The Museu Ferroviário preserves the history of the Ferrovia Tereza Cristina, one of Brazil's most historically significant regional railways. Opened in 1884 to carry coal from the mines of Lauro Müller to the coast at Laguna, the railway transformed the economy of southern Santa Catarina. The museum displays early locomotives, rolling stock, tools, photographs, and documents from the railway's operational era.
Static exhibits include a working steam locomotive — the same class of Mikado engine used for the Maria Fumaça tourist excursions. The museum is the departure point for these weekend steam train trips, which run to coastal destinations including Laguna and Imbituba on scheduled dates. Check the timetable in advance; the excursions are popular and fill up quickly. The wooden passenger carriages from the 1950s and 60s are themselves a piece of living heritage.