Texas Transportation Museum
11731 Wetmore Road, San Antonio TX 78247
(210) 490-3554

TTM News

July 2009: TTM receives 100 tons of railroad track ballast rock and 100 tons of road base material as a donation from Vulcan Materials, Capital Cement and Bartell Zachry of Zachry Construction. Thanks to a generous donation from Roy Gilbert of "SMT truck Lines," work to upgrade our existing mainline tracks and to re-open a road around the rear of our 40 acre property will begin almost immediately. This work will be be done by "Trac-Work, Inc." at a greatly reduced rate, also as a donation.

June 2009: TTM takes part in the Texas Folklife Festival for the second year in a row. We showed our 1929 Ford Model A truck and a large, operating garden railroad exhibit with two sets of tracks, thanks to SAGRES, the San Antonio Garden railroad Engineers.

May 2009: TTM enjoys it's best May attendance figures ever, an indication that despite the tough economy, people recognize that TTM provides excellent value for their entertainment dollar.

May 2009: TTM provides vehicles for five different organizations, including the San Antonio Conservation Society, the German Club, Laurel Heights United Methodist, The San Antonio Cheer Leaders and, as a joint float with TTM, "Special Olympics San Antonio," our third year working together in the Flambeau Parade.

April 2009: Our third annual Ford Model T show is a resounding success, thanks in no small part to the generosity of the event's sponsor, the Red McCombs Automotive Group. "Special Olympics San Antonio" take part for the first time as joint beneficiaries and have a wonderful time.

March 2009: TTM manager publishes his second book on local transportation history, “San Antonio On Wheels.” His first book, “The Railroads of San Antonio and South Central Texas” came out in 2006. Both were issued by Maverick Publishing. See bottom of page for more details.

December 2008; Attendance and revenues at "Santa's Railroad Wonderland," our tenth year for this most family friendly holiday season event, break all previous records. Donations for "Toys For Tots" also reach an all time high.

November 2008: Second annual month long residency by SAGRES, the San Antonio Garden Railroad Engineers, at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens goes very well and leads to the donation to TTM by the Botanical Gardens of a fully restored REA - Railroad Express Agency - platform luggage wagon.

June 2008: TTM takes part in the annual Texas Folklife Festival at the Institute of Texan Cultures for the first time in decades. Thanks to a lot of hard work by volunteers belonging to the "T Fords of Texas" and some very generous individual donations for new tires, the museum's 1924 Ford Model T truck is able to take part in its first public event in almost three decades as well.

June 2008: TTM is obliged to increase prices for general admissions, the party caboose and picnic tables, special events and even school visits. This is the first raise since January 2005. TTM's Ford Model T hits the streets for the first time in 25 years. It took a lot of time, money and effort but the vehicle, a TT truck, runs well.

May 2008: Second annual Ford Model T show, held in conjunction with the "T Fords of Texas," San Antonio's Model T club, is a huge success. Sponsored once again by the Red McCombs Automotive Group, the show attracts 1,200 visitors, 38 Model Ts, some coming from Houston, Austin and even San Angelo. Lots of media coverage before and after the show.

April 2008: The Old Spanish Trail Association completes their exhibit in Zucht building display cabinet about the successful completion of the first southern transcontinental highway in 1927. The road ran from St. Augustine in Florida through San Antonio to San Diego in California.

March 2008: Our 1942 General Electric 44 Tonner diesel electric locomotive is used to power passenger train service for the first time in a decade. Plans to fully restore it, which include either rebuilding or replacing one of its two engines, are in the works. Our 1929 Ford Model AA truck receives a new set of tires, costing over $1,100.00.

February 2008: TTM's 1924 Ford Model TT truck is mobile again for the first time in 25 years, thanks to the efforts of members of the local Ford Model T club, the "T Fords of Texas." More work to make it road legal is still needed but it runs and stops well.

January 2008: Main point of entrance and ticket office moved to historic depot nearer the gate from its old location in the main display building at the top of the hill. This follows creation of ADA compliant parking space and path to depot. Gift shop location moved to depot freight room also.

December 2007: TTM's annual Christmas event attracts a record number of visitors. Attendance climbs 33% to 4,748. TTM achieves yet another record year for attendance over the year. We experience 21% growth which comes to 15,760 visitors in 2007. The Union Pacific donates almost one mile's worth of usable railroad ties for our planned track extension.

November 2007: TTM's garden railroad club, SAGRES, the San Antonio Garden Railroad Engineers, installs five separate layouts at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens in a first of its kind collaboration between the two organizations. The arrangement is hugely successful.

October 2007: First annual Ford Model T show, held in conjunction with the "T Fords of Texas," San Antonio's Model T club is a limited success. The show, sponsored by the Red McCombs Automotive Group attracts 16 vehicles and good media coverage.

September 2007: Zucht building interior re-arranged for better display of collections. Donation of large collection of railroad artwork and other items by local businessman Bruce Flohr. Volunteers from the Model Ts of Texas" get TTM's 1924 Ford Model T running for the first time in 25 years, just in time for the museum's big Model T show - See announcement above.

August 2007: 1928 Durant Star Coupe returns to service following work performed by museum volunteer Ben B., and other

August 2007: 1929 Ford Model AA truck returned to museum after significant refurbishment performed at "Ray's Model A Repairs" thanks to its owner, Mrs. Pat Monfrey.

July 2007: 1924 Buffalo fire truck returned to museum after work on front end and radiator completed by SMT Truck Lines.

June 2007: Local company Holman Boiler Group begins donated effort to complete work necessary to get #1, our 1924 Baldwin 0-4-0 steam locomotive, back into service. (Projected completion date - Spring 2008)

May 2007: Surplus display cabinets from the Pioneer Hall Museum delivered

April 2007: Roof installed on flat car converted into passenger car, complete with ADA lift.
       TTM successfully sends two vehicles into all the main Fiesta Parades.

March 2007: Work to improve ADA access to historic depot begins

February 2007: Successful and well attended safety classes for railroad crews held

January 2007: TTM announces 29.5% growth in attendance in 2006.
       Name of Christmas Extravaganza changed to: SANTA'S RAILROAD WONDERLAND

December 2006: TTM experiences best ever attendance at annual Christmas Extravaganza

ONGOING PROJECTS

Restoration Project to save the Pullman "McKeever" and 404 Business car

TTM is in the middle of its biggest ever fund raising campaign since it was created in 1964. We need to raise $150,000.00 to fully restore the Pullman sleeper car "McKeever" and the Santa Fe Business Car 404 plus build a shade to protect them into the future.

For more information, click •McKeever & 404 Restoration• for details.

“San Antonio on Wheels” and "The Railroads of San Antonio and South Central Texas,"
by TTM Manager Hugh Hemphill are now available.

  

For details click •The Railroads of San Antonio and South Central Texas•

Public Speakers for clubs and organizations
in San Antonio and surrounding communities

TTM has a number of seasoned speakers available to give talks to your organization.

For more information, click •TTM Public Speakers• for details.

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