Good Railroad Museums

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tree68

Member since
December 2001
From: Northern New York
25,021 posts

Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 7:26 AM

1. I've been to several good railroad museums, and even a museum about a museum/theme park (Rail City, Sandy Pond, NY). My favorite so far is the B&O. Even a small museum, like the one in the Durand, MI station, can be a pleasure to visit.

2. I'll second the broad collection of equipment, particularly as it applies to the theme/locale of the museum. Just as important, though, is providing information about that equipment, ie, history, uses, etc. Despite being a railfan and model railroader for a number of years, I don't know it all, and always enjoy a pleasant surprise.

Having the equipment that is on display in reasonable condition goes a long way toward making the museum experience more enjoyable. If it's in rough shape, acknowledge the fact and indicate any plans to change or not change that.

Larry Whistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house)
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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mudchicken

Member since
December 2001
From: Denver / La Junta
10,820 posts

Posted by mudchicken on Monday, December 1, 2003 11:39 PM

(1) Hands down, Colorado Railroad Museum at Golden, CO

(2) A library, photographic, paper & ephemeral collection, an archivist and a broad representative collection of hardware. (while I respect the skills of some modellers, the REAL THING is what draws & awes me, museum generally does NOT imply fantacy toys)

Mudchicken

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west

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Anonymous

Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts

Good Railroad Museums

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 1, 2003 9:55 PM

I would like to ask two questions for this thread: 1) What are your favorite RR Museums?, and 2)what makes a good railroad museum?
I volunteer at a small RR/RR town society museum in Brunswick MD (small tools, photos, town artifacts, and a HUGE HO scale layout of the B&O Metropolitan sub-division from D.C. to Brunswick, but no actual rolling stock), and would like opinions on what makes the good museums good.