New Jersey has a rich railroad history and you can experience it for yourself by visiting one of the numerous train attractions in the state. From historic train stations and steam locomotives to model railroad museums showcasing miniature fantasy-lands, you’ll find plenty to see and do for rail enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
The Morris County Central Railroad Museum is the result of the vision of a group of railroad enthusiasts who formed the Morris County Central Historical Society, Inc. in 1952 to preserve the historic railroad equipment of this important New Jersey area and to share it with the public for their educational enjoyment. This non-profit organization is a membership organization, governed by representatives of several railroad historical societies in the state with the goal of collecting and preserving a large collection of locomotives, trains, and other railroad artifacts of significant New Jersey interest.
This unique museum focuses on the preservation of historic railroad equipment, with the main attraction being an operational steam engine. The museum also displays a number of other railroad artifacts, including rail road memorabilia such as dining car place settings and railroad lanterns, along with an extensive collection of photographs. In addition to the museum, the MCC also offers a number of scenic excursion train rides throughout the year.
The Railroad Museum of America is a working museum, with the entire public area devoted to railroad history. This museum isn’t a traditional building full of artifacts; instead, you ride the train and walk around the rail yard to enjoy the museum.
This museum is the largest in the state and features a variety of trains, from historic passenger cars to freight cars. The museum has been in operation since the 1950s and is a great place for kids to learn about railroading. They can also take a ride on a vintage steam train, which is a great way to see what railroading was like in the past.
Located in a restored 1904 freight house, the Union Railroad Historical Society has an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia. The collection includes a gondola that was once used in Europe, an old passenger coach that once served on the CNJ Freehold Branch, a crossing shanty, a maintenance shop, a railway post office, a caboose, and more. In addition, there is an extensive HO scale model train display.
The museum is home to a 4,000-square-foot train layout that showcases hundreds of HO scale models of trains and rail cars. The museum also has a number of historical railcars on display, including a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger car from 1872 and an ex-Morris County Central freight car. The museum is open from April through October and offers various train excursions for visitors to enjoy.
The Maywood Station Museum has been carefully restored to its original condition and is home to fascinating photographs, historical artifacts and even a restored caboose. It is an excellent destination for rail enthusiasts, as it demonstrates how the train has transformed the country over the years and is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.
