Wild West Days, Thomas Tickets—and Happy 150th, Colorado!
It’s almost August! This month, experience history in action during Wild West Days at the Colorado Railroad Museum, plus gear up for the return of everyone’s favorite blue engine, Thomas the Tank Engine! Tickets for Day Out With Thomas™ at the Colorado Railroad Museum are on sale now! Here’s a preview of what’s heading our way as summer continues:
• Colorado’s 150th Anniversary celebration: Tomorrow, August 1st, join the Museum as it commemorates 150 years of Colorado statehood during “Colorado 150 Day: Picture This!” featuring special programming and steam train rides!
• Wild West Days! Celebrate Colorado’s uniquely Western heritage, and ride behind one of the last coal-fired steam locomotives operating in Colorado! This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, featuring engaging and fun activities plus great photo opportunities.
• Colorado Rails & Cocktails: Next Friday, August 7, our popular evening lecture series focuses on Mines, Mills, and Railroads of Gilpin County. Join historian and Museum volunteer Mark Baldwin as he takes us on a journey through the history of Gilpin County, highlighting how mining communities like Black Hawk and Central City were shaped and supported by railroads.
• Day Out With Thomas™ Tickets: The popular event Day Out With Thomas™ returns to the Museum for three weekends in September (12-13, 19-20 and 26-27). Tickets are NOW ON SALE! This event has completely sold out well in advance every year since 2020, so don’t delay.
• Carson City “Gander!” This Labor Day Weekend, the Museum’s Rio Grande Southern “Galloping Goose” motor No. 7 will head west to Carson City, Nevada for a special gathering of railroad motorcars.
• Volunteer Fair at the Museum: Have you ever considered becoming part of the Museum’s volunteer team? Saturday, August 15, visit the Museum for a Volunteer Fair where you can ask questions, meet other team members, and learn more about upcoming volunteer opportunities including Day Out With Thomas™ and THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
• Train Rides Thursday-Sunday: Just two more weeks are left, with our expanded summer season soon scaling back for 2026. Enjoy a leisurely train ride and experience special activities every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through August 9!
• Conversations Colorado: The Center for Railroad Photography & Art will be hosting a one day conference at the the Museum on August 22. More details inside!
All this and more are covered in this issue of the Telegrapher. As you can see, we have an exciting lineup of events, programs and activities planned for the end of this summer and heading into fall!
Thank you for your continued support of the Colorado Railroad Museum, and its mission of bringing Colorado’s rich railroad heritage to life throughout the year. All Aboard!
Paul Hammond
Executive Director
IN THIS ISSUE:
Colorado 150 Day – Picture This!
Wild West Days & Steam up Event - August 9-10
Colorado Rails & Cocktails: Scenic Trips and Picnics
Day Out With Thomas™ 2026 - TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
Goose No. 7 Heads West!
Sunday Goose Rides Return
Become a Museum Volunteer
Through August 9: Train Rides Thursday-Sunday
Looking Ahead: October-December 2026
The Latest Online Content
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Colorado 150 Day: Picture This!
TOMORROW—Saturday, August 1, 2026
Colorado turns 150 tomorrow! Join us at the Colorado Railroad Museum for Colorado 150 Day: Picture This!, featuring special programming centered around one of the West’s most famous early photographers—plus steam-powered train rides!
This one-day-only special event will explore William Henry Jackson, the prolific photographer, painter, and explorer whose iconic images helped document the American West, including Colorado. Join us as we celebrate Colorado’s statehood and the railroad’s influence on the economic and social growth of our state.
Experience the history of railroading in Colorado through special tours, reenactments, and exhibits highlighting the railroad's enduring influence on Colorado's development and growth while commemorating this milestone anniversary. You'll even have the unique opportunity to tour two historic business cars. Climb aboard Rio Grande Southern No. B-21, once named "Rico," and Denver & Rio Grande Western No. B-8—both of which Jackson actually rode during an 1890s tour of the Rio Grande Southern!
