Virtual Tour

See what the fuss is about

Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

Opened in 2003

Happiest Museum in Nevada County

The Railyard

Our Gift Shop has lots of Unique Items

The Railroad was started by the Coleman Brothers in 1874

The Colemans hired John Kidder to supervise construction of the Railroad

After two years of construction, John stayed on as Superintendent of the Railroad

John eventually bought out the Colemans and was president until he passed away in 1901

The Kidders were very successful people

Entrance to the Museum Gallery

Route Map

We have a lot of old photos like this one of the Chicago Park Depot

We constructed a 3/4 scale model of the depot based on the previous picture

Nevada City

Colfax

The route had a lot of challenges

This trestle replaced the wooden one

The line also had a lot of tunnels

There were a number of accidents

Trolley service between Grass Valley and Nevada City was provided

Map of one of the proposed routes

The Real Route Map

Let’s go to the Railyard and see some restoration projects

Stockcar #5672 Restoration – In process

Tank Car restoration is complete

Stub Switch

Point Switch

Restoration of 1930s Blockcar has been completed

Tool Car restoration complete

Trucks

Recently Completed Westside Caboose – Built in 1940

Passenger Car #56 restoration

Passenger Car Damage

On Wednesday (11/28) thru Sunday (12/2) three big rain storms hit Nevada County. The strongest storm hit early Sunday and caused an eighty foot section of a pine tree to impact the museum property. The 115 year old passenger car was severely damaged and the railyard was impassible. The restoration team quickly began cleanup and the railyard is now open. Based on the damage to the passenger car, the Museum is assessing whether restoration of the passenger car is still possible.

Passenger #52 Restoration in Process

Passengecar #52 was obtained from the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Extensive woodworking activities are in progress to replace the floor and bolster up the sides of the Passengercar. This restoration project will take several years.

National Railway Grant complete

New National Railway Grant for SP NG Boxcar Completed

Restoration Complete on 8 Ton Switcher Engine

Circa 19 th Century Handcar

Velosiped

Follow-on to the Handcar

1943 Speeder Acquired

Follow- on to the Handcar/Velosiped

New Acquisition – Westside Lumber Company Speeder #6

New Acquisition – Westside Lumber Company Snow Plow #2

The Shop

Shop Activities

Inside the Shop – The Railbus

Railbus (built in 1960s) has completed restoration

Turntable Constructed – A Very Successful Kickstarter Funding Campaign

Railbus rides initiated in June 2016

Railbus Operations Celebrates 10,000th Rider

Moriah S., a seventh grader at CORE Placer Charter School in Colfax, was one of twenty passengers to take a Railbus ride while on a field trip to the Museum on Sept. 28, 2018. Much to Moriah’s surprise, she was honored for being the Railbus’ 10,000th passenger. Accompanied by her sister and her mother, she was presented with a railroad hat and certificate commemorating her new celebrity. Volunteers at the Museum say they are very pleased with this milestone; given the short, three year, history of Railbus operations.