Meadville RailRoad Depot

Museums & Exhibits

Meadville Railroad Depot

In 1880 the Meadville Railway Company was established. Fundraising began and in the fall construction of the line and of the depot began. The track laying began in Linesville, PA and continued eastward to Meadville. It was completed to Meadville in the fall of 1881 and the depot was finished a week after the line began operating.

The B&LE leased the Railroad in 1891 and later purchased it. The Bessemer operated trains from its main line at Meadville Junction to Meadville until the late 1970’s. In later years the B&LE leased the depot to small businesses and eventually sold it. The last business that owned it was Meadville Farm & Garden. In early 2018 they filed for bankruptcy.

In January of 2019 French Creek Valley was able to purchase the land and building. In July of 2022 the Meadville Railroad Depot Museum had its grand reopening.

The museum is free to the public. Donations are appreciated.

The depot will be open Saturdays 1 – 4 PM on September 14, 21, and 28 – last regular days this year. Open for special events after that.

We will be open November 29 – Black Friday – 1 – 4 PM for Christmas displays and train sales.

A multi-purpose room is available for meetings, weddings, showers, and parties for a donation.

Full Size Display Equipment

Most are located in Pomona Park which is ¼ mile west of the Depot along Route 19

Erie Alco S2 Switcher #518

Donated by AC&J Railroad of Jefferson, Ohio

Caboose #356

On loan from the ELHS Historical Society

Box Car - 1908 Wood B&LE # 80412

On loan from the Lake Shore Railroad Historical Society

DL&W Snowplow #95904

WNY&P C630 Alco Locomotive

Donated by WNY&P currently in storage in the Meadville Yard

Model Railroading

The Teen Model Railroad Club was established in 2017 and in 2018 and 2019 the group assembled the Woodland Scenics Grand Valley HO scale Layout Kit. The Teen club is no longer active but the layout is on display and is operational. Two of our members, Lynda and John Snyder, detailed the layout.

A three rail Lionel layout is also operational and travels through the three main rooms of the museum. Major donors of track, locomotives, rolling stock, and power systems for the Lionel layout include Scott Mead, Daryl Eccles, and Dan Higham.