All Aboard!

Imagine the adventures that the impressive Reuben Wells, a 35-foot-long, 55-ton steam engine, had in its day. Travel back to 1890s Madison, Indiana, where this very engine conquered the steepest railroad grade in the United States. The most powerful locomotive in the world back then, the Reuben Wells will continue to be right here for you to see after All Aboard! reopens.

The Children's Museum was built around this icon—both figuratively and literally! When our current facility was built, the Reuben Wells was placed into the Lower Level of the unfinished building. Once safely installed inside, the final wall was bricked up behind it.

That’s right, The Children’s Museum was literally built around the Reuben Wells. When the modern campus opened in 1976, the mighty engine that had been central to transportation between Madison and Indianapolis had a new, permanent home as an anchor to five floors of fun at the biggest and best children’s museum in the world.

That's not a caboose. It's a tool car!

Tool cars were used to carry tools, equipment, and workmen to repair trains and track, and to clean up after train wrecks.

This tool car was not used with the Reuben Wells locomotive. It was built in 1808 by the Pennsylvania Railroad and was probably used somewhere east of Pittsburgh.

As part of this refresh, we're making improvemets to the Tool Car, ensuring it's accessible for everyone.