Colorado Railroad Museum image

Colorado Railroad Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Rail museum

One of the Most Reviewed Museums in Jefferson County


Address

17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403, United States

Website

www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org

Contact

+1 303-279-4591

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (2.6K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: train (36) trains (32) museum (26) cars (17) model (16) ride (12) great (12) visit (11) kids (11) railroad (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Chris H. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a must see for anyone with a love for rail and history. There's a ton of train cars and engines. I went on a day where they weren't doing train rides, so I didn't get to do that, but it's probably the only way it could have been better. There's an online exhibit companion that is also quite good and gives you some additional history about each exhibit. Be sure not to miss the HO model in the basement, that thing is legit.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Steven H. 5 months ago on Google • 383 reviews
    Truly fantastic experience, the number of trains on show, as well as the model trains running is amazing. Been able to visit the restoration shed is also awesome. But the highlight has got to be the train ride.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jennifer H. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a really great place to go with kids.. You can go around outside or you can also go inside they have a model train in the basement that you can look at how its setup and run. They have history of the Colorado Railroad and how it had started.. I do have to caution though there was quite a few different rail cars outside that were not open to the public. Masks are required in side the building.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brady D. 1 year ago on Google
    We lucked in to visiting on steam engine weekend so we got to ride the train around the grounds for $4/person plus the $10/person entry. Really enjoyed the model railroad in the basement, all the full size trains outside, and we even got to push the turn table! There were lots of train experts on the grounds to answer any questions and give tours of various engines and cars. We spent about 2.5hrs and really enjoyed the museum.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Peter S. 2 years ago on Google
    First, let me say that my 8-year old enjoyed the stay. I am sure a train enthusiast will enjoy it just as much. For some visitors in between, part of it seems to lack the organization. The condition of the equipment, while very old of course, is not truly in museum condition and not as accessible to make it a true must see. The Colorado Railroad Museum has some indoor displays and presentations. Unfortunately, the huge miniature H0 track is not set up for full visibility, especially when it comes to smaller kids and to some extend even adults. Have quarters with you to get some of the displayed trains moving.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Josie Jose O. 5 months ago on Google • 264 reviews
    My daughter and I love train museums and she came into town to visit for Christmas. She saw this Museum online so this was part of her itinerary before she left. We had a great time looking at all the trains and the videos! While we were there we saw so many excited kids tooting the train horn! This is truly a family-oriented activity that can be done any time of the year!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erin Mack T. 6 months ago on Google • 19 reviews
    We recently had the pleasure of riding the Polar Express. It was perfection! Every last detail was thought of. From the pre-show, that was delightful, to the fact that they had crayons and templates for children to keep themselves busy with, to the little details (like the mailbox where one can mail a letter to Santa), to the boarding process (by color), to the beautiful engine and cars, to the performances on the train and Santa at the end, we loved every minute! It’s not the least expensive thing we’ve done, but I think it was worth every penny.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chuck B. 1 year ago on Google
    A great place to spend a couple of hours immersing yourself in everything "railroad". Tucked away in an off the beaten path location in Golden, but wonderful view of the mesas above the museum. Our grandsons from Omaha loved the visit - they didn't want to leave! The roundhouse where they work on the locomotives is great to see.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Double D. 2 years ago on Google
    Train museum. 10 acres outside of trains and cars. Wear comfortable shoes and enjoy. Great 2 story indoor displays to enjoy with a well stocked gift shop. Also working ho train tracks in lower level.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Craig L. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a fun museum. This place has an actual train ride around the museum (there is an extra fee for this). You can tour many of the old rail cars. There is an impressive model railroad inside and larger scale model railroad outside. This would be a fun visit for a family with kids. Bring quarters to see the model railroad inside come to life
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kerri C. 2 years ago on Google
