Listed below, we’ve mapped out a trail that features eight of Alabama’s most historic train depots. Today, many of them are operated as museums. If you’ve always been fascinated with train history, you’ll most certainly want to follow this train depot trail.
Let’s get started:
google maps For complete driving directions, click here.
- Historic Huntsville Depot
flickr/Thermodynamix Your first stop will be the Historic Huntsville Depot. The Historic Huntsville Depot, which is currently operated as a museum, is located in downtown Huntsville. It was completed in 1860, making it Alabama’s oldest surviving railroad depot. Interestingly, it’s also one of the oldest railroad depots in the United States.
- Old Decatur Depot
google/Walla Hatchee Your next stop will be the Old Decatur Depot. The Old Decatur Depot, which currently operates as a museum, was built in 1905. Its original name was “Union Depot,” and it was used by several celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and more. This historic depot operated as a passenger station until 1979, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
- Tuscumbia Railroad Depot
flickr/Brent Moore After a short drive, you’ll arrive at the Tuscumbia Railroad Depot. The Tuscumbia Railroad Depot was built in 1888 and has been fully restored in recent years. During its earlier years, this historic depot was used by Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. It’s currently operated as a museum. Lots of rail and train memorabilia, in addition to information about Tuscumbia’s history, are displayed. The carriage of the Keller family is also featured at the museum. Interesting facts: The Tuscumbia Railway was the first railroad west of the Appalachian Mountains. Tuscumbia is also known as “America’s First Frontier Railroad Town.”
- Foley Railroad Depot
tripadvisor/Philly man You’ll then take a scenic drive south to Foley where you’ll visit the Foley Railroad Depot. The Foley Railroad Depot, which was built in 1909, is currently operated as the Foley Railroad Museum & Model Train Exhibit. This depot museum showcases photos, tools, and lots of memorabilia that highlights Foley’s city and railroad history.
- Montgomery Union Station
flickr/Chris Lawrence After a much shorter drive north, you’ll arrive at Montgomery Union Station. Montgomery Union Station was built in 1898 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and its rail service ended in 1979. This historic railroad station currently hosts the Montgomery Area Visitor Center, and it’s also one of Alabama’s most historic landmarks.
- Fort Payne Depot
google/Ralf Kemle After another drive north, you’ll arrive at the Fort Payne Depot. The Fort Payne Depot was built in 1891. For approximately 85 years, it served as a depot for the Alabama Great Southern Railroad. It’s currently operated as the Fort Payne Depot Museum, which showcases both permanent and rotating exhibits.
- Bridgeport Railroad Depot
google/Rick Bennett Your next stop will be the Bridgeport Railroad Depot. The Bridgeport Railroad Depot, which was built in 1917, operated as a depot through the late 1960s. It currently hosts the Bridgeport Area Historical Association Museum. This museum includes a wide variety of railroad memorabilia, in addition to local artifacts.
- Stevenson Railroad Depot
google/Strick Yak Following a short drive, your final stop will be the Stevenson Railroad Depot. In 1872, both the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad built the Stevenson Railroad Depot as a joint project. Today, this historic depot is operated as a museum that features many railroad and Civil War artifacts.
Have you ever been to any of these historic train depots? If so, what did you think? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.
google maps
For complete driving directions, click here.
flickr/Thermodynamix
Your first stop will be the Historic Huntsville Depot. The Historic Huntsville Depot, which is currently operated as a museum, is located in downtown Huntsville. It was completed in 1860, making it Alabama’s oldest surviving railroad depot. Interestingly, it’s also one of the oldest railroad depots in the United States.
google/Walla Hatchee
Your next stop will be the Old Decatur Depot. The Old Decatur Depot, which currently operates as a museum, was built in 1905. Its original name was “Union Depot,” and it was used by several celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and more. This historic depot operated as a passenger station until 1979, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
flickr/Brent Moore
After a short drive, you’ll arrive at the Tuscumbia Railroad Depot. The Tuscumbia Railroad Depot was built in 1888 and has been fully restored in recent years. During its earlier years, this historic depot was used by Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan. It’s currently operated as a museum. Lots of rail and train memorabilia, in addition to information about Tuscumbia’s history, are displayed. The carriage of the Keller family is also featured at the museum. Interesting facts: The Tuscumbia Railway was the first railroad west of the Appalachian Mountains. Tuscumbia is also known as “America’s First Frontier Railroad Town.”
tripadvisor/Philly man
You’ll then take a scenic drive south to Foley where you’ll visit the Foley Railroad Depot. The Foley Railroad Depot, which was built in 1909, is currently operated as the Foley Railroad Museum & Model Train Exhibit. This depot museum showcases photos, tools, and lots of memorabilia that highlights Foley’s city and railroad history.
flickr/Chris Lawrence
After a much shorter drive north, you’ll arrive at Montgomery Union Station. Montgomery Union Station was built in 1898 by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and its rail service ended in 1979. This historic railroad station currently hosts the Montgomery Area Visitor Center, and it’s also one of Alabama’s most historic landmarks.
google/Ralf Kemle
After another drive north, you’ll arrive at the Fort Payne Depot. The Fort Payne Depot was built in 1891. For approximately 85 years, it served as a depot for the Alabama Great Southern Railroad. It’s currently operated as the Fort Payne Depot Museum, which showcases both permanent and rotating exhibits.
google/Rick Bennett
Your next stop will be the Bridgeport Railroad Depot. The Bridgeport Railroad Depot, which was built in 1917, operated as a depot through the late 1960s. It currently hosts the Bridgeport Area Historical Association Museum. This museum includes a wide variety of railroad memorabilia, in addition to local artifacts.
google/Strick Yak
Following a short drive, your final stop will be the Stevenson Railroad Depot. In 1872, both the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad built the Stevenson Railroad Depot as a joint project. Today, this historic depot is operated as a museum that features many railroad and Civil War artifacts.
In addition to these historic depots, Alabama is also home to several train-themed restaurants. For a list of nine train-themed restaurants you’ll most certainly want to give a try, be sure to take a look at the following article: 9 Themed Restaurants In Alabama That Are Perfect For Train Lovers Of All Ages.
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Address: Huntsville Depot Museum, 320 Church St NW, Huntsville, AL 35801, USAAddress: 701 Railroad St NW, Decatur, AL 35601, USAAddress: Tuscumbia Railways, 204 W 5th St, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USAAddress: 125 E Laurel Ave, Foley, AL 36535, USAAddress: 210 Water St, Montgomery, AL 36104, USAAddress: Fort Payne Depot Museum, 105 5th St NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USAAddress: 116 Soulard Square, Bridgeport, AL 35740, USAAddress: 207 W Main St, Stevenson, AL 35772, USA
