Smithsonian Affiliate
Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania offers special events throughout the year, appealing to all interests and all ages. Museum members receive free admission to many events. Check the website, social media or join the email list to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings.
Discover the amazing and diverse heritage of the industry that built our nation and continues strong today. We’ll showcase Pennsylvania’s many remarkable historical and contemporary railroads with presentations, operating model train layouts, art and photography, interpretive tours and more.
Museum Day Live! is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country offer free admission for two people when a Museum Day Live! ticket is presented.
Museum members enjoy special members-only presentations and other great railroad-related activities. Also held is the annual business meeting of the membership. A not-to-be-missed evening banquet honoring volunteers, members and other special friends caps off a full day. Advance registration is required. Learn more.
Enjoy this self-guided tour of various private homes, featuring unique garden railways with operating model train layouts. Tickets on sale now. Learn more.
Picture this! A fun and relaxing evening at the Museum, where you’ll be inspired to paint a colorful picture, with assistance from a skilled and friendly instructor from the Zolē Art Factory. Enjoy your favorite beverage, BYO, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Light snacks provided. Limited to the first 20 participants. Online registration begins September 3. The cost is $37.00 per person, and you must be age 21 or over to participate. Learn more and register.
Trains & Troops is the Museum’s annual tribute to the U. S. Armed Forces, American railroads and all those who served, and are serving, overseas and on the home front. Experience many railroad and military archival displays, patriotic music and learn the role railroads played in defense of our nation. Learn more.
Jump, jive and swing to the sounds of the Moonlighters live band among the historic trains in the Museum’s Rolling Stock Hall. Come dressed in 1940s clothing or military uniform, if you like, to revive the past. Tickets on sale now. Learn more.
Take a nostalgic glimpse at 100 years of holiday rail travel. Meet costumed railroaders and enjoy seasonal music and festive decorations among our world-class collection of trains. Learn more.
A costumed conductor will welcome your child on board one of our historic coaches for a special reading of a holiday classic story. Kids also will create a take-home craft in Jack Frost Station, send a personal telegram to the North Pole and visit Santa in Steinman Station. Registration begins October 22 through November 23. Learn more.
You’re right on track for amazing stories from very special guests throughout the day. Kids even get their very own cardboard suitcase and use it to travel from story to story!
To celebrate the granting of the charter to William Penn over 300 years ago, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission invites you to Charter Day, offering free admission to all 25 of its state historical sites.
Hop on board and join us for this evening of responsible adult fun, featuring breweries and food vendors among the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s amazing historic trains! Learn more.
Special activities for the entire family will focus on the Reading Railroad, one of the most important historical transportation systems in eastern Pennsylvania. We’ll feature a huge, operating model train layout by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society.
Your child can be immersed in all things railroading for five days this summer. It’s full STEAM ahead, with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math!
The young and the young at heart, the novice and the veteran railroader together will enjoy operating model train layouts as well as demonstrations and other activities.