Cotton Belt Depot Museum — Attraction in Tyler

Definitely worth a visit. No entrance fee. When you come in you are asked to sign the guest book which has donation collection by it. We weren't pressured to donate, so as we left we donated what we thought the experience was worth. There are a lot of model trains for kids (or model enthusiasts) to look at; there is also a toy train set to entertain young kids. Also on display are many pictures and railway artifacts. The curator/tour guide is very knowledgeable and friendly. If you just walk through without asking questions or reading anything, you will be here for about 30 minutes. We asked lots of questions, so we were here for an hour and a half. We could have asked more questions, lol. The second level is not wheelchair accessible. The stairs have a hand rail, so people using walkers might be able to go up the 5 or so steps with assistance. The walkways are narrow on both levels, so a walker can barely get through if someone is available to move obstructions out of the way. (My father has a wide walker, so I think any size walker could get through.) The step stools for children to see the upper levels of the model tracks are necessary. My only criticism was that folding chairs that obstructed corners for my father were unnecessary and should be...

If you plan on taking cute pictures of your little ones or family here, at this PUBLIC place...DON'T! I know, people have been taking pictures here for decades, I even took my own senior pictures here 13 years ago. But, according to a miserable worker at the museum, it is illegal. He threatened us with calling in CHILD ENDANGERMENT on us for having my child's 1 yr photoshoot here this morning. Us taking pictures was far worse than the vagrants and trash lying around everywhere? According to this miserable, bored old man. My baby still got her pics, but the entire photoshoot was cut short. (I will add, I don't think the homeless people are bothering anyone either,...

This is an interesting small museum. Model Train Collectors would love this place. It is located next to a train track that is still active, so chances are good that you will get to see a real train,, `up close and personal'. It really is a lot different than sitting in your car, watching a train roll by. It is also a neat place to learn a little bit about local history, and general railroad history all...