Ridgway Railroad Museum

Ridgway, a small town with a renowned railroad history, was founded in 1890 as the headquarters of the Rio Grande Southern narrow gauge railroad.

A gateway to the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado, Ridgway was an ideal location for the railroad to serve the area’s rich silver and gold mines, along with ranches and farms. Today, the railroad is no longer in operation. However, the world famous Rio Grande Southern remains a vital part of the community through a specialized historical railroad museum.

The Ridgway Railroad Museum, located at 200 North Railroad Street in Ridgway, is “dedicated to the preservation of the history of railroading in Ouray County and surrounding areas.” Previously located at the town’s visitor center, the museum is now situated on a 16-acre site, complete with a half mile loop track. Assorted cars, cabooses and even a “Galloping Goose” are featured as part of the museum’s historical collection.

Built in Ridgway’s roundhouse, the seven vehicles known as, “Galloping Geese,” were automobile-based rail buses that carried mail, passengers and light freight as a more economical way of transportation versus a steam train. Galloping Goose Number 4 is the only one of the seven that has not been restored or modified. The Ridgway Railroad Museum has an agreement to restore Number 4 to operating condition.

The museum is also home to a re-creation of Motor Number 1 by Karl Schaeffer. The original Rio Grande Southern Number 1 was built in 1931 in Ridgway but was scrapped for parts in 1933. In 2000, Schaeffer built the re-creation using a 1926 Buick Master Six modified to look like the original 1925 used for the Number 1.

The museum is a non-profit 501(C)3 corporation. Museum members work on the restoration projects including carpentry and painting. Visitors to the museum will be delighted with the free rides provided on available equipment from 9 AM until noon on Saturdays from early May to late September.