Cotton Belt Depot Museum Welcomes Visitors

TYLER — Business is booming at Tyler’s downtown Cotton Belt Depot Museum — home to model trains galore, along with various artifacts tracing railroad history in East Texas and beyond. Glenn Wilkins, the director of museum activities, was a guest on KTBB “Staff Meeting.” He says visitors come from far and wide, as shown by a map at the museum on which people place pins to show where they’re from. According to Wilkins, since the map was hung in 2006, guests have come in from all 50 states and 31 foreign countries. Wilkins says there’s lots of fun for the whole family at the museum, where the highly valued Bragg Collection of model trains is a centerpiece. He adds that you’re welcome to add to the museum’s displays, either by making a gift or lending something.

Admission to the museum is free, but you’re urged to call ahead if you’re planning on bringing a large group. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org and click on the “Visitors” tab for more information. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online.