Colorado Railroad Museum

Museum Museum exhibiting historic Colorado locomotives and rolling stock

A Golden, Colorado museum displaying steam and diesel locomotives, restored rolling stock and models; visitors ride vintage trains and study regional railroad history.

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A museum in Golden, Colorado, dedicated to preserving and interpreting Colorado’s railroad history through a collection of historic locomotives, cars and related artifacts.

The museum’s outdoor exhibit yard displays a range of steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock illustrating regional rail history. Visitors can view restoration work, access interpretive displays and, on scheduled days, ride demonstration trains on the museum’s operating track.

Workshops and a roundhouse area provide visible conservation and restoration of equipment, and the museum hosts events and special operating days focused on historic rail operations.

Established and grown by rail preservationists and volunteers, the museum assembled historic equipment from Colorado and the surrounding region to preserve examples of locomotives and rolling stock and to demonstrate historic rail operations.

Situated in Golden in Jefferson County, a few miles west of downtown Denver and readily reached from Interstate 70.

  • Operating rides: Runs demonstration train rides on-site using historic equipment on scheduled days, giving visitors a short operating excursion experience.
  • Location and access: Located in Golden, a few miles west of downtown Denver, with visitor parking and easy access from Interstate 70 and local roads.

What to See #

  • Exhibit yard: A large outdoor exhibit yard and display tracks holding the museum's collection of historic steam and diesel locomotives and rolling stock.
  • Restoration shop: A roundhouse and on-site restoration shop where volunteers and staff perform conservation and mechanical work on historic equipment.
  • Operating track: An operating demonstration track used for short train rides and equipment demonstrations during visitor events and regular operating days.
Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W. 44th Avenue, Golden, CO 80403
39.7722, -105.1900
Typically Wed-Sun 9:30am-4pm (closed Mondays & Tuesdays); check website for seasonal changes and special events
Adults ~$12-$15; discounts for seniors/children; special-event prices vary (check museum website).

How to Get to Colorado Railroad Museum #

Located in Golden, Colorado, just off I-70. From downtown Golden, take Washington Avenue west to 44th Avenue and follow signs to the museum parking. The nearest major airport is Denver International (DEN) - from there, drive west on I-70.

Tips for Visiting Colorado Railroad Museum #

  • Arrive by mid-morning to catch scheduled demonstrations and the operating heritage locomotives.
  • Allow time for the narrow-gauge yard and the rolling-stock exhibits; each engine has its own story plaque rarely read in a quick pass.
  • Check the museum calendar for weekend steam days if interested in seeing operational locomotives.

Best Time to Visit Colorado Railroad Museum #

Spring through fall is the best time for seeing operating equipment and events; winter visits are quieter but still worthwhile for exhibits.

Spring-Fall
April-October · 6-24°C (43-75°F)
Best months for outdoor exhibits and steam/operational days.
Winter
November-March · -10-8°C (14-46°F)
Colder but quieter; some rolling-stock demonstrations may be reduced.

Weather & Climate near Colorado Railroad Museum #

Climate

Colorado Railroad Museum's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 8°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 14 mm.

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-8°

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3° 12°

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
16°

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 70 mm of rain.

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
21°

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm).

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
10° 28°

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
14° 31°

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
13° 30°

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
26°

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4° 12°

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-7°

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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