Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum, New Jersey
Railroad museumTrain ridesOpen houses on select spring and summer weekends
Founded in 1990, the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians preserve the railroad story of Phillipsburg and Warren County, opening their museum, research library and the Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad on select open house weekends.
- Founded April 1, 1990
- Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad
- Research library and gift shop
- Open house weekends in spring and summer
Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Select spring and summer weekends; check the museum's website or Facebook page
- Admission
- Not posted online; check before you go
- Train rides
- Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad rides during open houses
- Best for
- Families and local history fans on open house days
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
Follow Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Phillipsburg Railroad Historians 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 Phillipsburg.
Rally Takes the Train
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A railfan's idea for a Phillipsburg museum
The Phillipsburg Railroad Historians were incorporated in New Jersey on April 1, 1990 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with the goal of creating a museum to tell the rich local railroad history of Phillipsburg and Warren County. The founders started gathering items for the collection right away.
The group's founding president, J. Peter Terp, was a lifelong railfan, a member of other preservation groups and a well-known local shop owner at Viking Auto Parts. Today volunteers display railroad memorabilia and artifacts, restore equipment and operate the historic Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad, giving rides as part of the site tour. Because the museum opens only on select dates, check its website or Facebook page before planning a visit.
Open house days
On open house weekends, visitors can see railroad memorabilia and artifacts, equipment on display and under restoration, the research library and the gift shop. Rides on the Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad are part of the site tour. The museum does not post a full exhibit list online, so the group's Facebook page is the best place to see current photos.
Don’t miss
- Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroadThe historic miniature line the group operates, with rides given as part of the site tour.
- The research libraryOpen during open houses for anyone digging into Phillipsburg area railroad history.
A miniature train ride on tour days
The miniature train rides are the big draw for children, and they are included as part of the site tour on open house days. The museum does not list age guidelines or accessibility details online, so message the group on Facebook with questions before you go.
Plan your visit: tips for Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum
- Confirm open house dates on Facebook before driving over.
- Pair a visit with a Delaware River Railroad Excursions trip in the same town.
A volunteer nonprofit since 1990
The Phillipsburg Railroad Historians are a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Visiting on open house days, shopping in the gift shop and following the group on Facebook all help, and the group can tell you how to become a member or volunteer.
More rail fun in and around Phillipsburg
Delaware River Railroad Excursions runs trains from right here in Phillipsburg. The Black River & Western Railroad is about 24 miles away, and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway about 31 miles. Find more on our New Jersey train museum page.
- Delaware River Railroad ExcursionsPhillipsburg, NJ · same town
- Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical SocietyPennsylvania collections, PA · about 20 mi
- Black River & Western RailroadFlemington / Ringoes, NJ · about 24 mi
- New Hope RailroadNew Hope, PA · about 26 mi
- Lehigh Gorge Scenic RailwayJim Thorpe, PA · about 31 mi
- Colebrookdale RailroadBoyertown, PA · about 34 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Miniature trains are just the right size for little riders, no big steps required. In our book, Rally's short corgi legs cannot manage the tall stairs onto the train, so Dad gives him a boost. My kids think that part is hilarious, maybe because they know the feeling. A train built at their own height must feel like a gift. Read about how Rally's story began on our story page.
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 Phillipsburg Railroad Historians 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
- Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum on Facebook(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.
Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum: 20 questions
What is the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum?
It is a local railroad history museum run by the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians, a volunteer nonprofit in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. The museum displays railroad memorabilia and artifacts, equipment on display and under restoration, a research library and a gift shop, and the group runs miniature train rides during open houses.
When is the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum open?
The museum opens on select spring and summer weekends rather than on a regular weekly schedule. Dates and times are posted on the group's website, prrh.org, and its Facebook page. Check one of those before you go, since the museum is closed outside open house days.
Where is the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum?
The museum is in Phillipsburg, Warren County, New Jersey. It does not post a full street address in a form that is easy to find online, so check prrh.org or message the group on its Facebook page for directions before an open house.
How much does the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum cost?
The museum does not list admission prices online. Since it opens only for open houses on select weekends, ask about any admission or miniature train ride fees when you confirm the date on the group's Facebook page or website, prrh.org. Bringing a little cash for the gift shop is a sensible idea.
Does the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum have train rides?
Yes. The group operates the historical Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad, and miniature train rides are given as part of the site tour on open house days. Check the Facebook page for ride details and dates.
What is the Centerville & Southwestern miniature railroad?
The Centerville & Southwestern is a historical miniature railroad that the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians now operate. Rides on it are offered as part of the museum's site tour during open houses, which makes it a favorite with young visitors.
Where can I see Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum photos?
The group's Facebook page, which has thousands of followers, is the best place to see photos of the museum, the miniature railroad and restoration work. It is also where the group posts news about upcoming open house dates.
When were the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians founded?
The Phillipsburg Railroad Historians were incorporated in New Jersey on April 1, 1990 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Their mission is to preserve local railroad history and to establish a museum telling the railroad story of Warren County and the Phillipsburg area.
Who founded the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians?
The group's founding president was J. Peter Terp, a lifelong railfan who belonged to other preservation groups and was well known locally as the owner of Viking Auto Parts. The founders began collecting items for the museum as soon as the group formed.
What is in the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians collection?
The collection includes railroad memorabilia and artifacts tied to Phillipsburg and Warren County, plus railroad equipment on display and under restoration. The museum does not post a full inventory online, so visit an open house or check Facebook to see what is out.
Does the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum have a library?
Yes. The museum has a research library on local railroad history that is open during open houses. If you are researching a specific line or family connection, ask on the group's Facebook page whether a volunteer can help on the day you visit.
Is there a gift shop at the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum?
Yes. A gift shop is open during open houses, along with the museum and research library. The group does not list its stock online, but purchases help the volunteer nonprofit pay for equipment restoration and upkeep of the collection, so it is a good way to support local rail history.
Is the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum good for kids?
On open house days the miniature train rides make it a fun stop for children, and the displays suit families with an interest in trains. The museum does not post age guidance online, so ask on Facebook if you have questions about very young children.
Is the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum does not post accessibility information online. Message the group on its Facebook page before you go to ask about access to the museum building, the grounds and the miniature train, and whether volunteers can help with any particular needs on an open house day.
Is there parking at the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum?
The museum does not list parking details online. Ask about parking when you confirm open house dates on Facebook, especially if you are visiting on a busy weekend when other Phillipsburg rail events may be running.
Can I volunteer with the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians?
The group is run by volunteers who restore equipment, run the miniature railroad and staff open houses. It does not post a volunteer page that is easy to find online, so message the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians on Facebook to ask about membership and volunteering.
How can I contact the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians?
The easiest way is the group's Facebook page, where it is active and posts news and open house dates. Its website is prrh.org. The museum does not list a public phone number or email online, so a Facebook message is usually the quickest route to a volunteer.
Can I book a group visit to the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum?
The museum does not advertise group or school visits online. Because it is volunteer run and opens only on select dates, message the group on Facebook to ask whether a private visit or a group stop during an open house can be arranged for your class, scout troop or club.
Is the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum the same as Delaware River Railroad Excursions?
No. Both are in Phillipsburg, but Delaware River Railroad Excursions is run by the New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society, while the museum belongs to the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians. They make a good pair for a train-themed day in town.
What train attractions are near the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians Museum?
Delaware River Railroad Excursions runs trains from Phillipsburg itself. The Black River & Western Railroad is about 24 miles away, the New Hope Railroad about 26 miles and the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe about 31 miles.
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