Shreveport Railroad Museum is a small railroad-history museum at 142 N Common St, Shreveport, LA 71101, on the northern edge of downtown in the historic McNeill Street Water Works complex. Opened here in 2013, it explores north Louisiana railroading through historical artifacts and a working model railway. Travelers come for the HO-scale recreation of 1960s downtown Shreveport and the opportunity to connect transportation history with the neighboring waterworks’ stationary steam engines.
What to Expect at Shreveport Railroad Museum
The centerpiece is a working HO-scale model railroad depicting downtown Shreveport in the 1960s. HO models use a scale of approximately 1:87, allowing streets, buildings, and railway movements to share one detailed miniature landscape. Spend time following the tracks through the city rather than simply watching a train complete its circuit. This is a compact, artifact-centered museum in an auxiliary waterworks building, not a railway excursion depot; the model layout and regional railroad displays are the principal reasons to visit.
The collection grew from the Red River Valley Railroad Historical Society, founded in Shreveport in 1981 by railroad enthusiasts. The organization adopted the name Shreveport Railroad Museum in 2022 and continues curating the exhibits. Begin with the railway displays, then explore the adjoining waterworks to compare two applications of steam power: moving trains and pumping municipal water. The industrial setting matters as much as the objects. Built in 1887, the McNeill Street plant was Louisiana’s second waterworks and one of the earliest constructed in the post-Civil War South.
- 1960s Shreveport layout: A working miniature railway interprets the downtown landscape at HO scale.
- North Louisiana railroad artifacts: Regional material keeps the focus on local transportation history.
- Volunteer preservation story: The museum traces its organizational roots to railroad enthusiasts who united in 1981.
- Historic auxiliary building: Railway exhibits occupy a separate building within a municipal industrial complex.
- Steam-power pairing: The neighboring waterworks adds large stationary pumping engines to the visit.
Shreveport Railroad Museum at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 142 N Common St, Shreveport, LA 71101 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Northern downtown; McNeill Street Water Works complex |
| Operating Hours | Listed hours: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4 p.m.; Monday closed. Call ahead for railroad-building access. |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission; donations welcome. Budget tier: $. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30–45 minutes; 60–90 minutes with the waterworks |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | On-site visitor parking; use SporTran’s trip planner for downtown bus connections and the closest operating stop. |
| Official Website & Phone | Official railroad museum page; +1 318-797-8008 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive near the beginning of the listed opening period, leaving time for both buildings before the 4 p.m. close. Telephone before making a special trip: access to the railroad collection deserves a separate check from the wider waterworks schedule. Groups should request a tour through the official website. Drivers can use the museum grounds’ visitor parking; bus riders should check SporTran for current routes rather than assume a downtown service stops at the entrance. Bring a small bag, and ask staff about photography before using flash or a tripod.
The railroad gallery and main pumping station are separate buildings, so visiting both involves an outdoor transfer. Wheelchair users and families bringing strollers should telephone about entrance thresholds, the accessible route, and restroom access before arrival. Start your nearby pairing with the Shreveport Water Works Museum on the same grounds. Then walk roughly 10–15 minutes south toward Caddo Common Park and the surrounding Shreveport Common arts district, where public space and cultural buildings offer a change from industrial history. Allow extra time at road crossings, particularly with children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when should I visit?
Listed hours are Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, noon–4 p.m.; Monday is closed. Aim for opening and call ahead to check access to the separate railroad building.
How much does admission cost, and are reservations required?
Admission is free, with donations supporting preservation. Contact the museum ahead of a group visit or guided-tour request rather than arriving with a large party unannounced.
How long should I allow?
Budget 30–45 minutes for the railroad exhibits and model layout. Allow 60–90 minutes overall if you also want to examine the neighboring waterworks machinery.
Is the museum suitable for children and wheelchair users?
The working model railway is a particular draw for children, although this is an exhibit visit rather than a train ride. For wheelchair access, ask staff about the auxiliary building’s entrance and the outdoor connection to the pumping station.
When planning your Shreveport travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Shreveport, pair this stop with standout local spots including Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park, Chicken Statue, Herby-K's, and Shreveport Water Works Museum (nearby).
