Transportation, History, Railroad -- Whippany Railway Museum

The closest to the New York Metropolitan area, and one of the finest Railroad Museums around, the Whippany Railway Museum brings railroading history to life for everyone to enjoy. Preservation efforts trace back to 1965, when several employees and volunteers of the Morris County Central began displaying a small collection of railroad memorabilia in the Morristown and Erie Freight House.

The Whippany River Railroad dates back to 1895 when it was constructed in under four months to complete a four-mile connection to the Lackawana in Morristown. Nearly a decade later the Whippany & Passaic River Railroad was established to create a seven-mile extension connecting with the Roseland Railway, a branch of the Erie in Essex Fells. Subsequently the Whippany River and Whippany & Passaic companies were consolidated to form the eleven-mile long Morristown & Erie Railroad Company, which operates freight lines to this day.

The Museum, in the beautifully restored Freight House, displays fascinating railroad artifacts and memorabilia such as tickets, lanterns, photos, bells, whistles, headlights, and other items, including a foot-powered rail car and nostalgic old signs.

Another display pays special tribute to the great Ocean Liners, a form a transportation closely tied to railroading. Current as of this writing is Lusitania, The Final Farewell, an exhibition with photos, video, and Cunard artifacts that combine to tell this tragic and controversial story. Exhibits change annually to reflect a new theme important to the history of railroading.

A special treat is the Museum's Lionel Train layout, one of the largest in New Jersey. It features the Whippanong Valley Railroad with operating accessories that can be interactively controlled.

Outside visitors can stroll through the Whippany railroad yard where many pieces of full-size, historical railroad equipment and rolling stock are displayed. A re-creation of a small suburban retail coal yard, complete with conveyor machinery and classic coal advertising sings recalls an era when "King Coal" heated our homes, powered our industries, and fueled the mighty steam locomotives.

The Museum is constantly expanding, with several restoration projects underway at any one time, bringing visitors back again and again to see what's new. Families and Groups alike will enjoy the visit, as well as a number of special activities and events throughout the year. These feature special excursion rides that are sure to be lots of fun.

Hours: April thru October, Sundays 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Also open during Museum Special Train Events from 11:30am - 5pm, with the trains operating generally on the hour between 1 and 5pm. Call to confirm.
Admission:
Adults	$1.00	Children under 12	$0.50
Groups: Same.
Group Reservations: At least 1 week in advance.
Lunch: Picnic area available. Whippany Diner nearby.
Handicapped Access: Not accessible.
Directions: I-80 West to I-287 South to Rt. 10 east. Turn left into Whippany Rd. Jughandle just before Exxon station on left. About 30 minutes from the George Washington Bridge.