Never Stop Learning
The Colorado Railroad Museum’s popular topical lecture series, Rails & Cocktails, returns with a diverse schedule of talented presenters. Additional programs include Behind-the-Scenes Tours and other unique experience opportunities.
Each Friday, the Museum offers two traditional walking tours. The Highlight Tour acts as a wonderful introduction to the Museum, its collections and the railroads impact on Colorado’s history.
Visitors can also join us for the afternoon tour where each week our trained guides delve more deeply into a different aspect of Colorado’s railroad history.
Highlights Tour every Friday at 10:30am
Special Topic Tour every Friday 1:30PM-2:30PM
Tours are subject to change and are based on guide availability. Each week’s theme is explored using a variety of museum resources to help bring the subject to life with the understanding that guests are welcome to continue their visit on their own after their tour.
2024 Special Topic Tour Dates & Subjects
Afternoon Highlight Walking Tour:
March 29, May 3, August 23.
“Moving the Message” Walking Tour:
June 28, October 4, November 1.
Steam & Diesel Locomotive Walking Tour:
May 10, July 12, September 13, October 18, November 29, December 20.
The Caboose Walking Tour:
April 19, May 24, July 26, September 27, November 8, December 13.
The Galloping Goose Walking Tour:
April 5, May 17, July 19, August 2, October 11, December 27.
The Railroad Kitchen Walking Tour:
March 15, May 31, June 14, July 5, August 30, November 15.
The RPO (Railroad Post Office) Walking Tour:
March 22, April 12, June 7, August 9, September 6, October 25, December 6
Freight Train Walking Tour:
April 26, June 21, August 16, September 20, November 22
Guided Theme Tour: $3 plus General Admission (Free for Museum Members, ages under 2).
General Admission: $10 adults, $5 kids 2-15 (under 2 is free), $8 seniors (60+). Museum members and children under age 2 are free.
An Evening of Colorado History – Relax, enjoy a beverage and travel back to a time when railroads shaped the American West.
7:00pm Select Fridays
Presentation lengths vary, bar opens at 6:30pm.
Admission: $20 Adults. Ages 21+ only. Admission includes 2 beverages of your choice (beer, wine or soda) and snacks (provided by The Cheese Ranch Deli).
AUGUST 2nd – The History of Railroads in Palisade, Colorado by Matt Darling
Matt Darling has dedicated years to studying the intricate history of American railroads. As an expert on Western railroads, Darling has contributed extensively through his publications and lectures. His most recent book, The History of Railroads in Palisade, Colorado, delves into the rich history of Palisade’s rise as a railroad hub from 1890 onwards.
In the late 19th century, railroad expansion brought new opportunities and prosperity to the West. The journey of establishing routes through the mountainous terrain of Colorado was filled with challenges, causing Palisade’s inclusion on these routes to come relatively late. However, once connected in 1890, Palisade rapidly became an essential hub for shipping the renowned Palisade peaches and other fruit to the Midwest. Additionally, it was a significant source of bituminous coal. Passenger trains also serviced the town for several decades, making it a bustling center of activity.
Join us as Darling explores the pivotal role of the railroad in Palisade’s development. His presentation will illuminate the town’s transformation into a vital shipping hub, the complex engineering feats required to lay tracks through Colorado’s rugged landscapes, and the changing dynamics that followed. This engaging program promises a journey through the historical intricacies of railroading in Palisade, filled with stories of innovation and the local peach industry.
OCTOBER 4th – Memories Aboard the American Orient Express with Steve Patterson
Delve into an evening of captivating stories and vivid photography as author and lecturer Steve Patterson brings a wealth of firsthand experience from his years aboard the American Orient Express, once America’s premier rail cruise train. From its humble beginnings in the 1990s to its peak in the early 2000s, Patterson served as Lecturer and Assistant Tour Guide on 47 memorable journeys.
A native of East Tennessee and retired from a distinguished 42-year career with the Santa Fe railway and its successor BNSF, Patterson’s passion for rail travel spans continents. He and his wife Maxine have called Arvada home for 44 years, and his deep connection to rail history is evident through his long-standing membership at the Colorado Railroad Museum, where he can often be found volunteering in the museum library on Fridays.
Join us for an evening of nostalgia and insight as Patterson shares tales from the rails, reflecting on the American Orient Express’s transformation into Grand Luxe Rail Journeys and its ultimate fate. His captivating presentation, accompanied by his personal photography displayed on the Museum’s big-screen Video Wall, promises an immersive journey into life aboard this iconic train. This program is a must-attend for enthusiasts of rail history and those captivated by the glamour and intrigue of luxury rail travel.
For the early part of January, the Colorado Railroad Museum does NOT offer Saturday Train Rides. The Museum Depot and Outdoor Railyard are open as usual Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Early winter in Colorado can be delightful, but when winter weather comes to Colorado, it can become frightful! Snowfall can vary greatly by region, and we strive to clear parking lots and pathways for your safety, but sometimes it’s just not safe. If it’s snowing mightily outside, or if the snow has just stopped after a large snowfall event, please call ahead (Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) before your visit: (303) 279-4591.
Tour The Colorado Railroad Museum
The familiar whistle has always promised adventure. The gentle rock of the rails has set the rhythm of our lives. Enjoy touring our outdoor railyard filled with vestiges of Colorado’s rich railroad heritage. See our indoor HO Model Railroad and our Changing Exhibits. Then, catch a ride on-board a passenger train pulled by a powerful, vintage locomotive!
The Colorado Railroad Museum features a large, outdoor exhibit space and is effectively an active rail yard. Please wear appropriate clothing for Colorado weather and good footwear – we recommend good walking shoes or hiking boots as well as flexible layers. Grounds open Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday Train Rides depart every 30 minutes 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (crews take a lunch break at 12:30 p.m).
UPCOMING EVENTS BY DATE
