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Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm

The Depot Railroad Museum

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Salem, IN
The Depot Railroad Museum

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Located in the heart of Salem, Indiana, the Depot Railroad Museum brings the stories of the railroad's past back to life.

Step back in time in our beloved railroad museum and enjoy our local railroad history.

09/18/2026

All aboard for a journey through time at The Depot Railroad Museum!
Did you know there’s a whole world of Monon Railroad history waiting to be explored right here in Salem? 🚂
Step inside The Depot, part of the John Hay Center, and discover the stories, artifacts, and memories that helped put Washington County on the railroad map!
👀 Things to see & experience at The Depot:
🚂 Explore Monon Railroad history
Discover the people, trains, and stories behind one of Indiana’s historic railroads.
🕰️ See railroad artifacts & memorabilia
Take a closer look at pieces of the past and imagine what life was like when the railroad was at the heart of the community.
🚉 Experience railroad history up close
The Depot brings the sights and stories of the Monon era to life in a way that’s fun for longtime railroad fans AND curious first-time visitors.
🚂 Check out the 1929 Monon Caboose
Located right beside The Depot, this historic caboose is an important piece of Hoosier railroad history—and we’re working to preserve it for future generations.
🚂 And don’t forget the MODEL TRAINS!
There’s something special about watching the trains run and seeing the railroad come alive!
Whether you’re a railroad enthusiast, a history buff, a family looking for something fun to do, or someone who simply loves discovering local history, there’s something waiting for you at The Depot!

📍206 South College Avenue Salem, IN 47167

📞 (812) 883-1884

📧 [email protected]

09/14/2026

The Depot is proud to host the Louisville Connecting Lines at Old Settlers Days. They will be operating Saturday and Sunday upstairs in the Monon room.

09/11/2026

We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost that day. We remember the families who kissed their loved ones goodbye that morning, never knowing it would be the last time. We remember the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, military personnel, and ordinary people who ran toward danger while everyone else was trying to escape it.
We remember the heroes who never made it home.
We remember the children who grew up without a mother or father. The spouses who had to learn how to live with an empty seat at the table. The parents who lost sons and daughters. And the countless lives forever changed by one September morning.
And we remember something else, the way America came together.
For a moment, differences didn't matter. We were simply Americans. Strangers helped strangers. Communities stood together. Flags appeared everywhere. And we discovered that even in our darkest moments, there was still courage, compassion, and hope.
Today, we pause.
We remember the fallen.
We honor the heroes.
We pray for the families.
And we will never forget.

09/10/2026

Immediately after the accident in 1951, 81B was lying on it’s side and blocking the main crossing. Before it could be cleaned up, track inspectors had to come. Fortunately, for the Monon very little track damaged occurred.

09/08/2026

THE MONON ISN’T JUST A PART OF HISTORY.
IT’S A LEGEND.
AND LEGENDS NEVER DIE.
🚂 FOREVER A PART OF INDIANA.

09/05/2026

🚂 THE MONON RAILROAD: THE IRON ROAD THAT HELPED BUILD WASHINGTON COUNTY

Long before highways and interstate travel, the railroad was the lifeline of Washington County.
What many people know today as the Monon Railroad began right here with the New Albany & Salem Railroad. In 1847, Salem and New Albany businessmen came together with a vision: create a faster and more reliable way to move people and goods between southern Indiana and the rest of the state.
That vision changed Washington County forever.
On January 14, 1851, the very first passenger train rolled into Salem. Thousands of people gathered to witness the incredible sight. Bands played, bells rang, cannons boomed, and the crowd reportedly shouted, “Here she comes! Here she comes!” 🚂
The railroad eventually operated through communities across Washington County, with stations at:
📍 Pekin
📍 Farabee
📍 Harristown (Norris)
📍 Salem
📍 Hitchcock
📍 Smedley
📍 Campbellsburg
📍 Saltillo
Salem, Pekin, and Campbellsburg became the county's primary stations.
The railroad did far more than carry passengers. It helped local businesses grow and connected Washington County industries to markets across the country. Companies such as Smith Cabinet Company and the O.P. Link Handle Company relied heavily on the railroad to ship their products.
The railroad also played a dramatic role during the Civil War. On July 10, 1863, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his raiders came into Salem, destroying tracks, burning the railroad station and boxcars, and searching for valuables.
But the railroad survived.
Over the years, the New Albany & Salem Railroad grew into the railroad affectionately known as The Monon — The Hoosier Line. The trains became part of everyday life in Washington County, carrying passengers, freight, workers, families, and the products that helped build our communities.
🚂 The Monon was more than a railroad. It was progress. It was opportunity. It was the connection that helped put Washington County on the map.
Today, the sound of those trains may be gone, but their story still lives on at The Depot Railroad Museum, where we proudly preserve the history of the railroad that helped shape our community.
Do you have memories of the Railroad running through Washington County? We'd love to hear them! Share your stories and memories in the comments! ❤️🚂

