Adult Education
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.
THE FRIDAY TOUR
Highlights Tour every Friday at 10:30am
Special Topic Tour every Friday 1:30PM-2:30PM
Guided Theme Tour: $3 plus General Admission (Free for Museum Members, ages under 2).
Each Friday, the Museum offers two traditional 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.
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.
2022 Special Topic Tour Dates & Subjects
Moving the Message Tour: July 1, September 2 & November 4.
The Locomotive: Steam & Diesel Tour: July 15, September 16, October 21 & December 16.
The Caboose Tour: May 27, July 29, September 30 & November 11.
Railroad Etiquette: June 24, August 19, September 23, November 25 & December 9.
The Galloping Goose Tour: July 22, September 9, October 14 & December 30.
The Railroad Kitchen Tour: June 10, July 8, August 26 & November 18.
The RPO (Railroad Post Office) Car Tour: June 17, August 12 & October 28.
The Pullman Tour: June 3, August 5, October 7 & December 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.
Click here to reserve Friday Tour Tickets in advance!
BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS
Members Only
Join staff members of the Colorado Railroad Museum for a unique, behind the scenes tour experience on Member Appreciation Days throughout the year!
Sunday May 29, 2022 – Click here to RSVP!
Guests are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear, and able to walk over uneven ground without assistance. Limited capacity per tour for social distancing purposes. Depending on the tour some age restrictions may apply. Click the above dates for additional details as they are released!
COLORADO RAILS & COCKTAILS
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.
2022 SCHEDULE
June 3, 2022 – Locomotive No.491 and Other News from the Roundhouse Join our curator of rolling stock, Jeff Taylor as he brings us up to speed with the work happening at the Colorado Railroad Museum’s Roundhouse. He will be paying especial attention to the recent work done on Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad’s Locomotive No. 491.
August 5, 2022 – Pullman: American’s Hotel on Wheels Rich Luckin’s documentary, Pullman: America’s Hotel on Wheels looks at the story of the Pullman railroad passenger car from its founder, George Pullman, those who worked on the rail car and the impact this passenger car had on the Civil Rights movement. More than a railroad story, Pullman, the program combines transportation and social history.
October 7, 2022 – Colorado, Railroads, and the World’s Fairs Historian Kris Autobee joins us for this fun look at how Colorado and its railroads participated in various World’s Fairs. Railroads have been featured alongside a wide range of ideas and products, culture, commerce and entertainment, since their inception in 1851. Coloradoans joined in by bringing their own products and experiences to share with the world.
Click here to reserve your tickets in advance!
Touring the Rails
Touring the Rails – 10:00am-2:00pm
Saturdays and Sundays, May 12 through August 14, 2022 EXCEPT when there is a special event that happens instead (May 28 & 29, June 18 & 19, August 14 & 15, 2022).
Included with admission – Click here to RSVP!
Join us at the Colorado Railroad Museum each weekend (through mid-August) for opportunities to explore history at your own pace! Volunteers are stationed at key locations throughout our outdoor Railyard to answer questions and point out some of railroading’s less obvious but more universal aspects between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Try your hand at our low-tech yet fun diesel locomotive simulator. Learn how our turntable uses balance and leverage so a single person can push a steam locomotive all by themselves! Learn more about the telegraph, America’s first form of revolutionary electronic communication, which dates from over 180 years ago. (Included with regular Museum Admission.) Train Rides also available 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Admission: $10 adults, $5 ages 2-17, $8 seniors ages 60+. Free for Museum members and children under age 2.
Train Rides: $4 adults, $2 ages 2-17. Free for Museum members & children under age 2.
Grounds open 9am–5pm, rides operate every 30 minutes 10am to 3pm (crews take a lunch break at 12:30pm).
