Train Rides

There is something amazing about trains. The familiar whistle has always promised adventure. The gentle rock of the rails has set the rhythm of our lives. Experience it all again at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Catch a ride on-board Rio Grande Southern’s unique “Galloping Goose” Motorcar select Tuesdays January through mid-May!

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.

Ride on-board a passenger car pulled by a powerful locomotive Saturdays mid-January through mid-May and October (Thursdays through Sundays mid-May through mid-August).

Rides depart every 30 minutes 10am-3p.m. Saturdays January 16-August 31* & October 5, 12 & 26, 2024! Summer rides are available Thursdays-Sundays May 16 thru mid-August! Saturday Train Rides do NOT operate in September.

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.

Need a place to take the kids while they are out of school during Spring Break? The Colorado Railroad Museum has a solution! Enjoy Train Rides, pop-up exhibits and reenactors, a craft project, and a host of other special activities and demonstrations. It’s a week of hands-on activities related to the railroad and those connected with it. Mark your calendars now for March 19-22, 2024!

 Activities and demonstration take place each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Train Rides will depart every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: $10 adults. $5 ages 2-17. Members and children under age 2 are free. Train Rides: $4 adults and seniors. $2 ages 2-17. Members and children under age 2 are free.

All Aboard for Spring Break! Train Ride seating is limited, and reservations are recommended: Click Here to reserve yours today!

Steam-Up Rides depart every 30 minutes 10am-3p.m. select dates!

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.

 

COLORADO CROSSINGS: May 18-19, 2024

Celebrate the uniquely Colorado intersection of steam trains and Galloping Geese! Enjoy the rare thrill of THREE Galloping Geese and two coal-fired narrow gauge locomotives in operation. The event kicks off each day with a “parade” at 9:30 a.m., followed by train rides every half hour until 3 p.m. There will be fun activities for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular admission and train ride pricing applies. Advance purchase of admission and train ride tickets recommended.

DINOSAUR EXPRESS TRAIN: June 1-2, 2024

Railroad tracks meet dinosaur tracks for a day of exciting family fun. Ride behind a coal-fired steam locomotive, departing every half-hour from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and follow the dinosaur tracks around the Museum’s 15-acre railyard. Dinosaur-themed activities hosted by Dinosaur Ridge and Morrison Natural History Museum. Check out a dinosaur-themed LEGO Layout created by the Denver Lego Users Group and build your own dinosaur creations. Meet “Mr. Bones” along with our famous Spike the Railroad Dog. Food, drink and tasty treats available. The Dinosaur Express Train brings together two childhood favorites in a day-long celebration. Capacity is limited, advance ticket purchase recommended.

COLORADO POWER DAYS: June 22-23, 2024

Celebrate the uniquely Colorado intersection of steam trains and Galloping Geese! Enjoy the rare thrill of THREE Galloping Geese and two coal-fired narrow gauge locomotives in operation. The event kicks off each day with a “parade” at 9:30 a.m., followed by train rides every half hour until 3 p.m. There will be fun activities for the whole family from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular admission and train ride pricing applies. Advance purchase of admission and train ride tickets recommended.

GOLD RUSH DAYS: August 10-11, 2024

Celebrate Colorado’s Gold Rush heritage! As the long days of summer wind down, join us at the Colorado Railroad Museum for a relaxing afternoon and Steam-Up event, featuring special programming plus steam-powered train rides!

HARVEST HAUNT EXPRESS: October 19-20, 2024

The Colorado Railroad Museum’s annual Halloween-themed steam-up event is back! Grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with activities taking place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., including train rides. Guests are encouraged to come in costume for Trick-or-Treating!

Enjoy the Olde Railroaders Silly Graveyard, “not-so-spooky” Haunted Railcars, a hay bale maze, and musical ensembles performing throughout the day in our outdoor pavilion. Bring your camera, and get a great picture of your group’s costumes in front of the Pumpkin Patch cart. Tasty treats and lunchtime food options will be available for purchase.

An authentic, coal burning Colorado steam locomotive will pull trains for this event. Regular admission and train ride pricing applies. Capacity is limited, so advance ticket purchase is recommended!

