Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City, California
Railroad museumTrain ridesFreeOpen five days a week, closed Wednesdays, Thursdays and holidays
The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum keeps the story of the little 3-foot gauge line that served Nevada and Placer Counties from 1876 to 1942, with its own Engine 5, a working restoration shop and free docent-led tours.
- Free admission, donations welcome
- 1875 Baldwin Engine 5
- Working restoration shop tours
- Saturday Railbus rides
- Opened in Nevada City in 2003
- Run by Nevada County Historical Society
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Sat and Sun 10 am to 4 pm; Mon, Tue and Fri 10 am to 2 pm; closed Wed, Thu and holidays
- Admission
- Free; donations appreciated
- Train rides
- Railbus rides on Saturdays, weather permitting; call (530) 470-0902 to reserve
- Plan for
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Best for
- Families, rail fans and gold country road-trippers
- Best ages
- Ages 3 and up
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address5 Kidder Court, Nevada City, CA 95959(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(530) 470-0902
- Emailinfo@nevadacountyhistory.org
- Websitenevadacountyhistory.org/ncng-railroad-museum(opens in a new tab)
Follow Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Nevada City.
Rally Takes the Train
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Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Bringing the narrow gauge home to Nevada City
For 66 years, from 1876 until 1942, the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad ran on 3-foot track through Nevada and Placer Counties, carrying the lumber, freight and passengers of gold country. The museum at 5 Kidder Court exists to gather that story back together: its artifacts, photographs, documents and, wherever possible, the equipment itself.
The museum is a part of the Nevada County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that began in the fall of 1944 with 48 members paying a dollar a year in dues. Over the decades the society opened the Firehouse No. 1 Museum, the North Star Mining Museum and the Searls Historical Library, and in May 2003 it opened the railroad museum in Nevada City. The building itself belongs to the City of Nevada City, which calls it the city's transportation museum, and the society runs the museum, workshop and rail yard there.
The collection reaches past the railroad. Nevada County was an early adopter of new ways to move, with an electric streetcar line, a steam-powered automobile and what the society describes as the first commercial airport in the United States, and the museum's exhibits cover that wider transportation story too. Some listings use the longer name Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad & Transportation Museum for exactly that reason.
None of it happens without volunteers. The Friends of NCNGRR support the museum's work of preserving the railroad's history and restoring vintage narrow gauge equipment, and the restoration shop is usually busy with members repairing rolling stock. Their Railbus has carried more than 10,000 passengers; volunteers marked the milestone by presenting a young rider with a railroad hat and a certificate.
Engine 5, the rail yard and the shop floor
Visits start with a docent-led tour that takes in the main gallery, the rail yard and the restoration shop. The star of the gallery is Engine 5, an 1875 Baldwin locomotive with a life story most engines never get: it hauled lumber first, then passengers and freight for the Nevada County Narrow Gauge, and later worked as a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hollywood before coming home to Nevada County.
Outside, the rail yard holds a collection of wooden cars. Some have been restored, and others are waiting their turn, which gives you a real sense of how much work goes into each one. The restoration shop is open for tours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm, and there is a good chance you will find volunteers in the middle of a project. Exhibits also include an early steam automobile along with railroad and aviation artifacts, photographs and documents, and the gift shop stocks railroad-themed items on weekends.
Don’t miss
- Engine 5An 1875 Baldwin that hauled lumber, then passengers and freight on the Nevada County Narrow Gauge, then appeared in films at Universal Studios before returning to the county it served.
- The restoration shopA working shop where volunteers maintain and restore rolling stock; it is open for tours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- The wooden car collectionThe rail yard mixes restored cars with cars still waiting for attention, so you can compare the before and after side by side.
- The RailbusA short excursion vehicle that runs on Saturdays, weather permitting, and has carried more than 10,000 riders.
- The early steam automobileA reminder that Nevada County was trying out new transportation ideas at the turn of the 20th century, not only railroads.
A railbus ride and a real working shop
The Railbus is the highlight for most kids: a short ride on Saturdays, weather permitting, with reservations taken at (530) 470-0902. Search listings for the museum describe the excursions as about 30 minutes long and running from April through October. Children who like tools and big machines usually enjoy the restoration shop, where they can see real volunteers at work on real rail cars.
Because admission is free, it is an easy stop to fit around a nap or a picnic, and you can keep the visit short with toddlers or stay for the full docent tour with older kids. School and group tours can be booked on Mondays or Tuesdays.
Plan your visit: tips for Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
- Come on a Saturday if you want the full experience: Railbus rides, shop tours and the gift shop all line up that day.
- Call (530) 470-0902 ahead to reserve Railbus seats.
- The gift shop is open only on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Book school and group tours for a Monday or Tuesday.
- The museum is closed on holidays as well as Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The historical society and the Friends of NCNGRR
The Nevada County Historical Society operates the museum in a city-owned building, with John Christensen listed as director, and the Friends of NCNGRR support its preservation and restoration work. Because admission is free, donations make a real difference. You can join the Friends, become a society member to receive the museum's Headlamp newsletter, or shop in the gift shop on weekends.
More railroad stops near Nevada City
The Colfax Railroad Museum is only about 11 miles away and makes an easy pairing. Head up into the Sierra about 45 miles to the Truckee Railroad Museum, or down toward Sacramento about 40 miles to the Folsom Valley Railway. For the full list, see train museums across California.
