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An Emotive Voyage into the Past

A billowing plume of smoke, the impassioned chug of a locomotive, and the echoing whistle that punctures the tranquility of the landscape—these are not mere symbols or sounds of a bygone era. They are the soulful essence of a time when the Age of Steam was at its zenith, the period that the Age of Steam Roundhouse endeavors to encapsulate within its sacred walls.

Picture a rustic, brick-and-mortar cathedral to Train History, housing an impressive array of Vintage Trains, each with its unique narrative. A veritable Railroad Museum, the Age of Steam Roundhouse is a remarkable testament to this pivotal era of Rail Transportation, a loving homage crafted by the hands and hearts of devoted enthusiasts.

Echoes from an Age of Steam

At the heart of the Roundhouse lies its magnificent inhabitants—18 steam locomotives representing various periods and aspects of the rich tapestry of the Steam Era. Each purr and hum with an intensity that mirrors the dynamic labor involved in their meticulous Locomotive Restoration. It is here, within the echoes of rattling iron and hissing steam, that you truly sense the majesty of the Age of Steam.

Look closer. Even the most obscure components, like the massive, ferocious fireboxes or the intricate lattice of the running gear, bear the mark of diligent craftsmanship. It offers a vivid and unmitigated view into this heroic age when man tamed the power of steam to conquer distance and time.

Artifacts of a Golden Time

Brace yourselves as we venture further into the heart of the Age of Steam Roundhouse. This hallowed sanctuary is deeply entrenched in history, each corner revealing a new facet of the illustrious steam age. As you navigate the labyrinth halls of the Roundhouse, you’ll unearth such a wealth of Railway Artifacts that you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere—each artifact a tangible echo from the capstone era of industry and ingenuity.

Here’s a glimpse at some of the unique gems that make the Roundhouse a veritable living, breathing work of art—an institution that exquisitely encapsulates the grandiosity of the past:

  • Vintage Ticket Offices: Step into the shoes of a bygone railway passenger. The old ticket booths, preserved in their original charm, give one a sense of the excitement and anticipation that filled the air as travelers awaited their voyage.
  • Period Signage: Each sign sings a different tale. Be it cautioning engineers or guiding passengers, these signs capture the essence of a time when steam was king, and railways were its kingdom.
  • Implements of the Railwaymen: Tools that once catered to mighty locomotives are now invaluable narrators of the past. They embody the grit, ingenuity, and determination of the proud rail workers who kept the wheels of progress turning.
  • Unique Uniforms: Threads worn by railways’ unsung heroes—each stain, each worn seam—echo the voices of those who wore them, delivering unspoken testimonies of their toil and triumphs.
  • Railway Architectural Elements: A captivating showcase of design elements essential to the steam era, be it the arched doorways, station clocks, platform benches, or luggage racks, each breathing life into the architectural symphony of a rustic station.
  • Commemorating Plaques: These plaques, steeped in glory, honor the victories and milestones of the railways — milestones that propelled the world into the future.

As you delve further into the inviting depth of the Age of Steam Roundhouse, prepare yourself for a romantic journey intimately close to the heart of the steam era. This era continues to resonate with a fiery intensity. Every artifact within these hallowed walls waits to transport you to a grand narrative of love, progress, and unyielding resilience.

Guardians of Heritage

Train enthusiasts, history buffs, families, researchers, and educators find themselves spellbound in the echoing halls of the Roundhouse. More than a Railroad Museum, it serves as an avant-garde of Rail Heritage — a sentinel of a time marked by the power of muscled iron and the whistle of the steam engine. It’s a place where the mythical narrative of the Age of Steam thrives, inviting one and all to behold the majesty of iron horses and the stories they tell.

The Journey Awaits

So saddle up, dear adventurers, for the opportunity to step back into the epic Age of Steam is but a visit away. Inhale the scent of burning coal mingling with the age-old oil and hear the rhythmic chug of history at the Age of Steam Roundhouse. Share your experiences via comments, reviews, and social media posts. After all, this is no mere collection of aged iron and steel but your portal to a bygone glorious era.

