Ridgway Railroad Museum, Colorado
Railroad museumTrain ridesFreeOutdoor collection viewable every day; rides Fridays and Saturdays, May to October
The Ridgway Railroad Museum preserves the story of the Rio Grande Southern and railroading in Ouray County, with a free outdoor rail yard, a half-mile loop track and volunteer-restored equipment including Galloping Goose No. 4 and a re-created Motor No. 1.
- Free to visit, donations welcome
- Galloping Goose No. 4 rides
- Half-mile loop track
- Outdoor cars viewable daily
- Railroad Days each September
- Nonprofit, member supported
Ridgway Railroad Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Outdoor equipment viewable every day; equipment operates Fridays and Saturdays, May to October, 10 am to 2 pm (2026)
- Admission
- Free; donations welcome
- Train rides
- Rides on Motor No. 1 and Galloping Goose No. 4 on the half-mile loop, Fridays and Saturdays May to October (2026)
- Seasonal events
- Ouray County Railroad Days, Restoration Work Week, Weekly Tuesday work sessions
- Plan for
- About 1 hour, more on ride days
- Best for
- Rio Grande Southern fans and families on a Ridgway stop
- Best ages
- Ages 4 and up
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address200 N. Railroad St, Ridgway, CO 81432(opens in a new tab)
- Emailridgwayrailroadmuseum@gmail.com
- Websiteridgwayrailroadmuseum.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Ridgway Railroad Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Ridgway 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 Ridgway.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
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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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Saving the Rio Grande Southern's story in the town where it began
Ridgway has long been known as the birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, and the museum's own history starts with a rescue. In the 1950s, as the Rio Grande Southern was winding down, Bob Richardson (who also founded the Colorado Railroad Museum) found several boxes of railroad papers headed for the dump. He handed them to Ridgway resident Smiles C. Dunn and told him to keep them safe, because someday there would be a museum here honoring the railroad's role in southwestern Colorado.
Almost fifty years later, in 1998, the Ouray County Historical Society began exploring a branch for Ridgway's ranching and railroad history. Austin Baer, a Ridgway resident who came to those first meetings, helped steer the effort into an independent railroad museum and became its first board president. The museum's own history piece, by Bonnie Koch, credits restoration as the work that has defined it.
Karl Schaeffer led the way with a careful re-creation of Jack Odenbaugh's Motor No. 1, which visitors could ride by the summer of 2008. In 2006 D&RGW Caboose No. 0575 came over from the city park in Ouray and was restored with historical accuracy, and in May 2008 Galloping Goose No. 4 was trucked from Telluride for a multi-year rebuild back to its 1951 appearance. That same year the museum welcomed 7,084 visitors from 46 states and 15 countries. Today it has moved to its own rail yard and loop track at 200 N. Railroad Street.
The rail yard, the train shed and the loop
The museum's equipment sits outdoors at 200 N. Railroad Street, at the junction of US 550 and Colorado 62, and can be seen at any time, free of charge. The roster includes Galloping Goose No. 4, Motor No. 1, D&RGW Caboose 0575, Work Car 04914, Drop Bottom Gondola 702, Stock Car 5574, Box Car 3130, Business Car C, Coach 252, an inspection car and a pop car, with some cars opened up when volunteers are on site.
Business Car C, under the train shed, holds displays that are open while volunteers are working, and a separate display room sits in the Ouray County Ranch Museum inside the old depot just south of the yard. Ridgway's visitor bureau notes that this depot dates to 1890 and appeared in the 1961 film How the West Was Won. The museum also offers recorded audio descriptions of some display items under the title Stories We Tell.
Don’t miss
- Galloping Goose No. 4One of the Rio Grande Southern's famous Geese, brought from Telluride in 2008 and rebuilt to its 1951 appearance; it now carries riders on the loop.
- Motor No. 1Karl Schaeffer's re-creation of Jack Odenbaugh's motor car, the first piece of equipment the museum put back in service for rides.
- D&RGW Caboose 0575Moved from the Ouray city park in 2006 and restored with close attention to historical detail.
- Business Car CParked under the train shed, it doubles as an exhibit space when volunteers are on site.
- The half-mile loop trackThe museum's own track, where its motors and the Goose run on operating days.
