Railroad Museum, Chillicothe

About Railroad Museum

The Chillicothe Caboose is a railroad museum housed in an authentic caboose built in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Visitors explore exhibits showcasing local history, railroads, and community stories, including railroad artifacts and period displays that document how cabooses evolved from four-wheel designs to eight-wheel models after Ohio laws changed in 1913. The museum features information about the original wooden construction and the steel reinforcements added in the 1920s that created I-5 model cabooses. Exhibits also include ancient artifacts and items reflecting modern innovations alongside the railroad heritage collections. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday with regular hours, and private tours are available by arrangement. The caboose is located in downtown Chillicothe, Ohio, where it serves as a landmark for visitors interested in transportation history and local heritage.