West Virginia Railroad Museum in Elkins, West Virginia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Elkins, West Virginia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Railroad museumHours are not posted online; call ahead

The West Virginia Railroad Museum interprets the state's railroad and coal history from the second floor of the historic Darden Mill on Railroad Avenue in downtown Elkins.

  • Opened in 2014
  • Inside the historic Darden Mill
  • Western Maryland railcar restoration
  • Rail and coal history exhibits

West Virginia Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours
Not posted online; call (304) 637-4810
Admission
Not posted online; call ahead
Plan for
About 1 hour
Best for
Rail and coal history fans riding a train from Elkins
Best ages
School-age kids and up
Accessibility
On the second floor of the Darden Mill; call ahead about access

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to West Virginia 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 Elkins.

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.

A railroad museum upstairs in an Elkins mill

The West Virginia Railroad Museum opened in 2014 at 2 Railroad Avenue in downtown Elkins. It occupies the second floor of the historic Darden Mill, in the same part of town where the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad is based, which makes it an easy stop on an Elkins rail weekend.

Inside, the museum interprets West Virginia's railroads and its coal industry, two stories that are hard to separate in this state, using artifacts, photographs and oral histories. Beyond its exhibits, it supports preservation and restoration of historic railcars and locomotives, including the Western Maryland Cadillac Railcar No. 6. The museum does not post hours or admission online, so a quick phone call is the best way to plan your visit.

Artifacts, photographs and voices from the rails

Expect a compact, indoor museum focused on stories rather than a yard full of equipment: artifacts from railroading and coal mining, historic photographs, and recorded oral histories from people who lived that history. Plan on about an hour, and climb to the second floor of the Darden Mill to find it.

Don’t miss

  1. Oral historiesRecorded memories from people tied to West Virginia's railroads and coal industry bring the photographs and artifacts to life.
  2. Western Maryland Cadillac Railcar No. 6The museum supports the preservation of this historic railcar, part of its wider work on railcar and locomotive restoration.
  3. The Darden MillThe museum's home is itself a historic building in downtown Elkins, and the exhibits are on its second floor.

A short indoor stop before the train

This is a quiet, indoor museum built around photographs, artifacts and recorded stories, so it suits school-age kids with an interest in trains or history more than toddlers. It works well as a short stop on a day built around trains in Elkins. The museum is on the second floor, so ask about access when you call if you are bringing a stroller or need an elevator.

Plan your visit: tips for West Virginia Railroad Museum

  • Call (304) 637-4810 to confirm hours before you go.
  • Pair your visit with a train trip from Elkins.
  • Allow about an hour for the exhibits.

Keeping West Virginia's rail story in Elkins

Along with its exhibits, the West Virginia Railroad Museum supports the preservation and restoration of historic railcars and locomotives. The museum does not list membership, volunteer or donation details online, so call (304) 637-4810 to ask how you can help.

Trains and museums around Elkins

The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad is based in Elkins too, and its Mountain Rail Adventures excursions also reach Cass and Durbin. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about 37 miles south. For more, see West Virginia's train museums.

Every train museum in West Virginia

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.

This museum is up on the second floor of an old mill, and I can already hear my kids racing ahead on the steps. Rally would be the one at the bottom, looking up. In our book his short legs cannot climb the tall train stairs on his own, so Dad scoops him up and gives him a boost. I wrote it for my mom, who first imagined Rally's ride. Her story is 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
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 West Virginia 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.

West Virginia Railroad Museum: 20 visitor questions

Where is the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

The West Virginia Railroad Museum is at 2 Railroad Avenue in downtown Elkins, West Virginia 26241. It is on the second floor of the historic Darden Mill. If you have trouble finding the entrance, call (304) 637-4810.

What are the West Virginia Railroad Museum hours?

The West Virginia Railroad Museum does not post its hours online. Call (304) 637-4810 before you go to confirm when it is open, especially if you are planning it around a train ride the same day. Hours at small museums can change with the season, so a quick call saves a wasted trip.

How much are West Virginia Railroad Museum tickets?

The museum does not list admission prices online. Call (304) 637-4810 to ask about current admission before your visit. If you are coming with a tour group or school class, ask about group arrangements and any discounts at the same time, since the museum does not post them.

