The Cotton Belt Depot Museum is located at 210 East Oakwood Street, in the city of Tyler, county of Smith in the U.S. state of Texas.HistoryTyler, Texas had been a railroad hub since the Houston and Great Northern first came through the town in 1873. The depot was built in 1905. The railroad business added to the local economy, but fell victim to the emergence of more modern forms of transportation, and the depot closed its doors in 1956. The railroad deeded the depot over to the City of Tyler in 1988. After a renovation, the space was shared by the Tyler Transit Department and the museum, which is run by the Tyler Tap Chapter of the Cotton Belt Rail Historical Society.MuseumThe model train collection of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Bragg is the bulk of the hands-on exhibit. Other artifacts and memorabilia have been donated by various individuals. Tour groups are welcome.Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, and admission is free. The Tyler Tap Chapter of the Cotton Belt Historical Society also hosts the annual Cotton Belt Depot Model Train Show, held the last weekend in April, in Tyler.
