Lincoln Train Museum — Attraction in Gettysburg

Original post 6/19/24: I was disappointed to find that my experience at this museum aligns with the numerous negative reviews I've read. It appears that the few positive reviews are suspiciously glowing and likely written by the owner themselves. Unfortunately, my visit did not meet my expectations. The entrance was cluttered with items for sale, which felt more like a thrift store than a museum. The front desk was unattended until a staff member emerged, barefoot, to collect our admission fee. While there were some interesting exhibits, the majority of the train display was inoperable. I advise readers to look beyond the dubious positive reviews and heed the warnings from genuine visitors. This museum fails to deliver value for the price ($43 in my case). The overall impression is of a hastily thrown-together collection with little attention to detail or effort. I regret not researching more thoroughly before our visit and urge others to spend their money elsewhere. If there was an option to rate this place zero out of five, I would select zero. It's a shame that this museum misses the mark so completely.

Update post 6/20/24: I'd like to correct my previous statement regarding the admission price. I paid $38.16 for four adult tickets, not $43. The correct calculation is: 4 tickets x $9 each = $36, plus 6% sales tax = $2.16, totaling $38.16. I'm glad to have been only $4.84 off in my initial statement, and I'm even happier that the error was in my favor! I find it amusing that the museum owner claims to know me and have me on video. However, I didn't provide my name, nor did anyone in my group, so they can't identify me. It's also laughable that they think all negative reviews are written by the same person using different names. I stand by my original assessment: this museum fails to deliver value for the price.

Updated post 4/19/25: I recently reviewed old posts and noticed the owner changed their response to my review. I've attached screenshots of the original and updated replies. I'd like to clarify some points. Since my mother paid in cash, there wouldn't be a credit card with my name on it anyway. Her grandson, my son, wanted to visit, but I didn't want to pay because I thought it looked like a hole in the wall. I'm also curious about how you claim to have footage of me in the gift shop when you don't have a profile picture or any idea what I look like. If you've alerted authorities about harassment and stalking, please provide the detective's contact information. You claim I'm not a thief, but it seems you're the one who's trying to deceive people and take their hard-earned money. I provide honest reviews to help others make informed decisions, and I stand by the accuracy of my feedback. My goal is to share my genuine experiences, allowing potential visitors to use their own judgment when deciding whether to visit. As a combat veteran and retired US Army Military Police, I'm confident in my integrity. I'm happy to take a lie detector test to clear up any issues. Perhaps you should consider...

Stepping into this "museum" felt more like walking into a cluttered grandma’s house than a place of historical significance—the kind where every corner is packed with odd knick-knacks that haven’t been relevant since the '70s. The gift shop, if you can call it that, resembled a thrift store filled with random trinkets that even Goodwill might pass up.

For this peculiar experience, you’re charged $9—a fee that, in other places, might seem reasonable, but here feels more like a donation just to keep this quirky operation afloat.

The museum claims to focus on Lincoln’s funeral train after his assassination, but don’t get your hopes up. There’s virtually no historical content related to that solemn event. The so-called “train ride experience” is really just a video that feels more like a political rally—complete with a generic, overly patriotic message about how great America is, rather than anything connected to Lincoln’s final journey.

Now for the main attraction—or warning, depending on your viewpoint: the owner. Imagine a grown man wandering around in bare feet, exuding the kind of unsettling energy you’d expect from someone who probably thinks tin foil hats are a fashion staple. The “creepy old guy vibes” were off the charts. I left feeling like I needed more than a shower to shake off the weirdness. Even the comfort of good food and my wife’s beautiful tatas (which I adore) couldn’t fully lift the funk.

And if you’re considering leaving a negative review, brace yourself—this guy doesn’t just take it badly; he takes it to the police. He’s been known to report reviewers for “stalking and harassment,” accusing them of using fake names to attack his operation. He’ll even offer prayers for your “healing and blessings.” Honestly, someone should be sending those prayers back his way because if anyone needs them, it’s him.

In short: Unless you’re into bizarre, uncomfortable experiences that make you feel like your time and energy have been thoroughly wasted, steer clear. Save your money and visit a museum that actually honors Lincoln’s legacy.

Update: Owner thinks it’s the same person writing the reviews but it isn’t. I was there this past weekend paid 19.99 for two people to visit what is considered a travesty of a museum. After being paid we were handed two tokens to place into a tiny turntable in order to be admitted to the museum. While in the museum and before entering the so called Lincoln train we had to squeeze a handle that connected to little whistle and the owners response to this stupid little whistle is “it’s silly but it’s fun” So yeah if you think it’s the same person it’s not how about you take criticism and actually fix the place. And yes I used a different name because the owner is crazy and would probably steal my...

On our short visit to Gettysburg, this museum was something that interested my son, who is eleven. The cost was $7 for an adult, $4 for a child, making it a total of $19.80 with tax.

Advertised are: "Experience our new operating train layout presenting President Lincoln's funeral journey with his son Willie from Washington DC to Springfield Illinois displayed with audio and video history of the experience!" - This layout, which sounds like it would be huge and really cool, is approximately an 8 foot square. The train just circles repeatedly, with terrible music playing. When the train stops at a "city", it's one model building. The information given at each stop is actually a bit interesting and informative.

"Board our new simullated funeral train car, The United States, and ride with President Abraham Lincoln's spirit on a journey through and tribute to the history of our nation!" - My wife said it was horrible, I sensed it would be awful, and avoided going in. She said it had nothing to do with the procession home, but was a long-winded snore fest about what has occurred in America since Lincoln served as our President.

"Explore our toy train collection containing model toy trains fron the 1800's to the present day." - In fairness, this was the best part of the museum. I wasn't very impressed, but I didn't hate it.

"Journey with Mr. Jim Getty as President Abraham Lincon as he walks with you through the history of our nation along our video hallway of America!" - This was the entrance into the museum. I very nearly turned my family around to tell the front desk I wanted my money back. It's not worth your time.

"Explore layouts, displays and historical artifacts of Abraham Lincoln, our founding fathers, and other great Americans as well as our native lands and the Wild West with its striggles, heroes and horses.

Recall the battles and wars our nation has endured and pay tribute to our heroes, the soldiers, veterans, law enforcement and EMS of our country.

Explore memorabilia of our sports figures and Hollywood stars."

Frankly all of this can be summed up as this: Crap. There was a ton of yard sale material, low valued sports cards, a few autographs, lunchboxes, all kinds of kitschy junk.

I wish I had read the reviews of this horrible museum before our trip. I would have not wasted $20. Trust me, your money will be better...