Grounds open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with special programs and activities taking place both days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Train Rides depart every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Remember, NEW this year, online pre-reserved tickets for this event include BOTH admission and a train ride! Order online in advance to SAVE! Online Tickets: $17 Adults, $7 Kids (ages 2-17), $15 Seniors (ages 60+) On-Site Tickets: $22 Adults, $12 Kids (ages 2-17), $20 Seniors (ages 60+). Free for Museum members (remember to pre-reserve!), and children under age 2. For tickets and more info, Click Here. All Aboard as Colorado commemorates 150 years of statehood!
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Wild West Days!
Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9, 2026
As summer begins to wind down, join us at the Colorado Railroad Museum for Wild West Days, featuring special programming plus steam-powered train rides!
Celebrate Colorado’s unique heritage and ride behind one of the last coal-fired steam locomotives operating in Colorado! Enjoy western themed activities, reenactors, live blacksmithing and gold panning demonstrations, and more happening around the Museum’s 15-acre railyard. Plenty of photo opportunities will of course also be on hand—including the Museum’s very own mascot, Spike the Railroad Dog! Food and tasty treats will also be available for purchase.
Grounds open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with special programs and activities taking place both days between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Train Rides depart every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Remember, NEW this year, online pre-reserved tickets for this event include BOTH admission and a train ride! Order online in advance to SAVE! Online Tickets: $17 Adults, $7 Kids (ages 2-17), $15 Seniors (ages 60+) On-Site Tickets: $22 Adults, $12 Kids (ages 2-17), $20 Seniors (ages 60+). Free for Museum members (remember to pre-reserve!), and children under age 2. For tickets and more info, Click Here!
Advance purchase of tickets is recommended, especially if you have a specific Train Ride time in mind. Capacity is limited, so don’t delay!
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Colorado Rails & Cocktails
Next Friday, August 7, 2026
Enjoy an evening of Colorado history! Our August topic is Mines, Mills, and Railroads of Gilpin County. Join museum volunteer and historian Mark Baldwin as he explores the history of Gilpin County and how its mining towns were shaped, influenced, and supported by the railroads. Through stories, images, and historical insights, he will reveal how railroads shaped the region and played a crucial role in the development of the mining industry and local communities.
Admission: $20 Adults. Ages 21+ only. Admission includes two beverages of your choice (beer, wine, or soda) and snacks. Presentation begins promptly at 7:00 p.m., doors open at 6:00 p.m. Come early and check out the Museum’s “Traqueros: Mexican Trackworkers and the American Railroad” beforehand, if you haven’t yet had the chance! The exhibit will remain on display through late August before being removed to make way for a new installation.
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Day Out With Thomas™ Returns to Golden!
Tickets NOW ON SALE
All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favorite #1 blue engine, is coming back to town and bringing all his favorite musical instruments! Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour will be stopping at the Colorado Railroad Museum on the weekends of September 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27, 2026.
Day Out With Thomas™ offers families and friends the chance to celebrate with one of The Biggest Friends of All, Thomas the Tank Engine! Every ticket includes an interactive train ride pulled by a life-sized Thomas. You’ll also enjoy live entertainment, stage shows, lawn games, music-inspired activities in the Music Corner, and plenty of photo opportunities!
Tickets for this Day Out With Thomas™ event are NOW ON SALE! Ticket prices are $27 for ages 1 and up (service charges and fees may apply). Capacity is limited, and advanced ticket purchase is required. Walk-up sales will NOT be available. This event has completely SOLD OUT well in advance since 2020, so don’t delay! For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org.
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Thursday-Sunday Train Rides
Continuing Through August 9, with Activities!
