Train Mountain Railroad Museum in Chiloquin, Oregon

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Chiloquin, Oregon · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Railroad museumTrain ridesFreeFree; rail tours mid-May to mid-October, walking tour weekdays in winter

Train Mountain is a 2,200-acre forest railroad near Chiloquin, listed by Guinness as the world's longest rideable miniature hobby railway, with a free museum of more than 50 full-size rail cars and equipment.

  • Guinness record miniature railway
  • Over 32 miles of 7.5-inch track
  • 50+ full-size rail cars
  • Admission free, by donation
  • 2,200 acres of forest
  • Triennial draws 1,000+ people

Train Mountain Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours
Summer (mid-May to mid-October): Visitor's Center and walking tour 9:30 am to 3 pm daily, closed July 4; rail tours about 10 am to 2:30 pm Sunday to Friday. Winter: walking tour 10 am to 2 pm weekdays, weather permitting
Admission
Free; the museum runs by donation
Train rides
Free 1/8 scale rail tours of about 30 minutes, mid-May to mid-October, no Saturday trains in summer
Seasonal events
Train Mountain Triennial, Polar Bear Meet, Spring Awakening Meet, Narrow Gauge Meet, Operations Meet, Hot August Nights Meet, Big Build, Fall Colors Meet
Plan for
About 1 to 2 hours
Best for
Families heading to Crater Lake and model railroad fans
Best ages
Ages 3 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Train Mountain 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 Chiloquin.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

From a backyard line to a world record

Train Mountain began with Ed St. John, who started building a railroad in his backyard and found that hobbyists from Medford, over the hill, would gladly come help if he supplied the materials. His line was called the Over-The-Hill Live Steamers, and it survives today as the Klamath and Western loop. Quintin Breen, a lifelong train lover, heard about it and began buying neighboring land with the dream of an even bigger railroad. In 1992 the two connected their lines, and Breen later bought St. John's property.

By 2000 the railroad was big enough to host a meet of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers, and nearly 100 trains showed up. Breen wanted to do it again but realized it needed a year to recover, a year to plan and a year to run. That rhythm became the Train Mountain Triennial, which now draws more than 1,000 people, some bringing trains from Germany and Australia.

Before Breen died in 2009, supporters created Friends of Train Mountain to help build infrastructure and carry the place forward. In 2013 his assets passed to a 501(c)(3), now Train Mountain Institute, which owns the land and is dedicated to railroad education and history. A member organization, Train Mountain Railroad, supplies the volunteer labor that keeps more than 32 miles of track in shape.

Ride the little trains, then walk among the big ones

The entrance is easy to spot: a red Santa Fe caboose and a green Burlington Northern caboose flank the driveway off South Chiloquin Road. The Visitor's Center, a two-story wooden building, is 1,000 feet in from the gate, and that is where you check in and pick up a printed map.

From mid-May to mid-October, volunteer crews take visitors on educational rail tours aboard 1/8 scale trains that wind through the ponderosa forest; tours usually last about half an hour and run on demand rather than a timetable. On foot, the self-guided walking tour passes the museum's collection of more than 50 full-size rail cars, cabooses, snow removal machines and maintenance-of-way equipment. The museum focuses on the Southern Pacific, the Great Northern and their successors, along with Klamath County logging railroads and the Oregon, California and Eastern.

Don’t miss

  1. The rail tourA free, half-hour ride on a 1/8 scale train through the forest, led by volunteer crews from mid-May to mid-October.
  2. The gateway caboosesA red Santa Fe caboose and a green Burlington Northern caboose mark the main entrance.
  3. Snow removal equipmentFull-size machines that kept mountain railroads open in winter, part of the walking tour collection.
  4. The Klamath and Western loopEd St. John's original railroad, still running next door and open to riders on summer Saturdays.
  5. Hope CircleA spot in the park where members' trains caravan at meets to watch the sunset and the stars.

Sit tight and ride through the pines

Riding a tiny train through a real forest is a big thrill for kids, and the rail tour is free. Crews ask riders to stay seated, keep hands and feet inside, avoid rocking the cars and let the crew retrieve anything that drops, so very young children need an adult beside them. Tours last about 30 minutes, which suits short attention spans.

Plan around the days. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day the Train Mountain trains do not run on Saturdays; instead, families can ride the Klamath and Western Railroad next door, entering 100 feet east of the main driveway. In winter, only the walking tour is open.

Plan your visit: tips for Train Mountain Railroad Museum

  • Check in at the Visitor's Center first and grab a printed walking map.
  • On summer Saturdays, ride the Klamath and Western next door instead.
  • Large groups should call ahead for rail tours.
  • Rail tours do not run in winter.
  • From Hwy 97, turn west on South Chiloquin Road near milepost 249.

Members who build, fix and run the railroad

Train Mountain Institute, a 501(c)(3), owns and runs the park for education. Friends of Train Mountain leases access rights and supports paid staff, and Train Mountain Railroad, a member group, provides volunteer labor through seven meet weeks a year. Visitors help by donating, since admission and rides are free, and hobbyists can join as members.

More rail stops in Southern Oregon

The closest rail sites on this site are in Medford, about 53 miles away: the Medford Railroad Park and the Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society. On the coast, the Coos Bay Rail Link exhibits are about 130 miles off. See every Oregon train museum.

Every train museum in Oregon

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

These little trains sit low to the ground, which might be the first train Rally could hop onto all by himself. In our book the big Amtrak steps are too much for his short corgi legs, and Dad gives him a boost. I love that Train Mountain's volunteers crew every ride, ready to help riders settle in. My mom would have grinned at a railroad sized just right for small travelers. Our coloring pages have Rally on those stairs.