In celebration of our partnerships with local groups and organizations the Colorado Railroad Museum is excited to offer FREE admission select dates throughout the year!

SCFD Free Admission Days:
To celebrate our partnership with the SCFD (Scientific and Cultural Facilities District) the Museum is proud to offer free general admission to all visitors select Thursdays throughout the year.

Catch an optional train ride behind a Diesel Engine, inside vintage passenger cars! Grounds & exhibits open 9am to 5pm. Rides operate 10am to 3pm.

March 14, 2024
May 8, 2024
October 3, 2024

Admission: Free
Ride Tickets: $4 Adults (18+), $2 Children (2-17). Museum members and children under the age of 2 are free.

Boulder County Free Admission Days:
To celebrate our partnership with the city of Boulder, Colorado, the Museum is excited to offer free general admission select dates to all residents of Boulder County. If you count yourself as a Boulder County resident, we invite you to join us in 2024! Proof of residency is required.

Catch an optional train ride behind inside vintage passenger cars! Grounds & exhibits open 9am to 5pm. Rides operate 10am to 3pm.

May 24, 2024
August 9, 2024
October 18, 2024

Admission: Free
Ride Tickets: $4 Adults (18+), $2 Children (2-17). Museum members and children under the age of 2 are free.

Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is rolling into Golden, Colorado for three weekends of fun this September!

Join us at Day Out With Thomas™, where families can join the outdoor fun when the #1 Engine pulls into the Colorado Railroad Museum on the weekends of September 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22, 2024!

Day Out With Thomas™ offers families and friends the opportunity to hang out with one of The Biggest Friends of All, Thomas the Tank Engine! Every ticket includes a train ride with a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine. You’ll also enjoy access to hands-free activities including live entertainment, scavenger hunt, hay bale maze, stage shows, sing-a-longs, and plenty of colorful fun and photo opportunities!

Tickets for this Day Out With Thomas™ event go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (member sales open July 23, 2024). Ticket prices are $25 for ages 1 and up (service charges and fees may apply). Capacity will be limited, and advanced tickets are required. Walk-up sales will not be available. For more information, and to purchase tickets (July 30), visit www.ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org.

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Day Out With Thomas™ event at the Colorado Railroad Museum, Click Here!

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

  • 20-minute Train Ride (at a specified time) led by a full-sized, talking Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive. This year’s train ride features an interactive story where you’ll earn your official Travel Badge by helping Thomas!

  • Admission to select portions of the Colorado Railroad Museum with outdoor offerings and activities included

  • Fun activities and entertainment featuring:

    • Live Theatrical Entertainment with juggling, magic show, acrobatics, sing-alongs, storytelling and more in spacious outdoor stage settings

    • Hay Bale Maze offering plenty of room for kids to explore and play

    • Scavenger Hunt featuring family fun as you work together to find all of the answers and items—and collect a few special mementos to take home for more fun later.

    • Hands-On Play in designated areas, including lawn games and Thomas play tables

    • Outdoor Scale Model Trains operating all day long on the Denver Garden Railway Society’s permanent on-site, landscaped G-gauge railroad

    • Push a Locomotive Around aboard a 120-year old, “armstrong”-powered railroad turntable

    • A special appearance by Sir Topham HattController of the Railway

    • Colorful Photo Opportunities throughout the event, including with Thomas himself!

    • Step-On Access to selected historic railroad cars and locomotives

  • Food, snacks, drinks and treats available on-site for purchase

  • Gift shop on-site with exclusive Thomas & Friends items only available at Day Out With Thomas

  • Tickets include a train ride at a designated time selected at the point of purchase, plus admission to museum grounds and all activities for up to three hours. Purchase tickets online at www.dayoutwiththomas.com

For more information about Thomas & Friends please visit www.thomasandfriends.com and/or www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends. For bonus material and exclusive content, please visit www.youtube.com/user/thomasandfriends.

PUBLIC SALES OPEN JULY 30, 2024

MEMBER SALES OPEN JULY 23, 2024

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride returns once again to the Colorado Railroad Museum! Sure to re-kindle the Christmas spirit in True Believers!

