Whether you’re interested in the history of railroads or just love trains, New Jersey offers plenty to see and do for railway enthusiasts. From historic train stations to model railroad museums showcasing miniature fantasy-lands, you’ll find a wealth of attractions for the rail fan in you. Whether you want to explore the exhibits or ride on one of the many themed train excursions, you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
Rail museum nj focuses on the preservation, maintenance, operation and interpretation of railroad equipment and artifacts. In addition, the museum seeks to educate the public about the railroad industry and railway history. There are also numerous exhibits, including an 1872 passenger station, a restored caboose and authentic railroad tools and equipment.
The Museum also features two operating model train layouts – one indoor and one outdoor. The indoor layout focuses on the various functions of the train, such as locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars. The outdoor model train layout demonstrates how the railroads were built and operated in the past.
New Jersey has a rich railroad heritage and the Museum preserves it for today’s visitors. The Museum is open Sundays from April to mid-October.
On May 9th, 1965 the Morris County Central (MCC) opened its doors to the public for the first time. The first excursion train, operated by the MCC, departed the Whippany Station with an amazing number of passengers. The excitement of that first day, and the many other exciting days to follow, would leave lasting memories for countless thousands of people.
In 1967, the MCC volunteers formed a railroad museum group and began displaying an initial collection of railroad memorabilia in part of the freight house located alongside the stone passenger station. The Museum was the first of its kind in New Jersey.
As the museum grew, it became obvious that a larger facility was needed. The MCC purchased the former New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway freight house in 1970. The Museum moved into this building and remained there until the MCC closed its tourist operations in 1980. The Museum stayed on as the Pequannock Valley Transportation Museum (PVTM).
The PVTM continued to thrive as a museum and railroad collection, but by the early 1980s the Museum was in need of a permanent home. By the beginning of 1983, the PVTM was actively looking for a new location.
The new home of the museum was found on the grounds of the historic Smithville Park in the town of Smithville, New Jersey. The museum is now a part of the Burlington County Parks system and is open to the public. The Museum specializes in telling the story of the Underground Railroad in America, with a special focus on the history of Burlington County and the surrounding area. The museum’s collection includes over 150 Underground Railroad items. The Museum is also home to the largest collection of American-built standard gauge steam locomotives displayed in the State of New Jersey.