- The historic Ridgway depotBuilt in 1890, it now houses the Ouray County Ranch Museum and one of the railroad museum's display rooms.
A free yard to wander and a Goose to ride
Because the equipment is outdoors and free to see any day, this is an easy stop for families passing through Ridgway, with plenty of room to walk around boxcars, a stock car, a caboose and the Goose. On operating days, a ride around the half-mile loop on Motor No. 1 or Goose No. 4 is the highlight for young passengers.
The museum says its collection is a resource for anyone from 6 to 96, and its volunteers have taught nearly 1,000 schoolchildren in Ouray, San Miguel and Montrose counties. The yard is outdoors in the mountains, so bring sun protection and layers.
Plan your visit: tips for Ridgway Railroad Museum
- Visit on a Friday or Saturday between May and October to catch the equipment running.
- Business Car C's displays are open when volunteers are working, so check the event calendar.
- Ouray County Railroad Days in late September brings an open house and weekend Goose rides.
- Donations and memberships can be paid through PayPal using the museum's email address.
Members, volunteers and the Tuesday work crew
The Ridgway Railroad Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), member-supported organization, and donations are tax deductible. Volunteers meet every Tuesday morning from May to October for work sessions with projects for all skill levels, and each June a Restoration Work Week invites anyone with woodworking, painting, computer or plain muscle skills (lunch provided). Members also give talks, write local newspaper columns and sort the archive of Rio Grande Southern records.
Narrow gauge country beyond Ridgway
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is about 61 miles south and a natural pairing with a Goose ride here. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama is about 108 miles, and the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad about 109 miles. See every train museum in Colorado to plan a longer loop.
- Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge RailroadDurango, CO · about 61 mi
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RailroadChama, NM · about 108 mi
- Leadville, Colorado & Southern RailroadLeadville, CO · about 109 mi
- Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RailroadAntonito, CO / Chama, NM, CO · about 121 mi
- Breckenridge High Line Railroad ParkBreckenridge, CO · about 130 mi
- Royal Gorge Route RailroadCañon City, CO · about 138 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
I love that the Ridgway museum gives rides on a Galloping Goose, half bus and half train, right on its own little loop. In our book, Rally's short corgi legs can't manage the big train steps, so Dad lifts him aboard. Small riders always need that boost, whether it's a corgi or a four-year-old. My kids are learning to read now, and simple stories like that one are why I put together a list of train books for toddlers.
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 Ridgway 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
- Ridgway Railroad Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Ridgway Railroad 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.
Ridgway Railroad Museum: 20 questions visitors ask
What is the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
The Ridgway Railroad Museum is a nonprofit, member-supported museum in Ridgway, Colorado, devoted to railroading in Ouray County and the San Juan Mountains, especially the Rio Grande Southern. It keeps an outdoor rail yard with restored equipment, a half-mile loop track for rides, indoor displays, a reference library and an archive of railroad records.
Where is the Ridgway Railroad Museum in Colorado?
The museum's rail yard is at 200 N. Railroad Street in Ridgway, near the junction of US Highway 550 and Colorado Highway 62. One of its display rooms is in the Ouray County Ranch Museum inside the old depot just south of the yard. Mail goes to PO Box 588, Ridgway, CO 81432.
Is the Ridgway Railroad Museum free?
Yes. There is no charge to visit the museum's outdoor collection, which can be seen at any time. The museum is run by a nonprofit and accepts donations, which are tax deductible. Donations and memberships can be paid through PayPal using the museum's email, ridgwayrailroadmuseum@gmail.com.
What are the Ridgway Railroad Museum hours?
The outdoor equipment is on view every day at all hours. As of October 2026, the museum says it operates its equipment on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm in spring, summer and fall, and displays in Business Car C are open while volunteers are working. Check the website's event calendar before you go.
Can you ride a train at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
Yes. The museum gives rides on Motor No. 1 and Galloping Goose No. 4 around its half-mile loop track. In 2026 the equipment ran on Fridays and Saturdays from May through October, and both run during Railroad Days in September. Rides depend on volunteers and weather, so confirm on the website or Facebook page first.
What is the Galloping Goose at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
Galloping Goose No. 4 is one of the Rio Grande Southern's distinctive motor cars. It was moved from Telluride to Ridgway in May 2008 and rebuilt over several years to look as it did in 1951. Today it carries visitors on the museum's loop track on operating days and during Railroad Days.
