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
Photo: Greg K. Hull © Chasing Light Media

Colorado Railroad Museum: Preserving Colorado railroad history

As the railroad industry declined in the 1940’s, 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
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 rail yard 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
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
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 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…

Freight cars, Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

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

The Ski Train, Colorado Railroad Museum
Photo: Kim Hull © Chasing Light Media

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.