Transforming transportation
Spire employees lend skills to the National Museum of Transportation
Since the The National Museum of Transportation – originally known as the Transport Museum Association – first opened in 1944, it’s grown to include one of the largest collections of transportation vehicles in the world, with more than 190 rail and transit exhibits. And its footprint has grown to span over 42 acres with three levels of gardens.
That means ongoing work from staff and volunteers is needed to continue the museum’s commitment to engaging education programs, interactive and interpretive exhibits, and conserving transportation history.
Since 2022, Spire has made improvements throughout the museum, including:
- Building a new deck at the Barrett Station Depot
- Replacing the ramp at the “Train of Thought Education Railcar”
- Transforming a hillside next to the library and archives building to help with water drainage problems
- Creating the Spire Rain Garden
- Completing significant landscaping work
![Image of Spire team in front of Transportation Museum](/sites/default/files/2023-03/Transportation1.jpg)
Spire employees at the museum in 2022
Employees lend skills, build platform for historic fighter jet
In late July 2024, Spire employees spent time volunteering and building a platform for a historic fighter jet - the F/A-18 E1, which was the first Super Hornet ever produced. After many years away from Missouri, the jet was brought back to the area and arrived at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis in December 2023. At the time, it was unassembled. Now, it proudly sits assembled at the museum.
![Image of platform being built](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Transportation1.png)
![Image of platform being built](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Transportation2.png)
![Image of fighter jet on platform](/sites/default/files/inline-images/TRansportation3.png)
To learn more about the National Museum of Transportation, visit their website.