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2025 has been a year of expanding horizons, along with the launch of exciting new initiatives at the Colorado Railroad Museum!

Thanks to the support of generous donors like you, we were able to continue our planned program of expansion, along with significant locomotive and rolling stock refurbishment projects and much, much more during the course of this year. And for the second year in a row, the Museum is “Still On Track” to welcome over 100,000 visitors in 2025!

Perhaps most significantly, the Museum announced several initiatives to help commemorate Colorado’s 150th anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the United States. Locomotives and rolling stock traveling to Durango, as well as to the Museum, have already been announced and will be making special guest appearances and excursions. Watch for more exciting news in the coming months!

Several major Facilities initiatives were completed during 2025. The most noteworthy is the addition of a permanent, accessible restroom facility adjacent to the Museum’s Pavilion— which is so pivotal to all of our events including member receptions, Colorado Rails & Cocktails lectures, community celebrations, and of course, the Museum’s own blockbuster themed events, Day Out With Thomas™ and THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.

The 2024 introduction (at long last) of High- Speed Internet service to the Museum has led, in turn, to business systems and software modernization initiatives in 2025. Although most of these are not outwardly visible, what our guests do notice is our new ability to accept digital and mobile payments, in addition to cash and credit/debit cards. Online ticketing and membership renewals have also gotten much easier—and monthly, recurring gifts are a new option for donors!

Another major step forward is the continuing work on a new raised viewing platform. Designed to protect prized pieces of rolling stock under an already completed canopy roof, while allowing guests improved and fully accessible viewing opportunities, the steel platform itself was installed this fall after being fabricated at a nearby metalworking shop. A second track will be constructed in 2026, and Colorado Midland observation No. 111 will join Burlington business car No. 96 under the canopy once its exterior restoration is finished, completing this long-awaited facility.

Work continues on the Museum’s locomotives and cars, too. Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) streamlined diesels No. 5771 and 5762, icons of the Rio Grande Zephyr until its early 1980s demise, have been repainted and are once again gleaming! Over in the Roundhouse, Colorado’s oldest existing locomotive, Denver, Leadville & Gunnison No. 191, is having a new wood cab fabricated, with work progressing nicely.

D&RGW steam locomotive No. 491’s new tender cistern, fabricated at the end of last year to replace the locomotive’s quickly deteriorating tender tank, has been mated with the existing tender frame. Original grab rails and other appurtenances were reaffixed, and the tender has been painted and returned to service. Colorado’s oldest operating steam locomotive, D&RGW No. 346, remains in Durango with major repairs getting under way this winter.

The Museum’s largest diesel-electric locomotive, No. 7 “Big Al”, received four new wheels this year, completing the replacement of all eight wheels, a project which began last year. And woodworking and window replacement continue on 1887-vintage Colorado Midland observation car No. 111; when completed, this Centennial State icon will be displayed at the aforementioned viewing platform.

With the news that Rio Grande Southern (RGS) steam locomotive No. 20 would be traveling offsite to Durango this winter for special excursions, an unexpected opportunity arose: the chance to restore RGS caboose No. 0404 and have it be part of these excursions. The caboose is currently in Durango, with this work progressing nicely under contract.

The Museum is more than construction and restoration, of course. Earlier this year, we celebrated decades of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club (founded in 1938) during the Museum’s annual Colorado Crossings weekend steam-up event this past May. As you may have heard, the Rocky Club has merged with the Colorado Railroad Museum, with the goal of continuing the Club’s legacy of rail enthusiast excursions, monthly railroad news updates, and ongoing programming.

In early October, the Museum also debuted an all-new exhibit entitled Traqueros: Mexican Trackworkers and the American Railroad. This exhibit shares the stories and experiences of traqueros and braceros, including some of the challenges these instrumental workers faced along the way, as they built and maintained America’s railroads from the late 19th century through World War II. To kick off the exhibit, we hosted special guest Jose Aguayo— whose father was a traquero—for two nights of member and donor receptions in the Pavilion.

Central to the Museum’s work is realizing a new vision for the future. Included are major facility improvements, enhanced programs, and a focus on community outreach. As part of this vision, the Museum needs room not only to expand, but perhaps more importantly, it also needs “buffer zones” to ensure it remains a treasured part of its rural neighborhood. During 2025, two additional, adjacent parcels of property were acquired immediately adjacent to the Museum’s current Golden campus!

Together with the four-acre parcel that CRRM closed on in early 2024, and with next steps already under way to acquire additional parcels as well, these new acquisitions mean the Museum is well on its way to achieving the goals of its ambitious Strategic Plan.

As you can see, the Colorado Railroad Museum is planning for a bright future in 2026 and beyond. To continue this historic momentum, however, we urgently need your support! The Museum’s ability to accomplish major projects and initiatives going forward depends on contributions from generous donors—and this is where you can really help! In the coming year we will continue the ongoing work of transforming the Museum, broadening its appeal by completing a number of important projects. These include:

• Paying off property acquisition loans as quickly as possible, which in turn will allow the Museum to continue its record growth. We are also continuing negotiations to acquire additional, key properties nearby. Together, these efforts will enable the Museum to continue focusing on its comprehensive plans for expansion and physical improvements.
• Creating and installing directional “wayfinding” signage, and expanding content for self-guided tours around the Museum grounds. There’s so much more we can share with each and every Museum visitor throughout the year!
• Reconstruction of Colorado’s oldest operating steam locomotive, Denver & Rio Grande Western No. 346, will move into full swing in Durango in 2026. To date, engineering assessment work has been completed on the boiler, with wheel, axle and bearing work along with repairs to the firebox coming next to ensure No. 346’s safe operation well into the future.
• In our Roundhouse and restoration shop, the Museum will continue with significant rail vehicle repairs and maintenance, including a new tender frame and cab for Colorado’s oldest steam locomotive, Denver, Leadville & Gunnison No. 191. In keeping with its efforts to maintain the Museum’s many rail vehicles, the coming year’s plans also include repainting additional railroad cars and locomotives.

The year 2026 is shaping up to be filled with even more progress! As always, however, the Colorado Railroad Museum depends on the support of donors and members to make these bold plans possible. With your continued generosity we will not only prosper, but continue to share Colorado’s rich railroad heritage with a growing audience—while attaining even bigger goals! As a member of the Museum’s extended family, won’t you please consider making a generous contribution today?

Sincerely,

Paul Hammond
Executive Director

P.S. Several key supporters are making a new $75,000 Challenge Contribution in support of the Museum’s Property Expansion Campaign. When making your tax-deductible donation, please consider designating for this purpose—and your contribution will be doubled! This important campaign in 2024 and 2025 also received $100,000 Challenge Contributions from Dave Ropchan and Barb Melby, and we thank them especially, along with each and every one of you who has stepped forward to support this important and ongoing need!