08/31/2026

The Heart of the Depot: Our Incredible Volunteers ❤️🚂

Behind every train that rolls along the tracks, every story shared with a visitor, and every piece of history brought to life, there is an incredible group of volunteers who give their time, knowledge, and passion to the Depot.
At 92 years young, Jim Smoak continues to come to the Depot to operate the model trains and bring joy to visitors of all ages. His dedication is truly inspiring and is a wonderful reminder that a passion for history never gets old.
Lee Wheeler, a former L&N Railroad employee, brings a lifetime of railroad experience and knowledge to the Depot. His connection to the railroad industry helps preserve and share the stories of a time when the railroad was the heartbeat of communities across our region.
Mike Flaugher, a former technician for the Federal Aviation Administration, brings his technical knowledge and expertise to our beloved model train layout. Mike not only helps keep the trains running, but he has played an important role in ensuring the new technology upgrade to the layout becomes a reality.
Our visitors are also welcomed and guided through history by our incredible Depot volunteer tour guides, Gary Schaar and Jamie Stewart. Their passion for local history and willingness to share the stories of the Depot help make every visit a memorable experience.
These volunteers represent something truly special. They give their time, their talents, their knowledge, and their hearts to preserve the history of our community.
The Depot would not be what it is today without dedicated volunteers like Jim, Lee, Mike, Gary, and Jamie.
They are more than volunteers ❤️ they are the heart, soul, and living history of the Depot.

08/30/2026

🚂 A Labor of Love — Still Rolling After 20+ Years! 🚂
For more than 20 years, the beloved HO Scale Model Train Layout at the Depot has been a favorite of visitors young and old. What began as a labor of love created by a group of dedicated volunteers has continued to operate through the years thanks to the passion, time, and commitment of volunteers who keep the trains rolling today.
Now, after two decades of operation, this treasured piece of the Depot is finally getting a long-overdue upgrade! 🎉
Thanks to a generous $5,000 grant from the Washington County Community Foundation, we are excited improve the HO Scale Model Train Layout and help preserve it for generations to come.
This layout isn't just trains and tracks — it's a piece of the Depot's history, built by volunteers, maintained by volunteers, and enjoyed by countless visitors over the years.
We are incredibly grateful to the Washington County Community Foundation for helping us give this special exhibit the attention it deserves. And, as always, a huge THANK YOU to the volunteers who have kept these trains running for more than 20 years! ❤️🚂
The trains are still rolling… and now they're getting ready for an exciting new chapter!

08/22/2026

The Train Order Hoop

Before radios and modern communication, railroad crews depended on train order hoops to receive important instructions while their train was still moving.

A railroad operator would place the written order into the hoop, and a crew member could reach out and sn**ch it as the train passed by—no stopping required!

That simple hoop helped keep trains moving safely and efficiently.

Photo courtesy of the Louisville & Nashville Railfan page

08/22/2026

🚂A New Chapter for Monon Caboose No. 81402🚂

For decades, the 1929 Monon Caboose No. 81402 has been a beloved piece of railroad history here at the Depot Railroad Museum. Now, thanks to an incredible restoration effort, this historic Caboose is ready to begin a new chapter.

Through a Heritage Support Grant of $50,000 from the Indiana Historical Society, along with a $7,500 match raised through the generosity of our donors, restoration work has been underway on our 1929 Monon Caboose No. 81402.

Greg Suvak, along with other skilled contractors including Roger Pennington, has worked tirelessly to bring this Caboose back to life.
The restoration has included:
New Siding
Repaired Cupola
Repaired Windows
New Reinforced Stairs
A Brand-New Concrete Platform
Fresh Paint inside and out
New Monon Decals Beautifully applied by Zink Signs
and much more!

This was not accomplished by one person. It took Grants, Donations, Volunteers, Historical Society Employees, Contractors and people who believe history is worth saving.

Join us during Old Settlers Day Weekend, October 3rd & 4th at the Depot Railroad Museum as we celebrate and unveil the newly restored look of Monon Caboose No. 81402!

Come see the caboose, walk inside, and experience a little piece of the railroad history that once rolled through our community.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this restoration possible. Thank you for believing in the importance of preserving the past.

Address

206 S College Avenue
Salem, IN
47167

Opening Hours

Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

(812) 883-1884

Website

http://johnhaycenter.org/, http://johnhaycenter.org/

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