New Outdoor Railroad Museum Opens Along the B&O Trail in Brownsburg

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Visitors to the B&O Trail now have a new way to experience Brownsburg’s railroad history.

On July 4, the B&O Trail Association officially dedicated a new outdoor railroad museum located west of the Green Street crossing. Created in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the museum honors the railroad heritage that helped shape Brownsburg. The B&O Trail was a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad corridor that was transformed into a community trail in the late 90s thanks to Diana Virgil.

Two men are preparing to unveil a sign for the B&O Trail Outdoor Railroad Museum on a sunny day. One man is holding a flag while the other is assisting with the unveiling. The sign provides historical information about the museum.

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Made possible through an America250 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, the museum’s first phase features historic railroad artifacts discovered during the development of the B&O Trail. Visitors can see an original whistle post and an iron bridge plaque. The centerpiece of the exhibit is an early 20th-century railroad telephone hut, which was once used by railroad crews to communicate before locomotives were equipped with onboard radios.

A stone marker with the letter 'W' stands next to a sign reading 'Whistle Post,' alongside a banner celebrating America's 250th birthday in 2026. The background features a green park area with benches and a wooden pavilion.
A historic structure resembling a phone booth, adorned with red, white, and blue decorations, situated in a park setting with trees and a fence in the background.
Two women discussing a historical plaque in an outdoor park setting, with trees and a pavilion visible in the background.

The open-air museum is the first of its kind in Hendricks County.

Looking ahead, the B&O Trail Association plans to continue expanding the museum in future phases, adding railroad artifacts and interpretive elements that tell the story of the corridor’s past while celebrating the B&O Trail’s legacy.

The outdoor railroad museum is open year-round during regular trail hours and is located along the B&O Trail, west of the Green Street crossing in Brownsburg. Parking is available at the nearby Green Street trailhead.

Author

  • Shelby Abner is the Community Relations Senior Manager for the Town of Brownsburg. Raised in Hendricks County, Shelby and her husband have called Brownsburg home since 2016. With her camera in hand, you’ll often find her exploring the town, supporting local small businesses, and spending quality time with her family at the parks. Shelby takes pride in the growth that Brownsburg has experienced over the years and appreciates the wonderful amenities and assets that the community has to offer, including special events, diverse dining options, and unique shopping experiences.

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