The old railway station is both a small museum and the starting point for the Maria Fumaça, the steam train that runs between São João del Rei and Tiradentes. Even if you skip the ride, the station area gives the city a different texture from the churches: iron, timber, workshops, and preserved rolling stock.
Check current running days before building your visit around the train. When it operates, the ride is the most atmospheric way to connect São João del Rei with Tiradentes.