• Travel by train through St. Louis and surrounding areas.wheels railway image by Pali A from Fotolia.com
  
  St. Louis may be known for being home to the Gateway Arch, but there are other aspects of this Midwest city that visitors and even locals may not know about. For example, on a train trip you can learn the history of the railway system in St. Louis, Missouri, and how goods and services were transported. There are a limited number of train tours still available in the city.
  
  

Museum of Transportation

• The Museum of Transportation in St. Louis provides both public tours and private group tours. Visitors can learn about freight trains, passenger cars and test cars on the 20-minute public train tour. Public tours are available Monday to Saturday during the summer months, and Tuesday to Saturday during the winter months. Reservations are not necessary for public tours. The company also offers private one-hour group tours for an additional fee. These tours are limited to a maximum of 35 guests and group fees must be paid in advance. Throughout the year, the company hosts train tours for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and schools. Reservations are required for all field trips.
  
  

St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway

• The St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railway provides a number of train tours throughout the year, including a train robbery adventure, sightseeing trips and murder mystery tours. Special events include the Santa Express train on which children listen to Santa read "The Polar Express," while munching on cookies and sipping hot chocolate. Murder mystery train tours allow passengers to play detective for the evening. During the tour you try to figure out who the murderer is by asking questions and interviewing other passengers. This tour includes a dinner and also a reward for the winning detective. Tours run from May through December.
  
  

Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad Association

• Situated 25 miles from St. Louis in Glencoe, Missouri, the Wabash Frisco and Pacific Railroad Association opened in 1935. It offers train tours from May through October. The 2-mile train tour to the Meramec River lasts approximately 30 minutes. Tours are operated solely by volunteers and a cash donation is requested when purchasing your tickets. The company offers free admission to children age 3 and under. Tours are available every Sunday; trains leave every 20 minutes.