All Aboard!

The boys and I took an unexpected trip to the Danbury Railway Museum, with their best buds and their awesome mom.  We ended up having to stop at every single red light on the way there, and once we arrived, it did not look like much on the outside.  However, all 4 boys are in love with trains, the museum has air conditioning, and they had a real ride.  How could we not give it a shot?

I was surprised the second we stepped inside.  Not only is admission very reasonable, but the staff was extremely friendly.  You could tell right away, that these people truly cared about their museum and making sure that all visitors are comfortable.  Then, looking at everything that surrounds you, the amount of care and time that is put into the place is obvious.  They had old station benches in the lobby with a movie playing about trains.  Another display featured old photographs about a movie that was filmed in the Danbury station.  Then we stepped into the back room, and the only way to describe it was magical.

I'm a bit of a train geek myself.  It was hard not to become one when my father turned my old bedroom into a train room.  He had taught me all about the different gauges that are used in model trains, he taught me what he knew about the railroad, and he passed that love of trains onto my boys.  I would like to think it is in their blood.  :)  When we stepped into the back room, I had to take a moment of silence to acknowledge all of the different model train displays they have set up throughout the room.  There was an O Gauge set, located right next to the 3 kid size train table they have available for little hands.  All of their displays were behind glass, and all you had to do was push a button to make the whole thing light up and go.  Then they had an HO set, followed by a G set at the very end.  They also had an N set, but that is under some rehabilitation.  Not only did they have these displays, but they also had various lights, the history of the railways through pictures, and even real tools on display that would be used on the railroad.

After looking at all of that, it was time to board the train.  It was kinda cool that you had to walk across the Metro North track to get to their yard, and it was even cooler once you were in the yard.  It was a small little train, but it served it's purpose.  It takes you for a ride to the end of their yard, where you disembark to walk onto the turntable.  Unfortunately, it is not suitable for trains anymore, but it served it's purpose for 4 little kids to be able to stand on it and feel it turn around and around.  Then we walked over to the Pump House that was moved to their location from the original location near the Danbury Fair Mall.

Boarding the train again, we finished our 20 minute tour of the entire yard.  Once we arrived at the end, all of the boys were able to explore open cars, a steam engine, and the rest of the yard.  Granted, I think all of us were fried at that point, since it was EXTREMELY hot and humid, but to us, it was more than amazing.  My inner child was more than happy...and I was more than happy to have a nice long conversation with a volunteer about the various cars we passed and when we were taking our ride.  This CT gem has no funding from the state, and all of the funds they have to operate come from donations, memberships, and train rides.  I already cannot wait to take the boys back, and I know they are excited to go back too.  Thank you Shirin for the awesome idea, and the wonderful day we had together.  :)