Arizona Railway Museum

Explore the railroads of Arizona and the Southwestern United States with a visit to this outdoor museum featuring an extensive collection of...

Arizona Railway Museum

Founded in 1983, the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler, AZ, is a magical place with something for every age and family member. Among the many treasures featured at the museum are meticulously restored train cars from different periods of railroad history in the United States.

Thanks to the dedication of the organization's restoration team, the museum's train cars are among those featured in movies like 3:10 to Yuma, Stay Tuned, Terror Train, and There Will Be Blood.

What is the Arizona Railway Museum?

A nonprofit, educational, and historical organization, the Arizona Railway Museum is "dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest" and operated by volunteers. This paradise for rail enthusiasts works to acquire, renovate, and preserve rail cars, equipment, and other artifacts and keepsakes from former and current railway eras.

The museum's collection is impressive, with a primary focus on Arizona railroads and those of the Southwest.

If you are visiting with young kids in tow, consider extending your experience in the area and enjoy a picnic lunch at neighboring Tumbleweed Park filled with many tables and ramadas and a 2.5-acre playground, Playtopia.

What to Expect 

At the Arizona Railway Museum, visitors will delight in the extensive collection of rail cars in the rail yard, two of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One is the breathtaking Southern Pacific Railroad Locomotive No. SP 2562, built in 1906. The other is the Railroad Steam Wrecking Crane and Tool Car, originally assembled in 1949.

On self-guided tours, visitors can explore the yard and view the equipment up close. Each piece has a nearby placard providing historical information. Visitors can also walk through several passenger cars and a caboose to check out the interior. Please note that the railcars are not accessible by wheelchair due to preserving the original widths of doors and hallways and requires visitors to climb stairs to enter and exit.

Group tours are available on a limited basis for a small fee. Please contact the museum for details. Passenger cars and cabooses are available for birthday parties. Meeting spaces are also available.

The museum's main building is a striking re-creation of the original Chandler Depot. Guests can view genuine rail company glass and china, railroad artifacts, and explore the gift shop. With more than 42,000 railroad-associated artifacts cataloged in the museum's archives, this unbelievable collection is available by appointment only for academic research. 

On select days, volunteers at this Chandler train museum bring history to life by operating model trains. The models traverse through detailed layouts of towns, industrial areas, and train stations. 

Good to Know

Closed for Summer
Historically, the museum is closed in June, July, and August.

Location
330 E. Ryan Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286

The outdoor train yard ground is crushed rock, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and a hat.

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed 
  • Wednesday: Closed  
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The museum is closed for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday.

Admission Fees
Infant (Under 2 years): Free

Child (2-12 years): $10
Adult (12+ years): $15
Family (2 Adults, 3 Children): $40
Active Military: Free with ID (ARM is a Blue Star Museum)

The Arizona Railway Museum should be on the must-see list of any railroad lover, young or old. Even those without a passion for trains will appreciate visiting bygone eras and investigating all the fascinating artifacts and memorabilia. 

Visit the Arizona Railway Museum website to plan your visit today. While there, look into the membership options, which give you access to special events, member voting rights, and the museum’s quarterly newsletter. 

Please confirm operating hours, fees, and the most up-to-date information with the venue before your visit.

  • 330 E. Ryan Road
  • (480) 821-1108

The Arizona Railway Museum features restored train cars from different time periods in our country’s rail history. The main…