United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey in Boonton, New Jersey
Rail preservation groupBoonton Yard opens to the public on special event days
The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey preserves, restores and operates more than 60 historic locomotives and railroad cars, the core of the state's historic rail collection, from its restoration base at Boonton Yard.
- 60+ historic locomotives and cars
- 8,000-square-foot restoration shop
- 80+ volunteers
- Railroad Museum for a Day open house
- Pennsylvania GG1 electric locomotives
United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey at a glance
- Hours
- Open on scheduled event days only; tours of Boonton Yard by inquiry
- Admission
- Varies by event; check the society's events page
- Train rides
- Hudson River Rail Excursions between New York City and Albany on scheduled dates; no rides at Boonton Yard are listed
- Seasonal events
- Railroad Museum for a Day, Morris County Pathways of History, Hudson River Rail Excursions
- Plan for
- About 2 hours on an open house day
- Best for
- Rail fans and families on open house days
- Best ages
- All ages on open house days
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address104 Morris Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(973) 798-5736
- Websiteurhs.org(opens in a new tab)
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Look inside the book
Taking the kids to United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey? 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 Boonton.
Rally Takes the Train
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Speaking with one voice for New Jersey's old trains
In the 1980s NJ Transit set out to retire much of its historic equipment, some of it dating back to the 1910s. Several New Jersey railroad organizations saw what could be lost and joined together as the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, so that preservationists could speak with one voice and save the cars and locomotives for the public. The pieces they rescued became the core of New Jersey's collection of historic railroad equipment.
The society calls New Jersey the birthplace of the railroad industry, and its mission is to teach that history through the equipment itself. It does this in three ways: restoring and displaying stationary exhibits at its yard in Boonton, running Hudson River Rail Excursions out of New York City, and bringing historic equipment out for special events wherever it can. Its long-term goal is a permanent, full-time railroad museum in New Jersey.
URHS is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit run mostly by volunteers, community members and rail fans whose day jobs range from creative work to mechanics to law. An executive director provides full-time management, and specialist contractors help keep the operable equipment ready for the public. Kevin Phalon serves as president and executive director, with William Phillips as chairman.
What waits in Boonton Yard
Boonton Yard, leased to the society by NJ Transit, is where the collection lives. It holds more than 60 historic cars and locomotives, plus pieces on loan from partner organizations, along with the society's office and an 8,000-square-foot restoration shop used by more than 80 volunteers. Because it is a working restoration and storage yard, it opens to the public only on scheduled event days.
The locomotive roster runs from electric to diesel to small industrial switchers: Pennsylvania GG1s, Erie Lackawanna 3372, New York Central 4083 and 4076, NJ Transit ALP-44 No. 4424, Erie 436, NJDOT 4253, B&O 412, Pennsylvania 5788 and 7000, Amtrak 958, Reading 492 and 284, Central Railroad of New Jersey GP7s, and PSE&G 100-ton and 45-ton switchers. Featured projects include New Jersey's Merci Train boxcar and the New York Central car Swift Stream.
Don’t miss
- Pennsylvania GG1 electric locomotivesThe society lists GG1s at the top of its locomotive roster, a highlight for anyone who loves the electric era of the Northeast Corridor.
- Erie Lackawanna No. 3372One of the society's featured restoration projects, worked on in the Boonton shop.
- NJ Transit ALP-44 No. 4424A featured project that connects the collection to the electric locomotives New Jersey commuters rode behind.
- New Jersey's Merci Train boxcarA featured project in the collection and a different kind of railroad artifact from the locomotives around it.
- Hickory Creek and Tavern-Lounge No. 43These New York Central cars carry the society's Hudson River Rail Excursions, recreating mid-century rail travel between New York City and Albany.
One big open house a year for young train fans
The best day for families is Railroad Museum for a Day, a once-a-year event when the Boonton restoration facility becomes, in the society's words, New Jersey's largest railroad museum. It is billed as family-friendly and a rare chance to see the collection up close. The yard also opens for Morris County's Pathways of History weekend in early October.
On other days the yard is a working shop and not set up for drop-in visits, so plan a trip around an announced event. Older kids and teens who love trains may enjoy the society's photo events and, later, its volunteer program.
Plan your visit: tips for United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey
- Do not drop by unannounced; Boonton Yard is a working restoration and storage facility.
- Railroad Museum for a Day happens once a year, usually in late summer or September.
- Use the contact form on urhs.org or the society's Facebook page to ask about yard tours.
- Hudson River Rail Excursions have sold out in past years, so book early when dates are posted.
Eighty volunteers and a full-time director
URHS is a predominantly volunteer nonprofit with more than 80 volunteers, a full-time executive director and a board led by Kevin Phalon and William Phillips. Its website has Get Involved and Donate pages, and gifts help fund restoration in the Boonton shop and the society's long hope of a permanent New Jersey railroad museum.
Pair Boonton with these nearby rail stops
The Whippany Railway Museum is only about 5 miles away and runs its own trains in spring and fall. The Paterson Museum locomotive exhibits are about 12 miles east, and the Maywood Station Museum is about 18 miles. There are more ideas on our page of New Jersey train museums.
- Whippany Railway MuseumWhippany, NJ · about 5 mi
- Paterson Museum locomotive exhibitsPaterson, NJ · about 12 mi
- Liberty Historic RailwayJersey City area, NJ · about 17 mi
- New Jersey Transit historic railway collectionsstatewide, NJ · about 17 mi
- Maywood Station MuseumMaywood, NJ · about 18 mi
- New York Transit MuseumBrooklyn, NY · about 26 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The society's lounge cars ride along the Hudson River, and I can picture travelers pressed to the glass, watching the water slide by. That is my favorite page in our book: Rally at the arched window, looking out at the ocean and saying hello to a white bird. My mom loved that view on the Pacific Surfliner. Different coast, same happy nose on the window. If your kids want to color that moment, our coloring pages have it.