    All Aboard!! At the Colorado Train Museum! If you love western history and trains, this is a must see! A perfect place to bring the kids! If you do, you must bring quarters!! Warning! If you're a big train enthusiast, you may never want to leave! Wonderful, knowledgeable staff, very professional, very clean, and a perfect day trip to learn and explore and even research in their library! I will be going back! They have a beautiful and very well preserved indoor museum, displaying period era clothes, letters, luggage, and technology such as a early 20th century camera; pieces of time that otherwise would be a faded memory. This area of the museum envelopes you in a atmosphere only found in the early days of the west. They also have a very large (to say it fills the room is an understatement) working model scale display of historical Colorado and of course, running model trains! Working they're way through tunnels, across bridges, and into towns, these model trains are quarter activated, so be sure and bring quarters!! The train yard has 2 centuries worth of trains and rail cars that you can get up close and explore! A true wonderland for a train enthusiast to play and enjoy. Walk through the ages the steel and industry and the mighty horses that drove them and the cars that carried it through. Everything from famous steam engines, snowblowers, to diesel driven express trains that carried passengers east to west. I have been a train enthusiast all my life and think I know all when it comes to trains. However, I learned so much about the movement west and how trains were the heart of everything that is west of the Cumberland Gap and the Mississippi River. This museum gave a lot of gravity to the hardships that were met, yet overcome to produce the western United States as we see it today. And stopping at the rail crossing with a modern day train running through, the railroad being just across the street from the museum, they are still building the west today. I want to thank all those that have made this museum possible and running today! I remember watching a national geographic on trains as a child and found many of those exact trains from the movie here in the heart of Colorado at your museum. I cannot express what that means to me. Thank you for your love and care of our beloved trains and their history!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sierra M. 9 months ago on Google • 94 reviews
    Great museum! I recommend going on a Saturday because they have train rides! I went on a Friday, so I didn't get to ride a train, but they had several cool engines and cars to look at. It's a lot of fun. Don't miss the basement and the awesome model!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Reba Davidson W. 8 months ago on Google • 62 reviews
    We loved our first visit to the museum and are already planning to return! Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable. So much geared for kids that made the experience wonderful for me and my kids alike. We loved riding the Galloping Goose and look forward to riding a steam powered train when we go next.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mohit V. 1 year ago on Google
    Children and adults will enjoy this place alike. A lot of history that gets covered by the locomotive driver during the train ride around the facility. The train ride is three laps and around 20 minutes The place is run by volunteers who are so passionate about what they are doing. They have built large railroad models that kids simply fall in love with. The gift store is all stocked and you are sure to find a souvenir that you will like. It's not crazy expensive either. There is ample parking space on the faculty
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gabriel J. 2 years ago on Google
    A great venue with great staff. The really know how to rock the Polar Express and bring the magic home for the kiddos, with real trains and wonderful sounds. We’ll definitely return and continue to spread the word about this local magical adventure!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Name 1 Name 2. 8 months ago on Google
    Amazing place. Amazing people working here. Been going since I was a kid and it's always worth a yearly trip. The Twister Jeep and Dorothy are worth it alone. 🤯🤯
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danielle W. 9 months ago on Google
    I took my 72 year old father here as he loves trains but I'd guess that I had just as good of a time as he did! There is tons of information about the expansion of the railroad into Colorado all the way through the prime railway years. We both learned a lot and had fun discussing things along the way. I highly recommend spending a few hours here as it has so much to see for anyone with even the slightest interest in trains or railroads!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anthony P. 9 months ago on Google • 18 reviews
    This is my first time coming to this railroad museum, and I'm amazed with all the artifacts and equipment they have in display. It's great for all ages and plus they have a large garden railroad display. Few kids interact area and play area. You are able to get into some locomotive and Rail cars. A must see is the large ho scale model train display in basement of the station that took basically 54 years to create! Definitely a must visit when coming to Denver!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lyndee D. 1 year ago on Google
    I enjoyed the museum but I love trains. All the docents were very informative about the many trains on the property. The train ride took us around the property 3 times and the guide had many stories to tell. Very interesting and I would return again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brittany O. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome experience! Lots of cool old trains to see, explore and ride! As well as miniatures. Don’t miss the inside there is a downstairs with lots to see. Also a Blue star Museum for Military.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Anne K. 2 years ago on Google
    3 and 7 year old enjoyed it (stayed ~45 minutes), but I was disappointed that there were only 4 trains open to enter. Train rides are only available on Saturday. Also, you should bring a quarter if you want to operate the extensive model train track downstairs.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Piotr R. 6 months ago on Google • 123 reviews
    This is really a great museum and 5 stars are not enough to express my rating. The museum has a great collection of engines and cars from different eras so you can experience the railroad at its finest. For me the most interesting parts were steam engines and being able to see these marvels of technology under live steam was something you cannot forget. The staff of the museum is super helpful and nice, and all of these people share passion, dedication and love for what they do. Special thanks to Art and Brett! And if you visit the museum - just consider donating more than the price of the ticket - it is just worth supporting this amazing place!