From mid-May through mid-August, Train Rides at the Colorado Railroad Museum aren’t just on Saturdays anymore! Join us Thursday-Sunday through August 9, and enjoy not only a train ride but other activities! Due to popular demand, for the remainder of this summer, Friday operations will feature Galloping Goose No. 7, providing guests with even more opportunities to climb aboard this rare and unique railcar. Trains depart every half-hour (Goose rides every 20 minutes) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a lunch break for the crew at 12:30 p.m. (no departure at that time). Hurry, because our expanded summer operating season ends in just two weeks!
In addition to Train Rides, enjoy Thrilling Thursday activities each Thursday through August 6th, with pop-up exhibits, re-enactors, and a variety of activities ongoing from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Every Friday, enjoy two separate Friday Tours with a different focus each week—Click Here to reserve your tour tickets in advance. And every Saturday and Sunday, enjoy Touring the Rails activities! Try your hand at pushing the Museum’s “Armstrong”-powered turntable, for instance, or climb into the cab of a diesel-electric locomotive to experience a simulation of how it operates, or perhaps learn about the time-honored communication system of telegraphy and how it became a big part of railroading beginning in the mid-19th century.
Advance ticket purchase is recommended, especially if you have a preferred time to ride; on busy days, the most popular departure times often sell out. Members, don’t forget that you can also book your tickets in advance, at no charge, for regular train rides! Train Tickets (in addition to admission) are $5 adults, $2 ages 2-17 and seniors. Remember, Museum Membership provides free admission and regular train rides year-round! Not a member? Visit ColoradoRailroadMuseum.org/membership to learn more, or call us at (303) 279-4591 during business hours. Click Here to Visit our Live Calendar and choose which days you’d like to visit. All Aboard!
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Goose No. 7 Heads West for Labor Day!To Make Guest Appearance in
Carson City, Nevada
The Nevada State Railroad Museum (NSRM) in Carson City, Nevada, is hosting a unique railroad motorcar-themed event over Labor Day Weekend 2026. This “Motor Car Rally” will feature several iconic, historic “motors,” including the Colorado Railroad Museum’s own three-foot-gauge Rio Grande Southern “Galloping Goose” No. 7! Also participating are NSRM’s Virginia & Truckee “wind splitter” McKeen motorcar No. 22 (standard gauge) and narrow-gauge Death Valley Railroad Brill motorcar No. 5, hailing from the Laws Railroad Museum and Historic Site in Eastern California’s Owens Valley.
Celebrating the 100th “birthday” of NSRM’s Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend (TC&GB) Edwards-built motorcar No. 401, the Rally will feature motor car rides, tours, food trucks and more over the three-day Labor Day Weekend. The Colorado Railroad Museum is delighted to participate, providing Goose No. 7 with a unique opportunity to travel offsite during 2026, as Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary and America its 250th. For more information about the Carson City event, visit CarsonRailroadMuseum.org/Motor-Car-Rally/.
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Sunday Goose Rides Return in Golden
Climb aboard for a ride on a Galloping Goose!
For six Sundays only in late summer and fall— August 16, 23 and 30 as well as October 4, 11 and 25— the Museum will be offering Sunday Goose Rides! Catch a ride on the Rio Grande Southern’s iconic self-propelled “motor” and experience the unique charm of the Galloping Goose during these special Sunday departures. This limited opportunity is perfect for families and rail fans alike. Don’t miss your chance to ride aboard this unique piece of rail heritage, CLICK HERE to reserve your tickets today!
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Become a Museum Volunteer
Saturday, August 15 - Volunteer Fair!
Have you ever wanted to help in your community and work with a diverse, interesting group of people? Do you enjoy sharing Colorado’s rich railroad history with visitors from all over the world? The Colorado Railroad Museum is currently recruiting adults (18 or older) interested in volunteering to help share the Centennial State’s fascinating heritage of railroading and its impact on Colorado.
Volunteers are especially needed to support two of the Museum’s most popular late summer and fall events, Day Out With Thomas™ and THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. These family-focused experiences draw thousands of visitors each year and rely on a dedicated team to bring the magic to life. Volunteers play a vital role in these signature events, from helping with train rides, activities, and photo opportunities at Day Out With Thomas™ to serving hot chocolate and welcoming guests during THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride.
