National Railroad Hall of Fame Breaks Ground, Slated for 2027 Opening

Hein Construction selected as general contractor for visitor center project in Galesburg, Illinois.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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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, Illinois, 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.

Why it matters

The National Railroad Hall of Fame has been decades in the making, and this groundbreaking represents a major milestone for the attraction, which aims to highlight the transformative impact of railroads through immersive exhibits and storytelling.

The details

Hein Construction was the unanimous choice of the NRRHOF board, selected due to the quality of their presentation, their demonstrated expertise, and their competitive bid. The visitor center will feature a Central Station hub, four thematic galleries, and a lobby with a gift store.

  • Initial site prep will begin in the next couple weeks.
  • The facility is expected to open to the public in 2027.

The players

Hein Construction

A Central Illinois firm with over 40 years of experience, selected as the general contractor to oversee the National Railroad Hall of Fame project.

Julie King

The executive director of the Galesburg-based National Railroad Hall of Fame.

Wight & Company

The Chicago-based architecture firm that is part of the acclaimed team bringing the project to fruition.

BRC Imagination Arts

The Burbank, California-based exhibit design firm that is part of the acclaimed team bringing the project to fruition.

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What they’re saying

“It's certainly very exciting and gratifying for me on a personal level. 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.”

— Julie King, Executive Director, National Railroad Hall of Fame (wgil.com)

What’s next

A more exact timeline will emerge as the construction phase progresses.

The takeaway

The National Railroad Hall of Fame's groundbreaking represents the realization of a decades-long vision to celebrate the transformative impact of railroads through immersive exhibits and storytelling, solidifying Galesburg's role as a hub for railroad history and education.