  • 5/5 Jeff P. 6 months ago on Google • 71 reviews
    I have been wanting to visit the Colorado Railroad Museum for many years. Primarily because I wanted to see the F9's that pulled the California Zephyr, but this museum is so much more ! Our Grandson enjoyed the expansive model train layout in the basement of the station, as did my wife and I. The motive power collection is enough to excite any rail enthusiast. The Garden Scale layout is the best I've seen. I have read the stories of the Galloping Goose(s), and here are 3 of them. The Pikes Peak Cog units are here too. The Roundhouse displays units in the process of restorations and repair. Last, but not least is a fully staffed resource and learning center/library who were able to provide materials and answer most any questions and show drawings and photos. We will return !

  • 5/5 Todd S. 4 months ago on Google • 19 reviews
    My youngest son has a passion for trains. As we had some time in Colorado this weekend this was a must-stop. We ended up spending several hours there. This is a very interactive and neat place to visit. We were able to go on the train ride, and explore the grounds. Staff is very friendly and helpful, this is a treat for anyone, even the ones that may not be so passionate about trains.

  • 5/5 Emily F. 8 months ago on Google
    Stopped by to look at all the cars on display. It was a great way to spend about an hour and a half. There's 15 acres to cover and no shortage of vintage cars to look at and read about. Several cars are open for walkthroughs, my personal favorite being the USPS car. The gift shop has a lot of interesting items as well. The yard is set up in a way that if you follow the sidewalks, you'll see everything. Don't be afraid to walk on the gravel, wear good walking shoes. It's uneven surfaces in many places. The restoration building feels like a time capsule.

  • 5/5 Jeff C. 7 months ago on Google
    Fun, affordable museum for Colorado train history. Actual locomotives and rolling stock on site to see, as well as a working turntable and roundhouse. Visitors are able to watch volunteers maintain and restore passenger cars and steam locomotives.

  • 5/5 Timothy K. 1 year ago on Google
    This museum is awesome! Lots of trains from before 1900, including a large number of wooden cars. Impressive collection of steam locomotives too. The train ride is worth the extra $2, and even though the loop is very small, you go around three times while learning about some of the equipment. Staff is mostly volunteer, and super friendly. If you have any questions, just ask - it will make their day! There are also some toy trains both outside and inside, as well as a research library (not really for most people). I was impressed by the quantity, quality, and variety of equipment they have, as well as the large number of pieces you can go on or in. Definitely worth the stop!

  • 5/5 Range Writer S. 8 months ago on Google
    Great experience for Day Out With Thomas. My brother volunteers here and we were able to bring our 3 month old up to check it out. Great activities and super friendly volunteer staff. Highly recommend checking out this piece of history.

  • 4/5 MADTURKEY 9. 1 year ago on Google
    My daughter and I went here today for the first time in forever and it's still pretty fun! It's great for young kids and train lovers. Bring sunscreen! Lots of outdoor walking and lots of places you can't go into unfortunately. Overall worth the money!

  • 5/5 Azlina H. 11 months ago on Google
    It was a lovely family day spent viewing the displays and riding train around the park. We have a toddler so did not stay long. I totally could stay a couple more hoyrs.

  • 3/5 JoJo/ Kaylah L. 11 months ago on Google
    Price is fair. Not much going on, I would say if you just need to stretch some time or don’t mind a 30 minute visit this is it. Or maybe you just love trains. Went on a Wednesday so no actual train ride on Wednesdays. The mini train exhibit down below was ok very cool display. I just remember seeing a miniature world in California at a museum once and I assumed it would be like that which is the only reason why I went. It wasn’t So we walked about the yard only a few trains you can actually walk inside and even then it’s a plastic shield preventing you from walking actually through the cart, so you can only look from a distance. Outdoors was another small town with a bigger train set. The men outside where awesome talking to us and sharing the history of the trains. Best part of the entire visit. We arrived at 9:05am left at 9:50am.

  • 5/5 Jaehs D. 1 year ago on Google
    Good times and a great learning experience for anyone. They had painting and maze for the kiddos. Toy story alien, Pikachu, and Alice from wonderland were here to take pictures with the kiddos too. And the gift shop isn't super over prices like most places.

  • 5/5 Jason K. 1 year ago on Google
    Lots of trains, new and old. Train ride around the facility has commentary about the collection. Railhouse with a turntable you can turn yourself. Looks too heavy to be possible but you can do it! There is a N scale model train that is a very impressive. Very detailed.

  • 5/5 Miranda G. 2 years ago on Google
    Hands down the best railway museum we've ever been to. So many full sized trains and locomotives and you can go inside! Staff and volunteers were super nice. Lots of walking and you can see them working in the restoration center.

  • 5/5 Out Standing in a f. 2 years ago on Google
    What a fantastic museum. Many things to see and very well displayed. Absolutely a must see for anyone interested in the rails. The model RR in the lower level is ridiculous...just unbelievable attention to detail. I cannot imagine the hours spent building.

  • 4/5 Cristina T. 2 years ago on Google
    Very fun place to take the family. The kids really enjoy getting to climb on various train cars, and engines, and they love all of the interactive parts. I would rate it higher, but not everything is open right now due to covid restrictions. I look forward to visiting again once restrictions are lifted!


Call +1 303-279-4591 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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