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
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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

Work or volunteer at Train Mountain 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

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Train Mountain: 20 questions visitors ask

Where is the Train Mountain Railroad Museum?

Train Mountain is at 36941 South Chiloquin Road in Chiloquin, Oregon, about 25 miles north of Klamath Falls. From Highway 97, turn west on South Chiloquin Road near milepost 249, across from a Dollar General; the entrance is on the left in about 0.85 miles, between a red and a green caboose.

How do I get to Train Mountain from Crater Lake?

From Crater Lake, take Highway 62 south. Half a mile past milepost 102, turn left (east) onto South Chiloquin Road, and the main entrance is on the right in about 1.15 miles. The Visitor's Center is 1,000 feet straight in from the gate, in a two-story wooden building.

Is Train Mountain free?

Yes. As of October 2026, admission is free and the museum operates strictly by donation. The rail tours are free too, though donations are welcome and help keep the railroad running. Leave a donation at the Visitor's Center or office when you check in.

What are Train Mountain's hours?

In summer, mid-May to mid-October, the Visitor's Center and walking tour are open 9:30 am to 3 pm every day except July 4, with rail tours roughly 10 am to 2:30 pm Sunday through Friday. In winter, the walking tour is open 10 am to 2 pm on weekdays, weather permitting, as of October 2026.

Can you ride the trains at Train Mountain?

Yes, from mid-May to mid-October. Volunteer crews lead free educational rail tours on 1/8 scale trains that usually last about half an hour. There is no timetable; trains go out based on visitor demand. Large groups should call (541) 783-3030 ahead to make sure there is room.

Do Train Mountain trains run on Saturdays?

Not in summer. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Train Mountain does not run rail tours on Saturdays, to avoid conflicting with the Klamath and Western Railroad next door. On those Saturdays, visitors are encouraged to ride the Klamath and Western, using the entrance 100 feet east of Train Mountain's main driveway.

Is Train Mountain open in winter?

Partly. In winter the Visitor's Center is closed, but guests can check in at the office and take the self-guided walking tour from 10 am to 2 pm on weekdays, weather permitting. Rail tours do not run in winter. Call (541) 783-3030 before driving up in snowy weather.

How long is the track at Train Mountain?

Train Mountain says it has more than 32 miles of 7.5-inch gauge track, and some listings say over 35 miles. Either way, Guinness World Records lists it as the world's longest rideable miniature hobby railway. The track winds through a 2,200-acre forested property in Southern Oregon.

What is in the Train Mountain museum collection?

The museum has more than 50 full-size rail cars, maintenance-of-way equipment and other pieces, including cabooses and snow removal equipment. It concentrates on the Southern Pacific and Great Northern railroads and their successors, plus Klamath County logging railroads and the former Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad.

Is there a walking tour at Train Mountain?

Yes. The self-guided walking tour covers the full-size museum pieces and grounds. Check in at the Visitor's Center first, where printed maps are available. The walking tour is open in summer from 9:30 am to 3 pm and in winter on weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

What are the rules on a Train Mountain rail tour?

Stay seated while the train moves, do not rock the cars or shift your weight suddenly, and do not lean out for photos. Keep hands and feet to yourself, and if you drop something, tell the crew and they will stop the train. Follow crew instructions if anything unusual happens, including a derailment.

Is Train Mountain good for kids?

Yes. Riding a miniature train through the pines is a favorite with children, the tours are free and last about 30 minutes, and the full-size cabooses and equipment give kids plenty to look at. Little ones need to stay seated and close to an adult on the small cars.

Who started Train Mountain?

Ed St. John began with a backyard railroad called the Over-The-Hill Live Steamers, now the Klamath and Western loop. Quintin Breen bought neighboring land to build a bigger line, and in 1992 the two connected their railroads. Breen later bought St. John's property and grew Train Mountain until his death in 2009.

Who owns Train Mountain today?

Train Mountain Institute, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to railroad education and history, owns the 2,200-acre property. Breen's assets were transferred to it in 2013. Friends of Train Mountain leases scenic and access rights and supports paid staff, and Train Mountain Railroad, a member group, provides volunteer labor.

What is the Train Mountain Triennial?

The Triennial is a huge meet held every three years. It grew out of a 2000 meet of the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers that drew nearly 100 trains. Recent Triennials have attracted more than 1,000 people, some bringing their trains from Germany and Australia. Check trainmountain.org for the next date.

What meets does Train Mountain hold each year?

The 2026 schedule listed seven meets: Polar Bear in January, Spring Awakening in late April, Narrow Gauge in late May, Operations in late June, Hot August Nights, Big Build in September and Fall Colors in October. Meets are mainly for members, with work days early in the week and run days Friday to Sunday.

Can I bring my own live steam train to Train Mountain?

Members can run their own equipment, especially during meet weeks. Steam locomotives may only be fired with propane, never other fuels, because of forest fire risk. The Narrow Gauge Meet in late May is timed before fire danger peaks. See trainmountain.org for membership and meet registration.

Is there a Train Mountain phone number?

Yes. Train Mountain lists (541) 783-3030, with other numbers including (541) 783-2471 and (541) 783-3857. You can also email info@tmrr.org. Call ahead if you are bringing a large group, planning around a meet week, or visiting in winter weather when hours depend on conditions.

What do Train Mountain reviews say?

Visitor reviews are on Tripadvisor and travel sites, which describe Train Mountain as the world's largest model railroad and highlight the walking tour of full-scale equipment in a private forest. Photos are posted on the museum's Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.

What other rail museums are near Train Mountain?

The nearest on this site are in Medford, about 53 miles away: the Medford Railroad Park and the Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society. The Coos Bay Rail Link historical exhibits are about 130 miles away. The Klamath and Western Railroad is right next door.

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Kelsey Cecil
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