All aboard! The ALCO Train on the 3rd floor has been a beloved part of City Museum since we opened in October of 1997. The battery-powered train is modeled after an American Locomotive Company (ALCO) line, which were used by many railroads across the U.S., including the New York Central and other lines running into St. Louis.
The “City Express” engine is 1/8th the size of the original, weighs 800 pounds, and uses two DC motors run by three 12-volt batteries.
The train was donated to City Museum by a native Saint Louisan, Samuel B. Murphy, and his wife, Barbara C. Murphy. A lifelong train enthusiast, Sam Murphy had this model built by David and Will Kloppenberg in Union, Missouri. It took two years to complete and made its first run in 1997. Murphy wanted to share his love of trains with the world by donating this model.
When looking for a location to run the tracks in the museum, the crew needed to find a spot that visitors did not need to cross over. They decided on the 3rd floor and laid the tracks to circle the freight elevators running through the center of the building. The circle also had to be large enough to make sure it did not topple going around the corners.
Colloquially called the “City Express,” the train has had numerous conductors over the years. Pictured below are Marlin and Robleigh, both decked out in conductor ensembles.
Within the circle of train tracks, there is a tiny town with its own model train running through the neighborhood. Much of the exhibit was constructed by St. Louis premier model rail builder John Ellecracht.
The railroad exhibit in the train yard includes a Pete Fordyce HO-series set with pieces contributed by St. Louis’ Mississippi Valley N Scalers Club. In addition to his career as a rehabilitation therapist, Fordyce was a train enthusiast. His personal model, a photo-real depiction of the Pine Bluff to Little Rock leg of the Missouri Pacific Line in 1963, took five years to build. When Fordyce became ill in the 1990s, the family home was sold. A third party bought the house later, and not sharing Fordyce’s interest in trains, donated one third of the huge model train set to City Museum.
Since coming to City Museum, the miniature train town has had many additions and temporary installations inside the town. Andy Fuller, who has worked for the museum for over 7 years, spends every minute of his free time adding to the town. Using a 3D printer and other fabrication techniques he built sea serpents, windmills, castles, and detailed battles scenes involving dinosaurs and spaceships. His favorite piece is the hot air balloon over the building depicting Union Station.
If you look closely, you will also see a nod to City Museum with a mantis and large slide on the rooftop of an industrial building. Look even closer and you will see a tiny man climbing up the corner of the building under the bus. That guy is a reference to when City Museum co-founder Bob Cassilly climbed up the southwest side of the museum using the handholds installed in the brick; but that is a story for another time.
In 2024 the train was closed and underwent repairs and upgrades. One of the biggest projects was replacing all 658 railroad ties on the track. On the train itself, the wheels and floor had to be replaced; The train reopened in 2024 to the delight of many young train enthusiasts, and Fox 2 reporter Tim Ezell, who was an honorary train conductor one morning July.
“City Express” currently operates from 11am-5pm on days that we’re open, though it will pause service during Circus Harmony performances. Guests must be under 48″ tall to ride.