Colorado Railroad Museum Offers Comprehensive Look Into Rail History

By Olivia Venuta

Twelve miles west of downtown Denver you can spot a bright yellow building, tucked away among a sea of train cars. Inside, your journey will begin. Through videos, gallery exhibits, and hands-on activities, you can experience life on the tracks.

Running on coal, steam engines, and passionate volunteers, the Colorado Railroad Museum is a Golden staple. From special events like the Polar Express and Thomas the Train to daily activities such as train rides and informational tours, the CRRM is an experience for all ages.

The state of Colorado has a rich history rooted in railroads, dating back to the late 1860s. The CRRM wants visitors to appreciate the important role that railroads and their workers have played in the expansion and growth of Colorado.

However, the museum’s mission is only possible due to the hard work of their 300-plus volunteers. The nonprofit only employs about 12 people, making volunteers an integral part of the system. “The railroad museum doesn’t function without volunteers,” says Bill Brown, 2020 Volunteer of the Year, “I tease the management that their job is to manage volunteers. Most everything that gets done (at the CRRM) is done by volunteers.”

The Colorado Railroad Museum originally opened in 1959 with the goal to preserve a tangible record of Colorado’s railroad era for future generations. Today they own more than 100 narrow- and standard-gauge steam and diesel locomotives and have plenty of space for more. The railyard stretches 15 acres and railway tracks surround the premises. Train rides around the property are available, providing a great view of the landscape and the vast collection of locomotives.

Although the massive machines often steal the show, the CRRM is working on highlighting the human experience. The Depot Museum’s upper gallery is showcasing an exhibit called Colorado Railroads & The Black Experience, while the lower gallery is featuring human stories about the migration west. Rob Kramer, deputy director, believes that stories are what connect us to the past. He says the museum knows that not everyone is interested in train mechanics, but we can all relate to the human experience.

This past year has been challenging for many businesses but the CRRM has managed to keep the doors open and the trains moving. The museum took a brief two-month intermission in the spring of 2020, shutting down all services to prioritize safety. During the initial reaction to COVID-19, the CRRM was forced to sideline almost all volunteers. Instead of the usual 300, they were down to six.

With the assistance of masks and social distancing, the museum was able to pick up right where they left off in the summer. Brown says that most of the volunteers are back now, with the exception of those with chronic health issues. The average volunteer at the CRRM is older to start with, meaning many volunteers were forced to prioritize their health and safety above the museum.

For some volunteers like Shannon McGee, volunteering weekly still fits into her schedule. McGee, former President of the Board of Trustees, has been involved in the museum since 1996 and these days, she can be found in the library, one of the most comprehensive railroad reference libraries in the country.

For others, as Brown put it, “the museum functions as an adult daycare program,” he says, “It’s a place for me to go to get out of the house.” Being retired, he considers himself a professional volunteer, giving his time to the CRRM, Lutheran Medical Center, and with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He is working full-time, without the paychecks.

When you visit the Colorado Railroad Museum, be sure to wander the entire property. Don’t be a-freight to explore every exhibit and train car. There is so much to see and even more to learn.

In September, the CRRM is planning the ever-popular Day Out With Thomas event. In November and December, The Polar Express Train Ride is expected to transport family’s to the North Pole. Check the website for specific times, dates and COVID restrictions.

Remember, the CRRM wants to expose you to the role of railroads in history, but Brown says, “we don’t even want them to know they learned anything. We want them to feel like they were entertained.”