil War engulfed the nation, the Transcontinental Railroad would become Abraham Lincoln's way of uniting our nation 'from sea to shining sea'. Lincoln wanted to make America across the continent feel like one people and one nation.
In 1863, President Lincoln would use this developing transportation system and arrive by rail at the historic Gettysburg Railroad Station on his journey to dedicate the grounds of Gettysburg's Soldiers' National Cemetery.
During the Civil War, the Federal Government would create the first private railroad car, a car for the President as a means to unite the nation after the civil war. That car would ultimately become the "Funeral Car United States". The President never stepped aboard that car while he was living, but he took his final journey home in it to be laid to rest in Springfield, Illinois and accompanied by the remains of his son Willie. Sadly, the "Funeral Car United States" would be destroyed by fire in 1911 on a side track in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Lincolns’ story of involvement in the American railroad system however, wouldn't end there. Lincoln's oldest son, Robert, would become the president of the Pullman Car Company in 1897. The Pullman Car Company would change their railroad cars from 60-foot varnished wood railroad cars to an 80-foot riveted-steel design. In September of 1910, with Robert Lincoln still as president of the company, "Coach 895, The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Business Car No. 101" would be manufactured for the Western Pacific Railroad. After complete restoration, today this car is available for use. It is now the oldest operational railroad car in America and has been renamed The Abraham Lincoln. In July 1988, The Abraham Lincoln was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
We are truly delighted to invite you to explore our history presentations and railroad collections in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the grounds where every brave, wounded, and fallen soldier was an American patriot.
Come on in, step aboard, and explore!!!!
Within walking distance of the location where President Abraham Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address, dedicating the hallowed ground of one of the most bloodiest and most decisive battles of the American Civil War, you can explore the history and heroes of America from the days of the Founding Fathers through the tragic events of "9-11" with the spirit of President Lincoln.
Our museum collections include Americana from politics to sports, from Hollywood to the Wild West, the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. Armed Forces and the World Wars, the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart, as well as railroad history and other memorabilia. Your rail journey with us includes the history of President Lincoln's funeral journey from Washington, D.C. to Springfield, Illinois as well as a ride on our recreated Lincoln Funeral Car "United States", upon which you journey with the spirit of Lincoln as he shares his love of America with you.
Why a train museum you ask?
Well, Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, savior of the Union and emancipator of slaves, was also instrumental in forging our American railroad system. His life adventures seemed to encompass this new transportation system which was built upon American ingenuity.
As a young attorney in the early 1850's, Abraham Lincoln started dealing with railroad legal cases. By the middle of 1850's, he was considered one of the most successful and sought after practitioners of railroad law.
In 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln gave his farewell speech to his town of Springfield from the back of a railroad car. During that speech, Lincoln "foreshadowed that the great conflict brewing would claim him: 'I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return...' And he was right --- he never saw Springfield again.
The railroad adventure to Washington, D.C. Lincoln would embark upon that evening would consist of "sneaking through Baltimore at night, in disguise, foiling an alleged assassination attempt."
As the bloody Civil War engulfed the nation, the Transcontinental Railroad would become Abraham Lincoln's way of uniting our nation 'from sea to shining sea'. Lincoln wanted to make America across the continent feel like one people and one nation.
In 1863, President Lincoln would use this developing transportation system and arrive by rail at the historic Gettysburg Railroad Station on his journey to dedicate the grounds of Gettysburg's Soldiers' National Cemetery.
During the Civil War, the Federal Government would create the first private railroad car, a car for the President as a means to unite the nation after the civil war. That car would ultimately become the "Funeral Car United States". The President never stepped aboard that car while he was living, but he took his final journey home in it to be laid to rest in Springfield, Illinois and accompanied by the remains of his son Willie. Sadly, the "Funeral Car United States" would be destroyed by fire in 1911 on a side track in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Lincolns’ story of involvement in the American railroad system however, wouldn't end there. Lincoln's oldest son, Robert, would become the president of the Pullman Car Company in 1897. The Pullman Car Company would change their railroad cars from 60-foot varnished wood railroad cars to an 80-foot riveted-steel design. In September of 1910, with Robert Lincoln still as president of the company, "Coach 895, The Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Business Car No. 101" would be manufactured for the Western Pacific Railroad. After complete restoration, today this car is available for use. It is now the oldest operational railroad car in America and has been renamed The Abraham Lincoln. In July 1988, The Abraham Lincoln was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
We are truly delighted to invite you to explore our history presentations and railroad collections in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the grounds where every brave, wounded, and fallen soldier was an American patriot.
Come on in, step aboard, and explore!!!!
History.com Staff. “Abraham Lincoln.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2009, www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/abraham-lincoln
U.S. News Jamie Stiehm, Opinion Contributor 2011, www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/jamie-stiehm/2011/02/14/abraham-lincolns-farewell-address-revealed-his-tragic-optimism
"Lincoln and the Railroad.” UP Celebrates Lincoln: Lincoln and the Railroad, www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/lincoln/lincoln_rr/index.shtml
Abraham Lincoln And the Events at Ford's Theatre https://seatup.com/blog/abraham-lincoln-and-the-events-at-ford-theatre
U.S. News Jamie Stiehm, Opinion Contributor 2011, www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/jamie-stiehm/2011/02/14/abraham-lincolns-farewell-address-revealed-his-tragic-optimism
"Lincoln and the Railroad.” UP Celebrates Lincoln: Lincoln and the Railroad, www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/lincoln/lincoln_rr/index.shtml
Abraham Lincoln And the Events at Ford's Theatre https://seatup.com/blog/abraham-lincoln-and-the-events-at-ford-theatre