School and Organized Group Visits - Texas Transportation Museum

School and Organized Group Visits

Weekday Group Visits

The museum has a well thought out tour for every age group. They will be given a guided tour of the museum by knowledgeable docents, who will provide age appropriate information as they show the museum to group members.

TRAIN RIDES INCLUDED FOR ALL PRE-BOOKED GROUPS

To ensure we cover our costs, there is a $60 minimum per group.
TTM requires a non-refundable 50% deposit for all groups at least one week before the intended date of your visit.
TTM will re-schedule visits due to inclement weather or other significant situations.

Cost

Children: $3

Teachers and Chaperones: FREE

Weekend Group Visits

TTM welcomes groups on Saturday and Sunday but does not provide tour guides or docents on these days. The minimum size required to get the group rate is 15. Unlimited train rides included in admission. One person only must pay for the entire group otherwise individual admissions will be charged at the regular rate of $8 per adult, $5 per child or the family rate of $22 for two adults and up to 5 children under age 12.

Cost

Individuals: $4

Minimum group size: 15

Booking Your Group

To book your group or get more information, please phone the museum during regular business hours.

For additional information about groups and tours other than booking contact the Hugh Hemphill, TTM Manager.

Providing educational tours is one of the most important functions of the Texas Transportation Museum. We have been in the business for over forty years. When it comes to school groups, it's impossible to calculate the educational value the students will get from their visit. They will go beyond reading and watching TV shows and actually experience how the railroads in particular helped to develop this entire nation. These could be the most cost effective dollars you will ever spend on their education.

A 200 plus school group visit in April, 2011.

From bus to train in just a few moments. George Gervin Academy visit, April 2011.

All aboard!! George Gervin Academy visit, April 2011.

Listening to a museum docent. George Gervin Academy visit, April 2011.

Walking around our huge private grounds, free of traffic. George Gervin Academy visit, April 2011.

Lunch before we leave. George Gervin Academy visit, April 2011.

TTM welcomes groups of all kinds, from from day cares to school groups to folks on tour buses. We are open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We can also be open on Thursdays for large groups, providing it is booked sufficiently in advance, to make sure we have enough docents available.

A school group of 40 in April, 2011

Moving on from the train ride. San Antonio Science and Technology Academy visit, April 2011.

Moving onto the static rail display. San Antonio Science and Technology Academy visit, April 2011.

TTM provides an educational experience you won't find in any book or computer!

At a science exhibit in the main display building, under the watchful eye of former board chairman, Frank Brogan.

Just a-waitin' for a train.

Former board chairwoman, Marian Planas, demonstrates exhibits in the depot baggage room.

Train rides are included in admission, except for really small weekday groups. For many youngsters, this will be their very first train ride. Reading about railroads in books or on the internet cannot compare with the real live experience of riding the rails or seeing a genuine traditional depot and walking through old fashioned passenger cars that became sleepers at night as even what we consider to be relatively short journeys today sometimes took days in days gone by.

Everyone, except Mr. Happy in the back row, seems to be enjoying the presentation from the curator, Jared Davis.

We've been known to have a group or two on Thursdays.

A cub scout group visit supervised by board vice-chairman, Ben Bennett.

There is a great deal to be gained from breaking away from the confines of the class room and experiencing what you are learning about first hand. Travel by railroad is no longer a regular experience for the majority of us and yet they were so instrumental in making this country what it is today. Our docents will take the time to guide groups through our huge facility and give your students an incomparable educational experience.

School group visit.

School group visit. Riding in the open flat car.

School group visit. Riding in the caboose.

School group visit. Passing the static display, which can be walked through.

Not only did the railroads open up the western frontiers, and move countless millions of people and tons of material, they created many characteristics of modern life we take for granted now, like standardized time. They were also at the very beginnings of the telecommunications era. Telegraph wires followed the railroads and made instant communication across the continent a reality with very efficient telegram services.

School group visit. Learning about the historic depot from museum curator Jared Davis.

School group visit. Looking through the main display building.

School group visit. A chaperone explains about the 1963 Lincoln convertible.

School group visit. Down at the garden railroad.

Of course, we have other exhibits too, including our automobiles, fire trucks and horse carriages. We have several operating model railroad layouts which provide children with a stimulating perspective on the size and scope of what railroads still do for the country. One of the layouts is a large scale outdoor operation which again gives your students an opportunity to be outside while still learning.

TTM is a registered 501(c)(3) charity

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

Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
(No admission after 2:30 PM)

Sat & Sun: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(No admission after 4:30 PM)

Unlimited Train Rides w/ Admission

Sat & Sun Train Schedule
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Admission & General Information

We accept:

TTM Special Events - 2012

Ford Model T Show
Sat & Sun May 5 & 6

San Antonio Model Train Show
Sat & Sun October 6 & 7

Halloween Spook-Track-Ula
Sat & Sun October 27 & 28

Santa's Railroad Wonderland
December
Sat 1, Sun 2, Sat 8, Sun 9
Sat 15, Sun 16, Sat 22, Sun 23

Online Offers

TTM's Lionel O27/O Boxcar
Limited Edition of 500! Order Today!

Click for more information