The Whippany Railway Museum, located in the township of Hanover in Morris County, New Jersey, is a unique destination that serves as both a railway museum and an excursion train ride. The site houses a large collection of railroad history from the state, as well as an impressive assortment of locomotives, rail cars, and other artifacts. The Museum also offers visitors the chance to enjoy a scenic train ride that gives them a different perspective of the area.
The railway museum opened in 1965 and is run entirely by volunteers. Its mission is to preserve the heritage and history of the railroads of New Jersey through restoration, conservation, preservation, interpretation, and operation of historic rail equipment and artifacts. The museum also focuses on the preservation of the local railway heritage, including the railroad stations and freight houses that were once used by area companies.
One of the most popular activities at the Whippany Railway Museum is its excursion train rides, which are offered every Sunday from April to mid-October. The museum has a number of restored passenger cars and offers its guests the chance to experience what life was like on a working commuter train. The ride itself is a relaxing and peaceful way to spend a day with the family.
For those interested in an even more authentic experience, the museum offers passengers the opportunity to climb aboard the award-winning Lackawanna Railroad Subscription Club Car No. 2454, which radiated elegance on trains that were once known as “The Millionaire’s Express.” This is the very car that made its last run in 1984, and it is the perfect vehicle for those looking to step back in time.
Guests can also choose to ride in First Class, which is the more luxurious option. First Class seats offer more legroom, overstuffed reclining chairs in a 2-2 seating arrangement, and plenty of windows to let in the natural light. First Class passengers also receive a collectible THE POLAR EXPRESS(tm) ceramic mug, which is theirs to take home.
The railway museum’s locomotives are also worth a look, and they represent some of the best examples of early 20th century American design and craftsmanship. The Museum’s two oldest locomotives, No. 385 and No. 4039, are the most powerful steam engines in its collection, and they are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is proud to display these two incredible pieces of history, and it is an amazing experience for visitors to see them in action as they chug and whistle down the tracks.
In addition to the museum, the railway has a large outdoor railroad layout that is a great attraction for tourists and locals alike. This massive layout was built by the volunteers of the Museum, and it took over 500 hours to complete the entire project. The tracks were pre-constructed in the Museum’s basement, and they were then dismantled, transported, and assembled at the museum site. The layout now measures more than 1,500 square feet, and it is an impressive display of the volunteer efforts that went into making the MCC a reality.
