City Park Train Hub

06/24/2026

On this day in 1992, a railroad strike against CSX shut down freight shipping across the country.

Due to several mergers and the slow conglomeration of railroad companies, the amount of freight companies had shrunk from over 10,000 at the beginning of the 20th century to just seven at the end. If one union in one of those companies decided to go on strike, it effectively shut down all rails across the country.

This is what happened in June of 1992.

Several unions had been in talks with CSX to negotiate better pay, more sick leave, and other quality of life improvements, when one union went rogue and began a strike. It’s important to note that at least one source claims that these particular workers were locked out of their equipment, leading some to conclude that CSX wanted a strike to prompt federal intervention.

Regardless, the strike shut down rail for two days, with estimates saying that over one billion dollars of revenue was lost each day. President George H. W. Bush quickly formed three emergency boards to deal with the strike, and the result was the Railway Strike bill.

The bill required that both union and corporate representatives meet with a federal mediator before a strike begins, essentially ending the 1992 strike. It goes without saying that the workers did not receive any of the benefits they were seeking at the start. With the strike over, railroad workers would not threaten a general strike again until 2022.

Want to learn more about railroad labor history? Visit the Train Hub during our operating hours. We are open Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm.

06/19/2026

Today we celebrate Juneteenth which marks the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation on June 19, 1865. On this day, trains arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver Union troops led by General Gordon Granger. These soldiers later traveled by train to deliver the news of freedom to slaves in the area.

To experience more railroad history, the City Park Train Hub is open Fridays and Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 12-4.

06/17/2026

It's once more time for ! We have an easy one this week, but with a extra challenge!

Most of you will recognize these artifacts, as you can still find them in use today on modern tracks. However, the golden version has a special purpose. The extra challenge today is: can you name the special purpose of the golden artifact?

Comment below with your guess, then come into the museum to see if you got the answer right! The Train Hub is open Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm.

06/14/2026

June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. On this date in 1777, the Second Continental Congress officially adopted the basic design of the American flag we fly today. It is also the US Army's birthday, having been established on this date in 1775.

Railroads bore the American flag as they traveled across the country to keep far flung towns connected to the rest of the population and helped the country grow. They also transported Army troops for the Civil War and to ports for the Spanish-American War, both World Wars and the Korean War.

Learn more about the railroads' role in the growth of the United States and as transportation during military conflicts at the City Park Train Hub, open Fridays and Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 12-4.

06/11/2026

June 11th, 1897, was a dark day in American history. It was this day that Owney the Railroad Dog passed away.

Owney was a stray dog taken in by Railway Mail Service agents. The RMS was part of the United States Postal Service, delivering and sorting mail while a train was moving down the tracks. At every stop, the RMS agent would toss out that station's mail in a large mail bag, and continue sorting. The job was dangerous, as any fire or derailments on the train would mean certain death for RMS agents.

Owney was quickly adopted by the RMS and became a good luck charm, as no train that had Owney experienced life-threatening dangers. As he traveled, Owney was given honors and medals, and his jacket became weighed down with the amount of pins. It was no question that everyone loved Owney!

As Owney became older, it was decided that his traveling days should be put at an end. Still, the people of the postal service loved Owney, and so he would occasionally come out of retirement to make the rounds. One of these trips brought him to Toledo, Ohio.

Details are murky, as every source seems to give a slightly different story. Some sources say that Owney had grown more aggressive in his old age, and bit a local reporter. Some say he had been mistreated, and the bite was in defense. Either way, the Toldeo postmaster asked the Toledo sheriff to put Owney down.

Today, Owney is remembered as a loyal dog and good luck charm. Workers for the RMS chipped in money to get Owney taxidermized, and you can visit him today at the National Postal Museum. Want to learn more about the RMS? Visit the Train Hub during our operating hours. We are open Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm.

06/10/2026

Time for another installment in ! It's another tool that was used in rail shops and roundhouses alike!

You might be able to guess that this is a wrench, but it's a special type of wrench named after it's unique shape!

Think you have the answer? Comment below with your guess, then come into the museum to see if you got the answer right! The Train Hub is open Fridays and Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm.

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

Kids are fascinated with the patriotic toilet in Caboose 1885 but have you ever wondered how the men manning the engine managed their bathroom breaks? This month’s Changing Tracks exhibit “No Flush Needed” details how the operators of Engine 202 took care of business.

The City Park Train Hub is open Fridays and Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 12-4.