When it comes to railway museums, few are more celebrated than this iconic institution in Monticello. It’s a place where you can step back in time, and even drive a train (no, we’re not kidding). The museum is home to dozens of locomotives, and the vast majority of its employees are volunteers. The organization’s employees are trained to carry out important restoration work, and they also take the opportunity to educate visitors on a variety of railroad-related topics.
A day at the museum is a fascinating experience for people of all ages. The main attraction is the Great Hall, which houses an impressive collection of locomotives and carriages. Visitors can climb aboard a 1960s Shinkansen bullet train, and the Mallard exhibit allows you to step inside the powerful steam locomotive that broke the world record for speed in 1938. It was a revolutionary locomotive, with its aerodynamic shape designed to cut through the air at high speeds.
The museum is also home to a number of historic railway vehicles, including a locomotive tender, a dining car, and a model railway layout. The museum’s fleet of historic locomotives are all in good condition and have been carefully restored to their original appearance.
There are some 280 rail vehicles in the National Collection, with around 100 on display at any given time. This includes some of the earliest examples of wagonway vehicles, dating to about 1815. The museum’s collection of royal train saloons is particularly extensive, with examples ranging from Queen Victoria’s first trains to the ones used by Queen Elizabeth II in recent years.
In addition to the exhibits in the Great Hall, the museum has several other exhibition areas and a large outdoor area. The museum’s large outdoor railway runs over a two-mile line and provides visitors with an opportunity to ride in one of the museum’s historic trains. Guests can also take part in various activities, such as making their own train cars or building a model railway layout.
This is a must-see for anyone interested in railroad history, and it is a great place to bring the whole family. The museum has an extensive collection of railroad artifacts, including the original engine that inspired The Flying Scotsman. It also has a small museum shop and restaurant on site.
The museum offers daily 90-minute tours, and longer, more in-depth options are available. The museum is free to enter, but tickets must be purchased for the train rides. Tours are available in English and Spanish, and the guide will answer questions and provide information about the museum and its history. The museum is located near the famous Penrhyn Quarry, so you will be able to see some of the quarry’s historical railway equipment as well. The tours will take you through the roundhouse and into the engine shop, where you can get up close to a number of locomotives. The guide will discuss the museum’s history and explain what makes each locomotive unique.