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ offers a unique, three-part theatrical extravaganza of Holiday Magic. Holiday Caroling and the “Hot Chocolate” song and dance kick things off each evening, performed in our newly renovated, heatedPOLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. A ride to the North Pole aboard vintage coaches, pulled by an authentic, coal-fired steam locomotive, is next. And finally, visiting with Santa tops off the experience!

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Tuesday, October 3. Museum Members will have an exclusive pre-purchase opportunity beginning one week earlier. Not a Member? Click Here to learn about the benefits of Museum Membership, including advance purchase opportunities for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride!
Watch for further updates right here on our website. All Aboard for Holiday Magic!

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
The experience begins in our newly renovated THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. Here you, your family and friends will gather around tables, sing carols, and watch a cabaret-style show as the “Hot Chocolate” song and dance unfolds before your eyes. Nibble on a tasty cookie, and sip your hot chocolate as the story of The Polar Express is dramatically re-enacted before your eyes.

The experience continues, as you step outside to witness the dramatic arrival of THE POLAR EXPRESS™. This symphony of smoke and steam emerges from the darkness, and the Conductor loudly asks if anyone would like climb aboard. Soon, you’re on your way to—the North Pole? Well yes, of course! There, you watch eagerly as the elves sing and dance, and Santa gives out The First Gift of Christmas.
Once the train with its sleepy passengers returns from the North Pole, you’ll have the opportunity to visit with Santa—and pick up your very own First Gift of Christmas, a Silver Bell! THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride remains an experience that you won’t want to miss. The entire, multi-part show is updated each year to feature several new twists!

TICKETING OPTIONS
For 2023, two ticketing levels are available: Standard Seating and First Class. For Standard Seating, guests may purchase tickets for the specific number in your party. First Class seating remains available for purchase only in tables of four.

We’re pleased to offer Discounted Pricing on all performances before Thanksgiving! In past years (including 2020-2022) this event has sold out quickly. For 2023, you won’t want to wait to purchase your tickets! 

Standard Seating
$80/person ages 2-15, $100/person ages 16 and older (Lap Riders under age 2 Free)
Performances prior to Thanksgiving, 10% off rates listed above

Your group will be seated together in THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion for the cabaret-style show, and then you’ll board one of three coaches for your ride to the North Pole! Hot cocoa, cookie, and—of course—a Silver Bell is included with each ticket. Lap Riders do not have access to individual seating. NOTE: Groups wishing to be seated together must purchase all tickets in a single transaction.

First Class
$475/table of four (plus up to two Lap Riders under age 2 free)
Performances prior to Thanksgiving, 10% off rate listed above

First Class groups are seated together right in front of the stage in our THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Pavilion. Then, you’ll board our parlor car to share your own table for your ride to the North Pole! First Class seating is available only as a complete table; your group can be up to four in size per table (plus up to two lap riders). Each table receives four commemorative Polar Express cocoa mugs, a copy of The Polar Express illustrated hardbound book, plus two special, added gifts. Hot cocoa, cookies, and—of course—First Class Silver Bells are included! 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
For 2023, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride performances are scheduled three times each evening. The season launches with performances various evenings each week, increasing to daily after Thanksgiving. Opening Night is November 10, and the final performances take place on December 23.

Arrival time is very important for 2023 due to our Polar Express Pavilion seating arrangements. Please make sure you’re on time so you don’t miss any of the cabaret-style pre-show, Hot Chocolate song and dance performance, and dramatic reading and re-enactment of The Polar Express story. Suggested arrival times are 4:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 7:30 p.m. to enjoy the pre-show; the Main Show begins promptly at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., or 8 p.m. Your magical train ride to the North Pole follows, but it’s only one chapter in a multi-part theatrical experience!
COVID PRECAUTIONS
Should masking or other precautions be mandated by local, state and/or federal authorities aboard trains or indoors, we’ll follow their guidance and let you know right away. Updated Information will be posted at this same site as it becomes available.

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

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

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