Railway Museum of San Angelo to celebrate 25th anniversary with new programs

Linda Thorsen Bond

December 30, 2021 at 1:18 PM·4 min read

Dr. Mike Carmichael looks at the new model railway layout in the Railway Museum of San Angelo. He will conduct a workshop, "Creating Railroad Scenery," on Saturday, Jan. 8 at 2 p.m.

Over 111 years ago, San Angelo’s two-story brick railroad depot was built for the Kansas City-Mexico-Orient Railway Line.

The depot served West Texas over 75 years as railroad companies came and went. The building became bedraggled and worn. The roof leaked. The floor sagged. Rather than let the depot go to ruin, a crew of dedicated volunteers stepped in, saved the historic building and turned it into a museum.

A quarter of a century later, the Railway Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary. It is a monument to the vision of people who built it in 1910 as well as to the volunteers who saved it in 1996.

According to Museum board vice president Monica Ramos, “Thanks to a group of dedicated individuals, the Santa Fe Depot was protected from demolition and was rehabilitated to store railroad history artifacts for public viewing. The Santa Fe Passenger Depot’s title changed to the Railway Museum of San Angelo and has since then remained committed to preserving the rich railway history of San Angelo. Over the years, many partners have contributed to maintaining the Railway Museum, including the City of San Angelo, Goodfellow Airforce Base, volunteer organizations from Angelo State University, and railroad retirees & devotees. In February of 2021, an Award of Merit was presented to the Railway Museum by the Texas Historical Commission. Current elements of the museum are comprised of educational programming, living history tours, rotating exhibitions, and gift shop.”

Visitors to the Railway Museum of San Angelo explore a locomotive during the first Railway Days Festival on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

Of course, San Angelo won’t let the anniversary slip by without a celebration. First, there will be a proclamation about the quarter-century history at San Angelo City Council Tuesday, Jan. 4. According to Railway Museum Board president Suzanna Valenzuela, the proclamation reveals several changes. “We’re expanding operating hours to three days a week,” Valenzuela said. “In addition to the regular Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. hours, the museum will be open Thursday and Friday from 1-5 p.m. We’ll be able to handle school tours and special groups and create opportunities for people to visit the museum on weekdays.”

Thursday, Jan. 6 the museum will be open from 1-5 p.m. At 2 p.m. the ribbon cutting celebrating new hours will include light refreshments and tours.

On Saturday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the museum’s kid-sized motorized train chugs around the grounds. There are Living History tours and a brand-new treasure hunt to help people discover the depot’s secrets. Thanks to Marcy Bosequett, there is a new trolley cart for coffee, tea and cocoa.

Ramos said, “We received a grant from the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council that will allow us to provide additional programming in 2022. The programming will occur on the Second Saturday of every month with different fun workshops.”

The museum’s new All Aboard for Art series starts Saturday, Jan 8 with “Creating Railroad Scenery” led by model train collector Dr. Mike Carmichael. He has been working with Bliss Bignall and Greg Johnson to install the new HO exhibit created and donated by Linda Hill. Starting at 2 p.m., participants will meet in the lobby to paint buildings or other scale model items. To register for the workshop, go to sanangelorailway.org/events.

Other Second Saturday workshops will include February’s Los Dias del Tren, when students with ASU’s AMAS organization will do tours in Spanish; Treasures of History with Dr. Michael Powers in March; a Tunes on the Tracks music workshop; Rail Tails with Dr. Linda Thorsen Bond; Railway Days in May; Click and Clack photography workshop; “Better Safe Than Sorry” rail safety in September; Scare Station in October; Santa’s Santa Fe Christmas on Nov. 26 and more.

Ramos said that in 2021 the Museum received a major grant from the San Angelo Health Foundation to replace the outdated HVAC system that is essential to continue operations. Board members who are involved in the decisions for the museum include Valenzuela and Ramos, Rocio Moncibais, Tammie Virden, Bond and Powers.

Valenzuela said, “In honor of our 25th year, we are asking for donations of $25 be made to the museum (or more if you are so moved!) in 2022! Donors will receive a commemorative pin with our 25th Anniversary logo when they contribute.” Kids who bring 25 pennies to a Second Saturday event will be rewarded with a colorful little train whistle.

Contributions can be made online at sanangelorailway.org, mailed or brought to 703 South Chadbourne St., San Angelo, 76903.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Railway Museum of San Angelo to celebrate 25th anniversary with new programs

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