By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com
If you’ve ever cruised down 15th Street through Plano’s old city center—taking in the vintage buildings, maybe grabbing a wood-fired slice at Urban Crust—you’ve rolled right past a hidden gem of Texas history.
Tucked beside the DART tracks in Downtown Plano sits a red-brick time machine: the Interurban Railway Museum. It’s where kids become train conductors, history buffs geek out over vintage railcars, and longtime locals get a nostalgic jolt back to the days when electric rail—not I-75—moved North Texas.
A Station with a Story
The museum is housed in a former depot and substation of the Texas Electric Railway, which began operations in 1908. Through a series of mergers, the line became the largest interurban railway operator in the South, connecting Dallas to Denison, Corsicana, and Waco before shutting down in 1948.
According to Kim Hils, Executive Director of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, the electric train system “served as a commuter train, connecting the small towns for passengers to travel to work, appointments, and social events, similarly to the current DART railway.”
Meet Car 360
The star of the museum is Car 360, a restored wood-and-steel interurban car built in 1911. What makes it unique? It’s one of the few that contains a mail room, a rare feature among Texas Electric Railway cars.
“Both the exterior and interior have been restored to accurately reflect the time period of the company’s operations,” Hils explained, “and [Car 360] is available for tours during the museum’s open hours.”
Learning That Sticks
One fact that still surprises visitors today? That over 100 years ago, electric power—not coal or diesel—was what kept these trains moving.
The museum also features a model display of early 20th-century Downtown Plano, showing historic buildings that still stand today. “We show how essential trains were, especially before cars were a common way to travel, to connecting people and the rural towns,” Hils said.
New Exhibit on the Way
The Interurban Railway Museum is expanding in 2025. “We are excited about our new display room that will open later this year, by early October,” Hils shared. “In this brand-new exhibit, the history of the Texas Electric Railway company, Car 360, and the Interurban Railway Museum will be showcased.”
The museum also hosts Storytime Sessions every Friday at 11 a.m., featuring songs, stories, puppets, and train tours for early learners.
Why It Matters to TX-03
The Interurban Railway Museum isn’t just a charming relic—it’s a living reminder of how infrastructure, innovation, and local connection built the North Texas we know today. Long before highways crisscrossed Collin County, electric railroads helped shape our towns, powered small business growth, and brought communities closer together. That legacy still echoes in the way Plano, Allen, McKinney, and other TX-03 cities grow and connect today.
One fact that surprises many visitors—young and old—is that over 100 years ago, these trains ran entirely on electricity, not coal. As Kim Hils pointed out, it’s a detail that often catches people off guard and sparks curiosity about how forward-thinking this technology really was. It’s a reminder that innovation isn’t new here—it’s part of our DNA.
Preserving this history is more than nostalgia—it’s civic memory. It teaches younger generations how technology, civic planning, and everyday people came together to build something bigger than themselves. In a district that prides itself on progress, the Interurban Railway Museum is a powerful anchor to our shared past—and a reminder that public investment in connection and community is what moves us forward.
Whether you’re a student, a longtime resident, or a newcomer, take a ride through history. It just might change how you see the tracks we’re still laying today.
Plan Your Visit
The Interurban Railway Museum is open to the public and free of charge:
- Tuesday–Friday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
You’ll find it at 901 E. 15th Street, just steps from the DART station and Haggard Park. It’s the perfect family stop while enjoying everything Downtown Plano has to offer. For more info, visit planoconservancy.org.
🎟️ Ready to hop on board? Pack the kids, charge your phone for plenty of photos, and spend a day reliving the railway days that built modern Plano. And don’t forget to thank the volunteers who keep this historic gem running strong.
📸 Tag your visit with #TX3DNews and let us know your favorite part of the ride!