Whether you prefer being hands-on or working behind the scenes, there’s a place for every passion and skill level! Beyond events, volunteers support exhibits, lead interpretive stations, run simulators and demonstrations, and inspire young minds during school tours and educational programs. If you’re looking for a fun and meaningful way to get involved, consider attending the Volunteer Fair on Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Museum in Golden. Admission is free!
Each year, more than 300 volunteers support Museum programs including special events, educational tours, hands-on demonstrations, restoration, track construction, and clerical work. No prior railroad experience is required since orientation and on-the-job training are provided. Volunteers may take on additional responsibilities as they become more familiar with the programs.
Volunteers should be outgoing individuals who enjoy working with the public, especially children and families, and who will adhere to volunteer safety standards and codes of conduct. Flexible hours and rewarding experiences are part of this opportunity.
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Conversations West: A Special CRP&A Conference
Saturday, August 22
Join us at the Colorado Railroad Museum on Saturday, August 22, for Conversations West 2026, a special one-day conference hosted by the Center for Railroad Photography & Art (CRP&A) in partnership with the Museum.
This event, organized by CRP&A as part of its ongoing outreach, features an outstanding lineup of railroad photography presenters, including Bill Botkin, Mel Patrick, Joe McMillan, Steve Patterson, John Crisanti, and Bryan Bechtold. Registration is now open!
Conference registration is $95 with an optional dinner available as well. Click here to register and secure your spot today!
Each year, the Museum hosts an exhibition of the winning photographs from the Center’s John E. Gruber Creative Photography Awards program. In 2023-2024, the Center’s exhibition on railroad photographers Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg was a popular part of the Museum’s lineup as well.
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Looking Ahead: October-December 2026
Harvest Haunt Express and THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride Return!
The Colorado Railroad Museum’s annual Halloween-themed steam-up event will be coming back to “haunt the rails” in 2026! Enjoy the Olde Railroaders Silly Graveyard, "not-so-spooky" Haunted Railcars, a hay bale maze, and more. An authentic, coal burning Colorado steam locomotive will pull trains for the Harvest Haunt Express on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18.
Saturday Train Rides continue throughout August, then resume again in October (regular admission and train rides are NOT available weekends in September during Day Out With Thomas™). The final Saturday of regular 2026 train rides is scheduled for October 24. After that date, Saturday train rides will not resume until mid-January 2027.
The Colorado Railroad Museum’s theatrical production of THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride will return to Golden, Colorado in November and December. Tickets will go on sale to the public in late September (as always, an advance purchase opportunity will be extended to Museum members one week before the public on-sale date). More updates coming soon — stay tuned!
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The Latest Online Content
Entertaining and Educational Programs Available 24/7!
Check out the latest episodes of all our popular, ongoing series, including the newest Storytime & Craft episode. Or, if you’re craving some delicious food, you won’t want to miss our most recent Dining on the Rails post, which highlights the Ski Train and classic breakfast. Click Here to search the latest video offerings on our website.
There’s Lots More Content to Like, Share and Follow! Whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, the Colorado Railroad Museum posts interesting tidbits, stories, and videos throughout each week Come along as we visit a Colorado “Railroad Attraction of the Month” throughout the year (for July, this was the Museum’s event commemorating 150 years of Colorado’s statehood), highlight items in the Museum’s collection (for July, this was the oldest narrow gauge passenger car in the U.S., Denver & Rio Grande business car No. B-8) and see what’s going on with programs and exhibits, in the Museum Roundhouse, and more. Plus, follow along for the new monthly feature “Railroad Personality of the Month” (for July, this was Museum co-founders Bob Richardson and Cornelius Hauck). Click Here to see a collected feed of all our Social Media channels and posts, and “find your follow!”
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