Danbury Train Museum, Danbury CT

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Danbury Train Station
120 White Street
Danbury CT
203-778-8337
(located in the old Danbury train station, just down the street from the new station)

Hours:
September – May
Sunday, 12-4
Wed.-Sat.,10-4
June – July – August
Sunday, 12-5
Mon.-Sat., 10-5

CLOSED HOLIDAYS except MEMORIAL DAY and LABOR DAY
Open – Memorial Day and Labor Day Noon – 4pm.
Hours may vary for Special Events

Cheryl and I visited the Danbury Train Station on a bright sunny Saturday afternoon. Not favorable lighting for photo’s but you’ve got to take what you get.

Located in downtown Danbury the museum occupies the original train station. Inside you’ll find a small theater where you can watch the history of trains. There are a number of train artifacts, small table top model trains, a gift shop and more.

You’ll be greeted by a energetic volunteer behind the counter who will ask you for $6.00 (adults), $5.00 (62+), and $4.00 (3-12). Members and those under 3 can visit for free. They’ll put a temporary wrist band on you and you can either opt for a tour or walk the grounds on your own. Cheryl and I chose to walk on our own. Frankly it’s the only way I can do it and get the pictures I want.

The museum offers a train ride.  If you opt out you will miss out on the train yard “turn table”.  Back in the day this is how yards jockeyed their engines and cars to different tracks.  I don’t believe they are very common today.  That is the one thing I missed by not taking the ride so if you want to experience the turntable then get on the ride!

When you walk out the back door, through the small gate, and onto the tracks be aware that the first few sets of tracks are actually in use today by AMTRAK. So, stay safe, and look for oncoming trains. Fortunately we were warned by the volunteer who was nice enough to walk out to the back yard.

Once past the tracks in use you’ll go through another gate where you’ll enter what is a kin to a graveyard for trains. They have quite an assortment, most of which are in a deteriorating state. I know that they are trying to refurbish some of the trains. I did not see any remodeled trains except for a caboose that they were in the throes of working on at the time so I didn’t go in.

As this is an all volunteer staff, (many were senior citizens), it must be difficult to keep up with all the needs. There we volunteers staffing the gift shop, manning the front desk, refurbishing cars and walking the yard to offer detailed specifics about these iron work horses.  All presented a smile and are happy to see you!

Bottom line…….kids will love it and people who love trains will enjoy it. If you’re not into trains then just maybe, after visiting, you’ll grow to appreciate them. All in all it’s a nice museum and I’m always happy that there are folks trying to keep our history alive. Once gone it can never be replaced. Take a visit and have some fun!

Photo’s taken with both Nikon D7100, 17-55mm lens and Sony Nex 7, 10-20mm wide angle lens.