The Colorado Railroad Museum

by Michael
(Wayne, PA)

Are you a railroad enthusiast? Do you have an interest in what railroads and railroad cars and trains used to look like in the 19th and 20th centuries? If so, then the perfect place to visit when in Colorado is the Colorado Railroad Museum.

The museum is located at 17155 West 44th Street, Golden, Colorado 80403. The phone number is (303) 279-4591. The museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The railroad museum is only 12 miles from downtown Denver, right off I-70. Children under two are free. Children are charged $5.00 admission for ages 2-16. Adults are charges $12.00 per admission. Families are charged $25.00 (two adults and two children). Seniors are charged $10.00.

The museum is over 15 acres, and features actual railroad cars that were used over the past 125 years. The actual museum is a replica of an 1880’s depot. The museum has thousands of pictures and documents illustrating railroads in Colorado. In addition, the railroad museum features HO scale model train exhibits. This train layout is spectacular and well worth the visit alone.

The museum grounds feature actual locomotives and cars. There is a 1/3 of a mile of actual railroad track where these trains can run. The museum has over 100 standard gauge locomotives and cars. There is an actual roundhouse, which is used to fix and maintenance the railroad locomotives and cars.

This museum is a great place to take kids to enjoy the day. You can picnic within the museum grounds. One can shop at the Depot General Store for souvenirs. If you call ahead you can inquire whether they have any special rides. These rides, usually on Saturdays, allow visitors to ride these antique trains for an additional fee. For instance, one can ride the RGS Goose 7. This train was in operation from Durango to Ridgway from 1936 through 1951.

Examples of actual railroad cars on display are the Rio Grande Southern 404 caboose (built in 1902), the Denver and Rio Grande Western #60 Railway Post Office Car (in operation from 1899-1951), and the Caboose #49 (built in 1881). These are a just a few of the many beautiful railroad cars restored to operating condition.

Visit the Colorado Railroad Museum when in the Denver area. It’s a great place to spend the day to learn about transportation in Colorado in the early 20th century.