A railway museum is a great place for train buffs and kids alike to learn about the history of trains. These museums can include a real life station, theatre and exciting attractions as well as a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions. They can also offer the chance to take a train ride along the first commercial mile of railroad track, something that many rail fans find very appealing.
In the center of the museum, visitors can stand next to one of the world’s most powerful steam locomotives and admire other historic machines. A series of hands-on displays and exhibits explain the intricacies of railway operation. There are also historical photographs and documents on display that show the changing face of railway technology. The museum is open to the public from April to October. During the summer, visitors can take part in the ‘Mile One Express’ train ride that takes them on a journey through the original roundhouse building and past the site of America’s first commercial train station.
The National Railway Museum in York is a museum and heritage site that features a collection of vintage railway cars and locomotives. The museum offers a variety of interactive activities and tours for visitors including the opportunity to ride on a working handcar or explore an authentic Victorian railway carriage. The museum is a registered charity and receives most of its operating funds through donations from supporters. It is also a member of the Association of Railway Museums in England.
Located at the former Central of Georgia Railway Repair Shops Complex and Terminal Facilities, this museum is an excellent resource for transport enthusiasts and history buffs. It is free of charge to visit and includes the opportunity to explore a modern railway station, tour historic railway cars, and participate in an array of guided site tours and programs. The museum also features a working model railway display in HO and N scale.
In addition to a large number of railway artifacts and memorabilia, the museum features numerous locomotives and a restored 1904 freight depot. Its newest permanent exhibition, After Promontory: 150 Years of Transcontinental Railroading, examines the impact that the railroads had on the American West. It shows how the construction of the Central and Union Pacific railroads swept away Native tribal dominance, ended the open range, and restructured the West into a network of resources and industries dependent upon clusters of urban centers.
The largest railway museum in the United States, this is a must-visit for any train aficionado. Its massive collection of 19th century locomotives, a full-scale replica of the famous roundhouse, and several other historic buildings make it a popular attraction for train lovers everywhere. The museum’s collection includes the famous Mallard, which once held the world record for fastest steam locomotive.
The museum also houses a collection of artifacts from the railroad’s era in New Jersey. Guests can view models of locomotives, dining car place settings and the famous ‘Wye’ tracks that were used to turn locomotives on the Bergen County line between Whippany and Newark.