What is in the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

The museum interprets West Virginia's railroad and coal industries through artifacts, photographs and oral histories. It is a compact indoor museum focused on stories and objects rather than a large outdoor equipment yard. Expect to spend about an hour looking at the exhibits and listening to recorded memories.

When did the West Virginia Railroad Museum open?

The West Virginia Railroad Museum opened in 2014. It makes its home in the historic Darden Mill in downtown Elkins, at 2 Railroad Avenue. Alongside its exhibits, it supports preservation work on historic railcars and locomotives. Call (304) 637-4810 to ask what is new on display.

Is the West Virginia Railroad Museum in the Darden Mill?

Yes. The museum is on the second floor of the historic Darden Mill at 2 Railroad Avenue in Elkins. The mill is in downtown Elkins, so the museum is easy to reach if you are already in town for a train ride. Look for the stairs or ask about access on arrival.

Is the West Virginia Railroad Museum the same as the Princeton or Huntington railroad museums?

No. The West Virginia Railroad Museum is in Elkins, in the north-central part of the state. Princeton and Huntington are separate cities in southern and western West Virginia, and any railroad museums there are different organizations. Double check the town before you set your GPS.

Can you ride a train at the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

The museum itself does not run train rides. The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, which runs scenic excursions, is also based in Elkins, so you can pair a museum stop with a train trip. Book the train separately with the railroad and check its schedule first.

How long should I spend at the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

Plan on about an hour. It is a compact indoor museum, so an hour is enough to look at the artifacts and photographs and listen to some of the oral histories. If you are also riding a train in Elkins that day, schedule the museum before or after your trip.

Is the West Virginia Railroad Museum good for kids?

It suits school-age kids who like trains or history best. The museum is indoors and built around photographs, artifacts and oral histories rather than climb-on equipment, so very young children may lose interest quickly. Pair it with a train ride in Elkins to round out the day.

Is the West Virginia Railroad Museum accessible?

The museum is on the second floor of the Darden Mill, and it does not post accessibility details online. If you use a wheelchair or are bringing a stroller, call (304) 637-4810 before your visit to ask about elevator access and the best entrance.

Does the West Virginia Railroad Museum restore trains?

Yes, in a supporting role. Beyond its exhibits, the museum supports preservation and restoration projects for historic railcars and locomotives. One of them is the Western Maryland Cadillac Railcar No. 6. Ask staff about current restoration work when you visit.

What is the Western Maryland Cadillac Railcar No. 6?

The Western Maryland Cadillac Railcar No. 6 is a historic railcar that the West Virginia Railroad Museum supports through its preservation and restoration work. The museum does not post details about the car's history or display online, so ask when you call or visit if you want to see it.

Does the West Virginia Railroad Museum cover coal history?

Yes. Coal and railroads grew up together in West Virginia, and the museum interprets both industries side by side through artifacts, photographs and oral histories. It is a good stop for anyone interested in how the mines and the rail lines shaped the state's towns.

Does the West Virginia Railroad Museum offer group tours?

The museum does not post group tour details online. Call (304) 637-4810 to ask about a guided visit for a school class, club or tour group. Groups visiting Elkins often build a day around a train ride, so mention your schedule when you call.

Is there parking at the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

The museum does not post parking details online. It is at 2 Railroad Avenue in downtown Elkins, so look for street or lot parking nearby. Call (304) 637-4810 if you need advice on the closest spot, especially on busy train days.

Does the West Virginia Railroad Museum have a gift shop?

The museum does not mention a gift shop online. Call (304) 637-4810 to ask. Small museums sometimes sell books or souvenirs at the front desk, so it is worth asking when you visit, and any purchase helps the museum.

How can I support the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

The museum does not post membership, donation or volunteer information online. Call (304) 637-4810 to ask how to help, whether by giving to restoration work like the Western Maryland Cadillac Railcar No. 6 or by volunteering your time in Elkins.

Are West Virginia Railroad Museum reviews and photos available online?

Yes. The museum has a Tripadvisor listing where visitors share reviews and photos of the exhibits in the Darden Mill. Reading a few recent reviews is a good way to see what the galleries look like, but call the museum directly for current hours and admission.

What train attractions are near the West Virginia Railroad Museum?

The Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad and its Mountain Rail Adventures excursions are based in Elkins too. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is about 37 miles away, and the Green Bank and Durbin railway exhibits are about 34 miles.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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