A New Jersey train museum since 1965, the Whippany Railway Museum explores railroad history. This family-friendly museum is a must-visit for those who want to learn more about the state’s rail industry and the railroads of the past.
The Museum operates a collection of historic equipment and artifacts on display in its 1904 freight house, as well as a model train layout, which is always busy with visitors. The Whippany Railway Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of railroads in the New Jersey area.
Excursion trains are the museum’s signature attraction. These steam-powered passenger trains travel through a series of stations where you can get off and take a closer look at the train’s many displays.
These rides are free and are run by volunteers. The proceeds help to support the museum and its mission of preserving the history of the railways in New Jersey.
A visit to the Whippany Railway Museum also includes a walk through a train yard full of antique railroad cars. The cars are from a variety of different eras, and the museum works to restore them.
You can even take a ride in a real caboose! The caboose is located on the railroad tracks and can be toured on weekends from May through September.
The Museum’s model train display is a great way to keep kids entertained for hours on end, as it features an interactive model of a train traveling through a number of different towns. There are buttons all over the train to push that control various aspects of the train, including raising and lowering bridges or raising and lowering a track. There are stools for children to sit on and view the train as it travels through a variety of scenes.
Other activities include a touch-a-truck event, which gives kids an opportunity to climb into fire trucks, transport trucks and construction trucks. They can see the vehicles up close and ask questions to the professionals who work on them.
Lastly, the Museum is host to many special events throughout the year. These are listed on the Museum’s website.
The Whippany Railway Museum is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit operating heritage railroad that is staffed by volunteers. It has a variety of train rides and events that are held throughout the year. These are listed on the museum’s website and are free of charge.
A must-see for train fans and those who love to travel by rail, the Whippany Railway Museum is a treasured NJ landmark. With over 30 years of preservation experience, the museum offers a unique glimpse into railroad history.
What to Expect
The museum is located at 165 Whippany Road in Whippany, New Jersey and is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. There is ample parking and there are restaurants nearby for food.
You can book your tickets online using the link below. There are several train excursions that run at different times, so check the schedule before your trip.
