The National Railroad Hall of Fame is set to break ground in the coming weeks on its visitor center south of the existing Amtrak Depot in Galesburg, with plans to open to the public in 2027.
Hein Construction, a Central Illinois firm with over 40 years of experience, has been selected as the general contractor to oversee the project. The selection represents a major milestone for the attraction, which was first announced in 2006 and has been decades in the making.
“It’s certainly very exciting and gratifying for me on a personal level,” said Julie King, executive director of the Galesburg-based National Railroad Hall of Fame. “For the project as a whole, this milestone validates the faith shown by this community, our board, and our supporters both here and across the country.”
Hein Construction was the unanimous choice of the NRRHOF board. King said the firm stood out due to the quality of their presentation, their demonstrated expertise, and their competitive bid. Being locally based also brought hometown pride to the project.
“They join a highly acclaimed team whose combined expertise will bring the project to fruition, including architects at Chicago-based Wight & Company and exhibit designers at BRC Imagination Arts in Burbank, California,” King said.
The visitor center will feature immersive presentations focused on the transformative impact of railroads through the stories of people. The building will include a Central Station hub, four thematic galleries, and a lobby with a gift store.
Initial site prep will begin in the next couple weeks. King said a more exact timeline will emerge as the construction phase progresses, but the facility is expected to open to the public in 2027.