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
- Train museums in New Jersey: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in New Jersey
- Halloween train rides in New Jersey
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey?
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
- United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey official website(opens in a new tab)
- United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey 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.
United Railroad Historical Society of NJ: 20 common questions
What is the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey?
The United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, or URHS, is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit that preserves, restores and operates historic railroad cars and locomotives. It cares for more than 60 pieces of equipment at Boonton Yard and shares them through restoration, education, public events and excursions.
Where is the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey located?
URHS is based at Boonton Yard, 104 Morris Avenue, Boonton, New Jersey 07005. The yard is leased to the society by NJ Transit and holds its collection, office and restoration shop. It is in Morris County, a few miles from Whippany.
Can I visit Boonton Yard any day?
No. Boonton Yard is the society's restoration and storage facility and opens to the public only periodically, on scheduled event days. To ask about a tour of the yard outside of events, send a message through the contact form on urhs.org or through the society's Facebook page.
What is Railroad Museum for a Day?
Railroad Museum for a Day is the society's once-a-year open house, when the Boonton restoration facility becomes what URHS calls New Jersey's largest railroad museum. It is a family-friendly chance to explore the collection. In 2026 it was held on Sunday, September 27, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Does URHS take part in the Morris County Pathways of History?
Yes. URHS opens Boonton Yard during Morris County's Pathways of History, when 24 small history organizations across 17 towns open their doors. In 2026 the yard was open Saturday, October 3, from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, October 4, from 11 am to 4 pm.
How much does it cost to visit the United Railroad Historical Society?
The society does not post a standing admission price, because the yard opens only for events. Pricing, if any, is set event by event. Check the events page at urhs.org before Railroad Museum for a Day or another open house to see ticket details.
How many locomotives and cars does URHS have?
URHS has more than 60 historic locomotives and railroad cars, along with items on loan from partner organizations. The society describes this as the largest and most historic railroad collection in New Jersey. Some pieces date to equipment NJ Transit retired in the 1980s.
Which locomotives are in the URHS collection?
The roster includes Pennsylvania GG1s, Erie Lackawanna 3372, New York Central 4083 and 4076, NJ Transit 4424, Erie 436, NJDOT 4253, B&O 412, Pennsylvania 5788 and 7000, Amtrak 958, Reading 492 and 284, Central Railroad of New Jersey GP7s, and PSE&G 100-ton and 45-ton switchers.
Does URHS have a Pennsylvania GG1?
Yes. The society lists Pennsylvania GG1s on its locomotive roster. These electric locomotives are among the best-known pieces in the Boonton Yard collection, so open house days are the time to see them in person. Follow the society's Facebook page for restoration updates.
What are the Hudson River Rail Excursions?
Hudson River Rail Excursions are the society's main public program, running between New York City and Albany along the Hudson River in the New York Central cars Hickory Creek and Tavern-Lounge No. 43. The trips aim to recreate mid-20th-century rail travel as faithfully as possible, with riding and dining aboard.
Where do Hudson River Rail Excursions depart from?
Past Hudson River Rail Excursions have departed from New York Penn Station, running roughly 10 am to 7 pm. Trips in 2023 sold out. New dates are announced on the URHS events page and Facebook page, so check there and book quickly when tickets go on sale.
When was the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey founded?
URHS formed in the 1980s, when NJ Transit planned to retire much of its historic equipment, some dating to the 1910s. Several New Jersey railroad groups joined together so preservationists could speak with one voice and save those artifacts, which became the core of the state's historic collection.
Is there a URHS train museum planned in New Jersey?
Yes, as a long-term goal. The society's vision is to build a permanent museum in New Jersey where it can restore, display and operate its equipment full time. Until then, the collection is shown at Boonton Yard on event days and through excursions and special appearances.
Is the United Railroad Historical Society good for kids?
On open house days, yes. Railroad Museum for a Day is described as a family-friendly event, and it is the easiest way for children to see big locomotives up close. On other days the yard is a working facility, so it is not set up for casual family visits.
Who runs the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey?
URHS is mostly volunteer, with more than 80 volunteers from all walks of life and a full-time executive director. Kevin Phalon is president and executive director, William Phillips is chairman, Richard J. King is treasurer and Alan Scherl is secretary. Specialist contractors help keep equipment running.
How can I volunteer with URHS?
The society has a Get Involved section on urhs.org and welcomes community members and rail enthusiasts. Volunteers work in the 8,000-square-foot Boonton restoration shop and at events. Send a message through the website's contact form or the society's Facebook page to ask about openings.
How can I donate to the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey?
You can donate through the Donate page on urhs.org. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, URHS uses support for restoration projects such as Erie Lackawanna 3372 and NJ Transit 4424, care of its 60-plus pieces, and its goal of a permanent New Jersey railroad museum.
What is the phone number for the United Railroad Historical Society?
The society's listed phone number is (973) 798-5736. Because Boonton Yard is staffed mainly by volunteers, the most reliable way to reach URHS is often the contact form on urhs.org or a message to its Facebook page, especially when asking about tours or upcoming events.
Does URHS hold photo events at Boonton Yard?
It has. In September 2025 the society hosted a Boonton Yard Night Photo Shoot from 7 pm to 10 pm, giving photographers a chance to shoot the collection after dark. Watch the events page and Facebook page for future photo nights.
What train museums are near the United Railroad Historical Society?
The Whippany Railway Museum is about 5 miles away, the Paterson Museum locomotive exhibits about 12 miles, and the Maywood Station Museum about 18 miles. The Liberty Historic Railway in the Jersey City area is roughly 17 miles from Boonton.
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