New Jersey has a long history of train transportation and as such, is home to some excellent railroad museums and scenic train rides. Here are some of the best train museums nj for any railway enthusiast or family looking to get out and see the sights.
1. Northlandz – One of the largest model train displays in the world, you can find up to 100 trains crisscrossing 8 miles of tracks. They’re running through a huge world-within-a-world, complete with bustling cities, small towns, and the countryside. There’s a giant music hall with a stage for live performances and a 94 room dollhouse too! It’s truly amazing what goes into this display and it’s a must-see for any train lover.
2. NJMT – Established in 1952, this museum features a huge collection of railway artifacts as well as several operating locomotives and railroad cars. They also have a large, operational model railroad layout and offer train rides on their Pine Creek Railroad during select times of the year. This museum is located in Maywood within the preserved New York Susquehanna & Western depot and is open on a limited schedule.
3. Black River & Western Railroad – This privately owned and operated train museum is located in rural Hunterdon County. They’re currently working to restore a full-sized steam engine from the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines and a number of other historic trains. They also operate their own short line railroad, utilizing about 16 miles of restored trackage between Swedesboro and Woodstown. They offer a number of train excursions each year, and they’re especially popular during the holidays for their special Easter train ride with the Easter Bunny and Santa Express.
4. Phillipsburg Railroad Excursions – Located in Phillipsburg, this railroad offers fun train rides for various seasons. They have everything from a wine train to the Polar Express and they even run the Warren County Pumpkin Train. They’re operated by the New York Susquehanna & Eastern Technical & Historical Society and they’re open on a limited schedule throughout the year.
5. Pine Creek Railroad – Located in Allaire State Park, this small museum is operated by the Pine Creek Historical Society and focuses on telling the story of local railway operations from the area. They have a small collection of documents, photos and an operating model railway inside the restored depot building and outside is a beautiful preserved caboose that can be toured.
6. Whippany Railway Museum – Opened alongside their railway in 1965, this is a wonderful place to learn about the state’s rich rail history. They offer train rides throughout the year and they’re a must-see for any railway enthusiast.
The best train museums nj can take you to the edge of your seat and show you what life was like for the people who traveled by train on a daily basis. These exhibits are carefully maintained and they’re a labor of love for the volunteers that make them happen.
