Take a trip back in time to when trains were the fastest and classiest way to go at the Rock Island Railroad Museum. As the former Western Division Headquarters for the Rock Island, Fairbury dispatched all Rock Island trains west of Des Moines before closing in 1980. The main floor of the depot houses museum exhibits displaying Rock Island memorabilia and a gift shop. The second floor, which served as offices for the Western Division, now includes an extensive HO scale model train display, research library, public meeting space, and headquarters of the Jefferson County Historical Society.
The museum grounds include a garden park which has been re-created in the same location as the historic flower gardens once enjoyed by Rock Island passengers, and a memorial wall honors Rock Island employees and families. Open year-round, Fri-Sun, 1-5 p.m. $2 per person suggested donation.