If you love trains and history this museum is definitely worth a visit. It is huge and full of amazing train cars. The volunteers that work here are so knowledgeable and friendly. They gave us a very detailed tour of every car and the history behind them. It took a long time to walk around the entire yard but it was so interesting and it was great to hear all their stories about each car. They really take their job seriously and make it a great experience for everyone. We ended up spending three hours there and it was well worth it.
The Whippany museum is dedicated to the preservation of the heritage and history of New Jersey railroads through the restoration, maintenance, interpretation and operation of historic rail equipment and artifacts. It’s been a popular destination for families since 1965, and it is a non-profit, operating heritage railroad and museum that is entirely staffed by volunteers.
You’ll find the museum at 1 Railroad Plaza in Whippany, New Jersey. It is open Sunday afternoons from April to mid-October, and the cost of admission is $1 for adults and $.50 for kids. The admission fee helps to fund the restoration and preservation of the antique train cars that are displayed in the museum.
While you’re at the museum, be sure to check out the 1904 freight house with its outstanding collection of rail and transportation artifacts and memorabilia, as well as the classic wooden water tank and dozens of historic railcars. You’ll also be able to see the progress on the restoration of Central Railroad of New Jersey Coach #1001, which is in the final stages of completion.
After you’re done exploring the museum, you can enjoy an excursion train ride on the Morris County Central Railroad. The train runs on weekends from May to October, and it’s an exciting way for the whole family to experience a piece of New Jersey history. The train travels along the scenic Morris Canal and over the remnants of glacial Lake Passaic, and you’ll get to see the sights of Whippany, East Hanover, Livingston, and Roseland in both Morris and Essex Counties.
If you’re a train buff, then you’ll want to see one of the oldest steam locomotives in America at the Whippany museum. It’s the Southern Railway Class H 4 2-8-0 No. 385, which is repainted in the green and gold scheme that it wore as a Morris County Central tourist train 50 years ago. You’ll also be able to admire Texaco Fireless Cooker No. 7240, which is restored to its original appearance, as well as the Central Railroad of New Jersey’s Coach #1001, which is in the process of being fully restored.
The Whippany museum is a fun and educational attraction for all ages, and it’s a great way to spend a few hours on a warm summer day in New Jersey. It’s a great place to learn about New Jersey’s rich history and get a close-up look at some of the most fascinating train cars ever built.
