If you love trains, or have a child who does, it’s hard to miss the abundance of train attractions around New Jersey. From model railroad museums showcasing fantasy-land-like train layouts to historic railway stations and historical exhibits, there are many things to see and do for train enthusiasts in New Jersey.
The NJ Museum of Transportation is a small, outdoor train museum run by local train enthusiasts. The museum is located at Allaire State Park, which makes it easy to combine a visit with some time immersed in American history at Allaire Village (right next door). There are several pieces of rare and vintage railroad equipment on display at the museum, as well as an opportunity to take a short ride on a miniature train.
The train museum is open on select Sundays from May to October. In addition to the museum, visitors can also board an excursion train that rides through the wildlife park. The ride includes a stop at the miniature train village and the Whippanong Valley Railroad, an “O” gauge model railroad, which is home to a collection of restored, vintage rail cars from historic rail lines that once served the Greater Metropolitan area.
In addition to a vast collection of trains, the museum features a number of historic train-related artifacts and photographs. It also hosts a number of special events, including Easter and Christmas train rides with the Santa Train. The train museum is a great place to learn about New Jersey’s rich railroading heritage, and to enjoy a ride aboard one of the region’s most beautiful locomotives.
While the majority of the exhibits at the train museum are not interactive, it does have a large model railroad layout, and some hands-on activities for kids to try. The exhibits at the museum also focus on a variety of topics related to trains, including train safety, the history of railroads in the United States, and the development of different types of locomotives.
Guests at the museum can also tour a full-sized freight train, which is on permanent display in the museum. The train is a former Pennsylvania Railroad train that was built in 1912, and it contains numerous artifacts from the railroad’s early days. The exhibits in the museum tell a fascinating story of the railroads’ role in developing America, and they are sure to delight children and adults alike.
Visiting the train museum at NAS Wildwood is a one-of-a-kind experience. The museum is housed in a historic World War II Naval Aviation hangar, and it features a collection of full-size aircraft, as well as interactive displays. The museum is a great place for military and history buffs, as well as families with children. It offers plenty to do and see, and is a great way to spend a day with the family in Cape May County.
