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Colorado Railroad Museum

Colorado Railroad Museum
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Whether you are a train buff, photographer, or just looking for something interesting to do for an afternoon, you will have a wonderful time at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado.

The Colorado Railroad Museum, which is deservedly one of the top 10 Denver attractions, will have you amazed at the vast array of railroad history on hand.

Colorado Railroad Museum
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Colorado Railroad Museum: Preserving Colorado railroad history

As the railroad industry declined in the 1940s, Bob Richardson began collecting pieces of railroad history – rolling stock, equipment, records, and memorabilia.

By 1958, his collection had outgrown its home in Alamosa, CO and the museum was moved to Golden, where a replica railroad depot was built for the museum’s main building in 1959.

Colorado Railroad Museum
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

Over the next five decades, the Colorado Railroad Museum grew to a collection of over 100 engines, cabooses, and coaches on a 15-acre railyard that includes the replica depot, a water tank, a G-scale garden railway, and working steam & diesel locomotives.

On the museum grounds is also the Robert H. Richardson Library, one of the largest railroad reference libraries in the U.S., with collections of rare photos, artifacts, and documents, and the Cornelius W. Hauk Restoration Roundhouse, a 5-bay roundhouse for railcar maintenance and restoration.

Colorado Railroad Museum
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Colorado Railroad Museum: Highlights

The Locomotives

Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 346, Colorado’s oldest operating steam locomotive
Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 346, Colorado’s oldest operating steam locomotive
Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden, Colorado
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Colorado Railroad Museum: Denver Leadville & Gunnison No. 191, the oldest steam locomotive in Colorado
Denver Leadville & Gunnison No. 191, the oldest steam locomotive in Colorado
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Colorado Railroad Museum: Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 5771, which powered the ski train from Denver to Winter Park until 1996
Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 5771, which powered the ski train from Denver to Winter Park until 1996
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Colorado Railroad Museum: Manitou & Pikes Peak No. 1, designed to climb steep mountain slopes and glades
Manitou & Pikes Peak No. 1, designed to climb steep mountain slopes and glades
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Passenger Cars

Colorado Railroad Museum
Colorado Midland, Observation Car No. 111
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media
Colorado Railroad Museum: Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe, Observation Car Navajo
Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe, Observation Car Navajo
Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

And much more…

Colorado Railroad Museum
Freight cars, Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Colorado Railroad Museum
Cabooses, Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
The Ski Train, Colorado Railroad Museum
The Ski Train, Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media
Colorado Railroad Museum
Snow plows, Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Colorado Railroad Museum: Special events & private parties

From a ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine™, to mailing a letter to Santa aboard the RPO railcar, the Colorado Railroad Museum has numerous themed and special events throughout the year including:

Ride the Rails Saturdays, Black History Month, Galloping Goose, RidesBunny Express, TrainTrick or Treat Train, Dinosaur Train, Santa Claus Special, and Day Out With Thomas.

The museum is also available for party rentals and private events. Check the Colorado Railroad Museum website for specific dates, details, and pricing information.

Colorado Railroad Museum: A preview

Location: 17155 West 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & New Years Day

Phone: 303-279-4591, 800-365-6263

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