“Preserving New Jersey’s Railroad History… Since 1965”
Over the years, the Museum has acquired several unique pieces of railroad equipment with historic ties to New Jersey. This equipment is restored by museum volunteers and subsequently displayed in a pleasant early 1900’s atmosphere. They can be found on the various tracks around the Museum site.
Other equipment found outdoors includes several coal loaders and historic Anthracite coal advertising signs, generously donated to the Museum by L. S. Young and Sons of Denville. Anthracite, or “hard” coal, was a commodity that many New Jersey railroads were founded for and relied on for revenue for over half a century.
Interior museum displays highlight a different New Jersey, and specifically Morris County, area railroad each year. Displays show the history of the railroad through representative models, historic photographs, and rare paperwork. The history of New Jersey’s railroads comes alive within the walls of the Museum’s freight house.
A new interior display is our large O scale layout, capturing the feel of local New Jersey railroads, most notably the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western. This interactive display allows visitors to control a streetcar and several animated displays.
Other interior displays highlight a variety of railroad china, tools, and appliances such as bells, whistles and headlights.
Notable exterior landmarks include the quaint Whippany passenger station, built of stone; and the historic water tank from which Morristown & Erie steam locomotives once quenched their thirst. A new roof for the water tank was installed, funded by the Museum, to help preserve the classic structure. Keeping history alive takes much maintenance!
Adding to the railroad ambience of the Museum are a Lackawanna Railroad semaphore, Susquehanna Railroad order board, and several cast iron signs from various railroads. All these pieces were donated to the Museum, restored and set in place by Museum members.
The Museum is located along the right-of-way of the Morristown & Erie Railway, a local freight-hauling railroad.
Special consideration is due to the M&E’s late President Benjamin J. Friedland, without whose invaluable help over nearly 20 years, enabled the Museum to prosper and grow. The Museum is grateful for everyone’s past help, their current support, and we look forward to a bright future together.
Today, the Whippany Railway Museum is firmly committed to its role of preserving the heritage of the railroads in New Jersey and the Morris County region. The Museum has made tremendous progress over the past few years in the acquisition and restoration of new equipment, thanks mainly to the donations and support of our visitors.