- Colfax Railroad MuseumColfax, CA · about 11 mi
- Southern Pacific Railroad History CenterRocklin, CA · about 34 mi
- Folsom Valley RailwayFolsom, CA · about 40 mi
- Folsom Railroad Museum / Folsom History MuseumFolsom, CA · about 40 mi
- Placerville & Sacramento Valley RailroadFolsom / Placerville area, CA · about 41 mi
- Truckee Railroad MuseumTruckee, CA · about 45 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
In our book, Rally packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball before he rides the train with Mom and Dad. I think about that every time I read about Engine 5, which traveled all the way to Hollywood and came back home to Nevada County. Some trips are about the people waiting at the end. You can print a page for your little packer from our coloring pages.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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Work or volunteer at Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Sources
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum on YouTube(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum: 20 questions answered
Where is the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
The museum is at 5 Kidder Court, Nevada City, California 95959, in a transportation museum building owned by the City of Nevada City. It is operated by the Nevada County Historical Society. If you need directions on the day, call the museum at (530) 470-0902.
What are the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays and holidays. Check the historical society's website before a long drive in case hours change.
How much does the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum cost?
Admission is free, as of October 2026, and the historical society says tours at its museums are free too. Donations are always appreciated and help the volunteers keep restoring the railroad's wooden cars and equipment, so consider leaving something in the box or buying from the gift shop.
Can you ride the Railbus at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
Yes. The Railbus operates on Saturdays, weather permitting, and the museum asks you to call (530) 470-0902 for reservations. Search listings describe the excursions as about 30 minutes long, running from April 1 to October 31. Confirm the current schedule by phone before you plan your day around a ride.
What is Engine 5 at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
Engine 5 is an 1875 Baldwin locomotive shown in the main gallery. It started out hauling lumber, then carried passengers and freight for the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad, and later became a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hollywood. It is now back in Nevada County as the museum's centerpiece.
What was the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad?
It was a 3-foot narrow gauge railroad that operated in Nevada and Placer Counties from 1876 until 1942. The line carried lumber, freight and passengers through gold country. The museum collects artifacts, photographs and documents from that railroad and restores surviving equipment from the narrow gauge era.
When did the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum open?
The Nevada County Historical Society says the railroad museum opened in Nevada City in May 2003. The society itself is much older, having started in the fall of 1944. Some other sources give an earlier founding date, so ask the museum if you are researching its exact history.
What is the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad & Transportation Museum?
It is another name for the same museum at 5 Kidder Court. The longer name reflects that exhibits go beyond the railroad to Nevada County's other early transportation, including an electric streetcar line, a steam-powered automobile and aviation history. The Nevada County Historical Society operates it under both names.
Can you tour the restoration shop at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
Yes. The restoration shop is open for tours on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. It is usually a busy place, with volunteers maintaining rolling stock and working on restoration projects, so you may see a wooden car mid-repair. The docent-led tour includes the museum, rail yard and shop.
What upcoming events does the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum have?
The museum does not post a list of its own annual events online. Its parent group, the Nevada County Historical Society, holds free Speaker Night programs on the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm and sends event emails you can sign up for. For railroad events, call (530) 470-0902 or follow the society's Facebook page.
What are the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum reviews like?
This page does not collect visitor reviews, but the society describes the museum as one of the finest in the Sierra Nevada. Visitors get a free docent-led tour, a historic Baldwin locomotive, a working restoration shop and Saturday Railbus rides. For current visitor opinions, check review sites or the museum's Facebook comments.
Where can I see photos of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
The museum's page on the Nevada County Historical Society website includes a photo gallery, and the society shares pictures on its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts. Engine 5, the rail yard's wooden cars and volunteers at work in the restoration shop are the subjects you will see most often.
Is the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum good for kids?
Yes, especially on a Saturday. Kids can ride the Railbus with a reservation, watch volunteers working in the restoration shop and see a full-size steam locomotive up close. Free admission makes it easy to keep the visit short for little ones or stay longer with older children who want the whole tour.
Does the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum offer school or group tours?
Yes. School and group tours are available by appointment on Mondays or Tuesdays. Call (530) 470-0902 to set a date and talk through group size and what you would like to see. Tours cover the museum, the rail yard and the restoration shop, and admission is free.
Does the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum have a gift shop?
Yes. The gift shop sells many railroad-related items. As of October 2026 it is open on Saturdays and Sundays during museum hours and closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Purchases support the museum, which charges no admission and relies on donations and volunteer help.
How long should I spend at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
Plan on about one to two hours. That leaves time for the docent-led tour of the gallery, rail yard and shop, plus a Railbus ride if you visit on a Saturday. On weekdays the museum closes at 2 pm, so arrive in the morning if you want a relaxed visit.
How do I volunteer at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
The best starting point is the Friends of NCNGRR, the group that supports the museum's preservation and restoration work. Volunteers maintain rolling stock in the shop and help with tours and the Railbus. Call (530) 470-0902 or email info@nevadacountyhistory.org to ask about current openings.
How can I support the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
You can donate during your visit, join the Friends of NCNGRR, or become a member of the Nevada County Historical Society. Members receive the quarterly Historical Bulletin, the society newsletter and the railroad museum's Headlamp newsletter. Shopping in the gift shop also helps support the museum.
Who runs the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
The Nevada County Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1944, operates the museum, workshop and rail yard. The building is owned by the City of Nevada City. John Christensen is listed as the museum's director, and the society also runs the Firehouse No. 1 Museum, North Star Mining Museum and Searls Historical Library.
What train museums are near the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum?
The Colfax Railroad Museum is about 11 miles away. The Folsom Valley Railway, the Folsom Railroad Museum and the Placerville & Sacramento Valley Railroad are each around 40 miles away, and the Truckee Railroad Museum and Truckee Donner Railroad Society are about 45 miles up in the Sierra.
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