Colorado Railroad Museum
A working rail yard, roundhouse, depot, library, and narrow-gauge collection make Colorado’s mountain-rail story tangible rather than nostalgic. Begin in the depot exhibits, then walk the yard with enough time to compare narrow- and standard-gauge equipment before a scheduled train ride.
Artwork inspired by William Henry Jackson
The Colorado Railroad Museum is a non-profit railroad museum. The museum is located along the former Colorado and Southern Railway line on 19. 5 acres (7. A working rail yard, roundhouse, depot, library, and narrow-gauge collection make Colorado’s mountain-rail story tangible rather than nostalgic. Begin in the depot exhibits, then walk the yard with enough time to compare narrow- and standard-gauge equipment before a scheduled train ride.
Study snow-fighting equipment and compact locomotives for clues to the grades, curves, and winter conditions that shaped Colorado railroading.
- Setting
- Working rail yard
- Standout
- Narrow-gauge collection
- Allow
- 2–3 hours
Quick guide
- Order
- Depot, yard, then roundhouse
- Check
- Whether trains operate that day
Quick guide
- Opening question
- Use the depot exhibits before walking into the yard and roundhouse.
- Order
- Compare snow-fighting equipment and compact locomotives reveal the demands of mountain railroading.
- Evidence to test
- Trace train operations occur on selected dates rather than every ordinary museum day.
- Conditions check
- Confirm much of the collection is outdoors, so dress for Golden’s conditions.
Good to know
Ordinary admission does not include a train ride. Major ticketed weekends can replace the regular admission product and sell out without walk-up entry. Much of the 15-acre site is outdoors, while operating equipment and departure times remain weather-dependent.
Notice these
- Narrow-gauge locomotives
- Roundhouse and depot
- Snow-fighting equipment