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Danbury Railway Museum, Danbury

4.2
#2 of 8 in Things to do in Danbury
Specialty Museum · Hidden Gem · Museum
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The Danbury Railway Museum (reporting mark DRMX) is a railway museum housed in the former Union Station on the east end of downtown Danbury, Connecticut, United States. It was established in the mid-1990s following the closure of the station by the Metro-North Railroad in favor of a new station nearby, and primarily focuses on the history of railroading in southern New England and neighboring New York. In addition to the former station building, the museum has a collection of heritage railcars in the neighboring rail yard it shares with Metro-North.

The station was built in 1903 by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in response to local pressure for a new station after the three railroads that served the city were merged into the New Haven. At the station's peak, 125 trains stopped there in a day. By 1993, that had dwindled to a few commuter trains, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation, which by then owned the neglected building, closed it in favor of a newer station on the other side of the block. Within two years the museum was formed and restored the station to its former appearance.

It is architecturally distinctive, with Colonial Revival touches on a Richardsonian Romanesque structure. Alfred Hitchcock filmed station scenes for Strangers on a Train on its distinctive curved platform. In 1986, prior to the museum's use of the building, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was joined on the Register in 2005 by the former turntable, the only intact one in the state.
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Danbury Railway Museum reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
152 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • They offer lots of information and interesting displays. There is something for kids and adults but those who will most enjoy this are those who like to read the informative signs. The two cars... 
    They offer lots of information and interesting displays. There is something for kids and adults but those who will most enjoy this are those who like to read the informative signs. The two cars...  more »
  • Not only is it a good historical museum, but also provides an actual train ride on a restored steam powered unit. Conductors act very much in character and the entire staff is friendly. Highly... 
    Not only is it a good historical museum, but also provides an actual train ride on a restored steam powered unit. Conductors act very much in character and the entire staff is friendly. Highly...  more »
Google
  • This was the cutest place ever. The tickets were very inexpensive and we got 2 free pumpkins, yummy apple cider, apple cider cookies or pumpkin spice. The staff was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. I think I loved that they all just loved trains like little kids. My son is obsessed with trains and loved every moment of it. Their gift shop is not very big but has some great items all prices range. Definitely would go back.
  • I love their vintage trains. They take you on a tour and answer all your questions. Everyone is a volunteer there and so nice. They worked so hard to make everything look historically accurate and it really does

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