Our New Innovation Hall
The trains of tomorrow. Experience them today.
Hybrid engines for cleaner fuels. Positive train control. Modern-day command operation centers. All of these technological innovations—and more—will be on display when our new Innovation Hall opens in a few months.
Located on the top floor of the South Car Works building, the Innovation Hall will display the present and future of railroading technology. Featuring interactive exhibits on innovations that are contributing to a faster, safer, more efficient, and smarter rail network, the collection will demonstrate the power of possibility.
The future is fast.
Step inside the Innovation Hall and you’ll be immersed in stories of current and future propulsion methods, the future of commuting, and tomorrow’s rail careers. And you won’t just stand there—you’ll push the limits of speed and efficiency by activating a levitating crate, simulating magnetic forces, and exploring how data and design drive ultra-fast, frictionless transportation.
The future is safe.
Innovations in drone inspections, infrastructure maintenance, and worker safety— inside the Innovation Hall, you’ll discover how technology helps prevent accidents, reduce human error, and improve emergency response through interactive experiences and macro displays.
The future is connected.
In our Smart Yard, you’ll be able to explore the complex, interconnected technologies that keep modern rail yards running efficiently—and the human expertise behind it all. And when you step up to our Data Wall, you’ll see the vast network of rail moving through the U.S. and be able to review data inputs and simulate decisions made by rail industry professionals on a day-to-day basis.
The future is here.
The exhibits in the Innovation Hall truly round out our collection, providing the missing piece to what is already the most comprehensive collection of 19th century rolling stock in the Western Hemisphere and significant pieces of 20th century rolling stock innovations. Welcome to a place where the past, present, and possibilities of rail come together—and all generations do too!