And as you leave the Roundhouse, remember the echoes of the steam whistle not as a lament for times gone but as a defiance—a clarion call, reminding us to keep the fires of history, heritage, and passion aflame. An age may end, but its spirit need never wane—welcome to the Age of Steam Roundhouse, where the past awaits, preserved in steam and steel.

Commemorating the Role Played by American Railroads in Achieving Allied Victory in World War II

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum will host our annual Steam to Victory on Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th, 2023.

Combining the might and power of the second World War with the display of American military and steam, visitors will see how the two worked together through the war.

Visitors to the event will be treated to static railroad displays, artillery and small arms demonstrations, World War II military vehicles, living history reenactors, and militaria and food vendors. Short train rides on the museum grounds will be offered to guests as well as tours of the roundhouse to see our steam locomotives that aren’t being displayed outside at the event. Both of these aspects of the event are included in the price of admission for the event.

Commemorating the Role Played by American Railroads in Achieving Allied Victory in World War II

steam to victory 2022 rack card 2
steam to victory 2022 rack card 1

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum will host the second Steam to Victory on Friday, September 9th and Saturday, September 10th, 2022.

Welcoming visitors for this exciting weekend; Steam to Victory 2022 will be the second edition of this grand event.  Combining the might and power of the second World War with the display of American military and steam, visitors will see how the two worked together through the war.

Visitors to the event will be treated to static railroad displays, artillery and small arms demonstrations, World War II military vehicles, living history reenactors, and militaria and food venders. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the event. Guided tours of the Roundhouse collection will be offered for an additional charge.

Commemorating the Role Played by American Railroads in Achieving Allied Victory in World War Two

steam to victory 2021 rack card 2
steam to victory 2021 rack card 1

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum will host the second annual Steam to Victory on Friday September 10th and Saturday September 11th, 2021.  

“We look forward to welcoming visitors back for this exciting weekend,” said Education and Program Coordinator, Taylor Little. “Steam to Victory 2021 will be the second edition of this annual event and it will provide us with an opportunity to combine historic military materials with unique opportunities to experience the museum’s extensive railroad collection.”

Visitors to the event will be treated to static railroad displays, artillery and small arms demonstrations, World War Two military vehicles, living history displays, and militaria and food venders. Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the event. Guided tours of the Roundhouse collection will be offered for an additional charge.   

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Commemorating Wartime Railroading & the West Lafayette Disaster of September 11, 1950

Aftermath of the troop train wreck, Sept. 11, 1950, in which 33 were killed and 278 were injured.

This year the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum will present a socially distant, “virtual” Steam to Victory event to commemorate the importance of wartime railroading and the September 11, 1950 Troop Train Disaster that occurred just east of West Lafayette, Ohio.

Visitors to the museum’s social media sites will be treated to a series of posts and videos exploring aspects of wartime railroading, historic materials related to that history, and information and images depicting the 1950 collision between a military troop train and a passenger train that killed 33 American soldiers. Posts will begin Friday, September 11 and end during the evening of Saturday, September 12.

“The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum wanted to continue our annual Steam to Victory events this year, and we felt that a virtual event was the best way for us to reach as many people as possible during the current public health situation with the Covid-19 virus,” said Executive Director, Noel Poirier. “It will allow us to combine historic military materials with unique, modern-day views of our Roundhouse museum’s extensive railroad collection.”

The Roundhouse has partnered with the West Lafayette Historical Society to display its extensive collection of historic materials relating to this tragic accident. This collection includes original newspaper accounts, historic newspaper press photographs, personal photos, old artifacts from the wreck site and much more. These items will be displayed in the Roundhouse’s Depot exhibit building on public tour days of Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during September and October 2020.

“We wanted to take this unique opportunity to bring attention to a tragedy that occurred 70 years ago in our own backyard, and use it to discuss the much larger story of the historic and important use of America’s railroads to quickly transport millions of soldiers and their military vehicles during wartime,” explained Poirier. “It is an honor for us to present this very local page of that much larger history.”