School Programs

The Colorado Railroad Museum’s school programming for field trips and outreach materials are designed to engage students using historical objects and primary sources that build critical thinking skills, encourage vocabulary development and address Colorado Academic Standards.

Whether it’s one of our ongoing programs or a program related to our changing exhibitions – the Colorado Railroad Museum is committed to helping your students connect with and understand the topics critical to making Colorado what it is today, and the instrumental role that railroads played in that story.

Hope to see you soon!

Celebrate the impact railroads had on the growth of Colorado and the west through a variety of hands-on activities.

10:00am-2:00pm
Thursday & Friday April 25 & 26, 2024
Designed for Grades 2-6

Ride behind a historic Colorado locomotive, learn Morse code, explore why and how people migrated, tour a passenger car, try turning the turntable and more! Area cultural partners join the museum at this program to help tell this important story!

Bring your students to a place where they can:

  • Ride behind a historic steam locomotive.
  • Dive into how railroads influenced the settlement of the West.
  • Learn about Robert Lewis Stevenson and his travels to the West.
  • Try your hand at Morris Code and other forms of communication.
  • Explore what people brought with them when migrating West.
  • Discuss the impacts of westward expansion on the indigenous people and land.
  • Tour a railroad passenger car.
  • Discover how steam locomotives work.
  • Understand the rules of staying safe around trains and railroads.

Plus so much more…Space is limited so make your reservations early to ensure a spot!

Admission: $9 per person, per day (includes train ride).

Educators, please save time and fill out the Rail Days Reservation Form available here and send the completed reservation form to roni@crrm.org.

Questions? Email roni@crrm.org or call 720-274-5147.

“Colorado without railroads is relatively useless.”
 – Territorial Governor John Evans

Feedback from educators:
“Thank you so much for the beyond amazing day! My students took away so much. Your staff was very engaging and knew this age group so well.  We are looking forward to always making the trip each year. Loved it!”
– Julia’s Crew

Rides depart every 30 minutes from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month January 16th, – May 7th, 2024!

Admission: $10 adults, $5 ages 2-17, $8 age 60+.
Rides: $4 adults, $2 ages 2-17.
Free for Museum members and children under age 2.

At the Museum:

Colorado Railroads On Your Own
Grades: preK – 12th grade $4.00 per student
This self-guided tour begins with a short welcome by museum staff before you set off on your own adventure.

Trains!
Grades: preK – 1st grade $4.00 per student
Learn the names of the different rail cars & the work they do!

Westward Ho! Colorado
Grades: 3rd grade-12th grade $4.00 per student
Explore the railroad’s impact on westward expansion and Colorado’s settlement!

Machines in the Age of Rail
Grades: 6th – 12th grade $4.00 per student
Delve into the simple and complex machines found at the museum’s active railyard!

*NEW* Riding the train at the Colorado Railroad Museum
Students can now experience what it was like to ride a historic train!
 * On public train ride days $4/per adult & $2/per child
 * Guest train ride opportunities when not running public trains:
   –
Galloping Goose #7$500
     (1-100 Guests, 25 maximum per trip)
     Note: not available during pandemic
   –
Diesel Locomotive with Passenger Cars – $1,250
     (1-500 Guests, 125 maximum per trip)
   – Steam Locomotive with Passenger Cars – $3,000
     (1-500 Guests, 125 maximum per trip)

Please note – masks are required aboard trains & in Buildings for everyone ages 2 and older in alignment with local & Federal regulations.

EDUCATION BROCHURE
RESERVATION FORM

Please save and fill out the Field Trip Reservation Form available here and send the completed form to fieldtrips@crrm.org.

Questions? Email fieldtrips@crrm.org.

LOGISTICS

Availability
Field trips are available by reservation Tuesday through Friday from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. Special arrangements can be made to accommodate different times.

Cost
• See individual program listings
• Free admission for one adult chaperone for every five children (under 6) or 1 adult every 15 children. $10 for each adult over this ratio.
• Payment in full is due on the day of your field trip.

IN YOUR CLASSROOM

In Classroom Reservation Form

Artifact Trunks
PreK – 6th grades
Cost: $50 per class.
Explore the railroad through its objects!
• Technology & Trains
• Economy on the Tracks
• Social Customs on the Railroad

Meet My Friend…
ALL Grades
Cost: $100 per class.
• Ephraim Goble (Rail Yard Worker)
• Mary Coulter (Designer for AT&SF Railway)
• Hobo (Riding the rails looking for work)
• Harvey Girl (Waitress in Harvey Houses)

Great Big Map of Colorado – Train Timeline
2nd – 6th grades
Cost: $50
Learn how Colorado came to be settled from a railroad point of view using the giant map of Colorado to “lay” track.

A History of the Impact of Colorado’s Railroads, a Primary Source Set
3rd – 4th grades

Cost: Free

COLORADO ACADEMIC STANDARDS

Curriculum Standards

An updated overview of the Colorado Academic Standards addressed by each program is coming soon!

1

Come Hitch a Ride

15-acre railyard with over 100 locomotives is waiting for you to explore. 

Address

17155 W. 44th Avenue
Golden, CO 80403

Office hours

Open Daily
9:00am – 5:00pm

Call us

(800) 365-6263

Let's get connected

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