When you think of Colorado railroading, you think of mountain-climbing narrow-gauge trains of the Denver & Rio Grande Western, and that is exactly what you’ll see at the Colorado Railroad Museum just outside Denver in the foothills near Golden. But that’s not all—the museum includes 100 pieces of equipment from many other Colorado railroads.
Choices
The Colorado Railroad Museum features narrow- and standard-gauge equipment from a steam locomotive used on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway to a 317-ton Burlington Route 4-8-4 steam locomotive and even a set of streamlined 1950s passenger diesels from the Rio Grande. You’ll see examples of the famous Galloping Goose self-propelled railbuses that ran on the narrow-gauge Rio Grande Southern in southwestern Colorado. The restored Rio Grande Southern 1899 ten-wheeler No. 20 joined the operating roster in 2020, giving the museum three locomotives in steam.
When to go
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, except for major holidays. Train rides are available on Saturdays except in November and December when The Polar Express runs, a special event that requires a separate ticket. From mid-May through mid-August the Museum expands its rides to a Thursday through Sunday schedule. Most passenger trains are powered by diesel, however, on select days, you can ride aboard a Galloping Goose or behind a steam locomotive.
Good to know
No. 683, a 2-8-0 built in 1890 and retired in 1955, is the only preserved standard-gauge Rio Grande steam locomotive.
Worth doing
The MillerCoors brewery is adjacent to the museum and offers tours on most days throughout the year. You can also explore historic downtown Golden or try tubing on nearby Clear Creek. The grave site of showman Buffalo Bill is nearby.
Don’t miss
Visit the five-stall roundhouse that houses the museum’s restoration shop and features an operating turntable. A viewing gallery gives you a peek at the work it takes to maintain the collection.
Getting there
Located 12 miles west of downtown Denver. Take Interstate 70 (exit 265 West or 266 East). The museum is off Highway 58 between I-70 and Golden.
Location: 17155 West 44th Avenue, Golden, CO
Phone: 303-279-4591 or 800-365-6263
Website: coloradorailroadmuseum.org
E-mail: info@crrm.org
