Lehnis Railroad Museum Keeps Brownwood's Rail Story Moving

Across from the Santa Fe Depot and Harvey House, the Martin and Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum gives Brownwood's rail past a place to keep running. Inside are railroad tools, photos, stories, old equipment, and model trains in motion, all tied to Brownwood, Central Texas, and the wider Southwest.

The heart of it came from Martin and Frances Lehnis, who farmed east of Early and saved rail pieces for years. Martin worked for the Santa Fe railroad for almost 50 years. After he retired, he turned to model trains and even built a 7 1/2-inch gauge railroad on the farm for children to ride.

The family collection included a 1931 Santa Fe caboose, a 1929 Pullman superintendent's car, and the Kress Depot. Brownwood opened the museum to the public on September 14, 2007, during the city's Reunion Celebration. It also serves as the visitor center, which fits the place: start with the old trains, then step outside and look across the street. The museum turns a big regional story into something you can see at rail-car scale.