What is the best railway museum to see real trains (not the model trains) on display, anywhere in the US?Tnx!?

Question

My 6 yr old is passionate about trains and learning more about different kinds of trains. We live in virginia. The museums close to where we are seem to have more of model trains than the real thing. Please tell us where to go if we want to see a collection of real train engines. thanks much in advance.

Answer 1

I seem to remember my grandparents taking me some where in New England like that one time. I think it was in CT which is where my grandparents lived.

I went there with my kids a few years ago and wanted to take my son there but it was closed during this time of the year. I think it is only open during the summer time.

I can't remember the name of the place though. But you also got to ride on a steam engine. It was a lot of fun as a kid and my son at the time was 4.

I'd suggest doing a search online to see what you can find.

Answer 2

Best thing is to take $20 Vamoose Bus to NYC Penn Station.

Vamoose Bus- DC-NYC bus stop at Arlington, VA

at 1801 N Lynn St

Between 19 St N & Wilson Blvd.

In front of Cosi Cafe - One block from Metro station

Metro: (Rosslyn Station, Blue & Orange Line)

With each ticket, you received coupon. If you correct 4 coupons, you'll get on it for FREE!!

At NY Penn Station,

Transfer to Brooklyn-bound 2/3 to Borough Hall Station where you could visit the NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT MUSEUM!!

NYCT Museum has various oldest fleet of subway cars, well as history of how subways were built.

Museum is formelly located on unused station called Court St Station.

It cost $5 per person. Child under 12 should be free.

NYCT Museum also host special program that you could get on old subway rides along certain ride, but cost about $30 for non-member and children is.

On April 13th, there will be tour of NYC Bus Depot at Grand Av Depot.

Answer 3

I've been fascinated by trains my whole life as well. For a historical perspective, try the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. If you want to see passenger trains in action, try the Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, IL. Then head across the street to Union Station to see what Amtrak is offering that day. For the ultimate freight experience, you'd have to go to Bailey Yards, in North Platte, NE. The largest freight classification yard in the world!

Answer 4

Sacramento, California State Railroad Museum.  A huge display of beautifully restored locomotives and rolling stock, most in operating order. Plan on spending the entire day.  There is a lot to see. Very educational as well.

Take a two hour drive to Jamestown and see the steam operations of the Sierra Railroad, or four hours to the Yreka Western for their steam operation, over to the coast to Fort Bragg for the Skunk Train, then down south of SF to Felton, Calif., for the Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, where vintage Shays, Climaxes and other logging equipment is under steam.

And, on the way to or from the Golden State, swing into Ely, Nevada, for the ultimate train buff experience.  Here, The Nevada Northern has a "rent-an-engine" program, where you will be taught and allowed to run any of a couple restored vantage diesel electrics or one of two steam engines.

Make a summer vacation out of it.  Your 6 yr old will remember it forever.  And, so will you.

Answer 5

LB,

Are you interested in museums or "hotspots," where you can go trackside to watch lots and lots of real trains?  If you're interested in museums there is the O. Winston Link Museum and Virginia Museum of Transportation both of which are in Roanoke (both also have fine railroad collections).  If you are near North Carolina you can go visit the North Carolina Transportation Museum which offers train rides and an entire roundhouse full of trains.  Baltimore is home to the world famous Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, which is well worth the visit.  

Anyway, these are just a few off the top of my head; the last link below will take to a state-by-state guide to railroad museums and if you are looking for anything in particular just let me know and I'll be happy to help!

Answer 6

The Virginia Museum of Transportation.

http://www.vmt.org/

Cass Scenic Railroad is a great one, in West Virginia.

http://www.cassrailroad.com/

here is a list by states.

http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/Tourista-AE.htm...

http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/Tourista-FM.htm...

http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/Tourista-NR.htm...

http://www.cwrr.com/nmra/Tourista-SZ.htm...

Answer 7

Dearborn Michigan -- Greenfield Village. (Detroit)

Omaha Nebraska the Union Pacific Museum

Kearney Nebraska -- Harold Thorp Museum