Whippany Railway Museum is a railway museum and excursion train ride located in the Whippany section of Hanover Township in Morris County, New Jersey. The museum has a large collection of historic railroad equipment and artifacts and also offers excursions to visitors on weekends in May, June, July, September, and October.
The museum also has a caboose where you can climb aboard and experience the way rail workers traveled and lived on trains for 130 years. This exhibit explains how the railroad worked in the past, including the communication between trains and their crews. It also explains how rail travel changed from just transportation for the movement of goods to luxury train travel. It also shows how the railroads conquered the west and opened up the country for development. The exhibit also touches on how race affected the rail work as it relates to blacks in Pullman coaches as porters and supervisors and whites as conductors, engineers, and yardmasters.
A trip to the museum is a fun and educational way to spend the day. It is a great place for children and parents to learn about railroad history. The Museum is a non-profit and is run by volunteers.
In addition to the Museum’s historic railcars, locomotives and rolling stock on display, the museum also hosts several themed train rides throughout the year. One of these is the Easter Bunny Express which has been running since 1992 and is the original of its kind in North Jersey.
This is a wonderful way for families to celebrate the holidays together and enjoy the beauty of the New Jersey countryside. The train ride lasts about 45 minutes and the Easter Bunny makes a special appearance during the ride. The Museum’s website has information about ticketing and how to reserve tickets in advance.
The Whippany Railway Museum is a wonderful resource for New Jersey history and has proven that it is possible to maintain a quality operation through the hard work of dedicated volunteers. It has expanded its collection of New Jersey railroad history over the years, making it an excellent destination for both locals and tourists alike.
The Museum also has a restored 1904 freight house on site, with its outstanding collection of historic railroad and transportation artifacts. Several of these are on display inside the Museum and others can be seen in the outdoor exhibits. The Museum is also a popular location for photographers to capture the beautiful scenery of New Jersey and the nostalgic feel of train travel. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and welcomes all donations. Your support is crucial to maintaining this important piece of American history. Donations are tax deductible. To make a donation to the Museum, visit the Museum’s website or call them. A contribution to the Restoration Fund will be directed toward a currently in-progress equipment restoration project. The Whippany Railway Museum is a great place to bring the whole family to enjoy a nostalgic day of train riding and learning about New Jersey’s railroad history.
