The Whippany Railway Museum offers a variety of exciting train excursions throughout the year, providing a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of New Jersey’s landscape while riding on our historic railway. The Museum is also home to a large collection of locomotives, cars and railroad memorabilia which provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about New Jersey’s rich railroading history.
The Museum’s main exhibit area is dominated by the “O”-gauge model railroad, which is a favorite feature for visitors of all ages. This incredible display features a representation of the North Jersey landscape which includes a full railroad yard, station and water tank very similar to those that existed at the Morristown and Erie Railroad’s facility in Whippany. The models are powered by Lionel trains that thunder down the tracks as they pass through a representation of the real M&E rail yard and station which are located behind the Museum’s fieldstone depot at 1 Railroad Plaza.
A favorite attraction for young and old alike is the chance to climb aboard our cabooses. Climb up to the engineer’s seat, take hold of the bell cord and ring the bell as you ride alongside one of our historic freight cars. It’s a truly unique and memorable experience to see what life was like for railroaders who trailed their freight trains with this workhorse of a vehicle.
In the late 1950’s, Earle Gil of Parsippany envisioned a heritage railroad that would be open to the public to provide a nostalgic train ride and to educate people of all ages about steam railroading and its important role in American history. His dream was realized when the Morris County Central Railroad (MCC) was founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1965 as an affiliate of the New Jersey Historical Society.
MCC was the first standard gauge, historic preservation railroad in New Jersey and one of the earliest in the nation. The MCC was able to demonstrate that a heritage railroad can be operated successfully on a limited budget and without the need for extensive government subsidies.
In addition to a wonderful array of vintage trains, the Museum also houses a large assortment of historic railroad exhibits and operating model railroad layouts. The Museum is also home to a restored, 1904 freight house that contains an outstanding collection of railway artifacts and memorabilia.
The Museum has expanded significantly over the years. This expansion has been made possible by the support of our community and the Museum’s generous donors. In particular, the donation of a former Southern Railway freight car has allowed us to build our current collection of historic railroad artifacts and restore this magnificent building to its original glory. The Whippany Railway Museum is proud to present a fine example of what a conscientious group of volunteer enthusiasts and a generous public can accomplish. The Museum is now a vital community resource that will be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.