What is Motor No. 1 at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
Motor No. 1 is a careful re-creation of Jack Odenbaugh's original Rio Grande Southern motor, built by volunteer Karl Schaeffer. It became available for visitors to ride in the summer of 2008 and still runs on the museum's half-mile loop. The motor has also made an appearance on the Durango and Silverton line.
What can you see at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
The outdoor collection includes Galloping Goose No. 4, Motor No. 1, D&RGW Caboose 0575, Work Car 04914, Drop Bottom Gondola 702, Stock Car 5574, Box Car 3130, Business Car C, Coach 252, an inspection car and a pop car. Some cars are opened when volunteers are working, and there are indoor displays as well.
Where can I see Ridgway Railroad Museum photos?
The museum's website has a Historic Photos page, along with pages for each piece of equipment, and its Facebook page posts current pictures from work sessions and ride days. There is also a YouTube video of Motor No. 1 running on the half-mile loop, linked from the museum's homepage.
What do visitors say in Ridgway Railroad Museum reviews?
The museum does not publish reviews on its own site, but it has drawn a wide audience: in 2008 alone it served 7,084 visitors from 46 states and 15 foreign countries. For current impressions, look at its Facebook page and travel sites, and keep in mind that rides only run on scheduled operating days.
Who founded the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
The museum grew out of 1998 meetings of the Ouray County Historical Society, where Ridgway resident Austin Baer pushed for an independent railroad museum and became its first board president. Its roots go back to the 1950s, when Bob Richardson rescued Rio Grande Southern papers and gave them to Smiles C. Dunn for safekeeping.
Why is Ridgway called the birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern?
Ridgway has long been known as the birthplace of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad, the narrow gauge line that served southwestern Colorado, and the town grew up as a railroad town. The museum exists to tell that story through restored equipment, records of RGS employees and archival documents about the railroad's motors.
When is Ouray County Railroad Days in Ridgway?
Ouray County Railroad Days is held each September; in 2026 it ran September 26 and 27. The weekend includes a museum open house and rides on Motor No. 1 and Goose No. 4 on both days, plus an evening talk on Saturday. Check the museum's Railroad Days page for next year's dates.
Is the Ridgway Railroad Museum good for kids?
Yes. Kids can walk the outdoor yard any day for free and get close to boxcars, a caboose and the Goose, and on operating days they can ride the loop. The museum describes its collection as a resource for visitors from 6 to 96, and its volunteers regularly teach local elementary school classes.
Is there an indoor exhibit at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
Yes, two small ones. A display room sits in the Ouray County Ranch Museum, inside the old depot just south of the rail yard, and is open whenever the Ranch Museum is open. More displays are inside Business Car C under the train shed, open while volunteers are working at the site.
Can I volunteer at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
Yes. Weekly work sessions run every Tuesday from 9 am to noon, May through October, with projects for all ability levels. Each June the museum also holds a Restoration Work Week (June 1 to 5 in 2026), with lunch provided. Email ridgwayrailroadmuseum@gmail.com or use the museum's website to get involved.
How do I become a member of the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
The museum's website has a Membership page with an application, and dues can be paid through PayPal using the museum's email address. Members come from across the United States and England and include historians, Rio Grande Southern fans and model railroaders, and they receive the museum's newsletter.
Does the Ridgway Railroad Museum have railroad records for research?
Yes. The museum keeps a reference library and archival material, including documents on all of the Rio Grande Southern motors and on W. D. Lee and V. A. Miller. Members have spent hundreds of hours sorting boxes of records, and the list of known RGS employees keeps growing. Email ridgwayrailroadmuseum@gmail.com with research questions.
How long should I spend at the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
About an hour is enough to walk the yard, see the equipment and visit the depot display room. On a Friday or Saturday ride day, or during Railroad Days, allow extra time for a trip around the loop and a chat with volunteers. The museum is small, so it fits easily into a day in Ridgway.
What train rides are near the Ridgway Railroad Museum?
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is about 61 miles away, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama, New Mexico about 108 miles, and the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad about 109 miles. Together they make a strong narrow gauge road trip through southwestern Colorado.
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