Photo by myself (User:Piotrus), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
About Forney Transportation Museum
Inside the 70,000‑square‑foot Denver museum, visitors wander among roughly 800 transportation artifacts, from Amelia Earhart’s “Gold Bug” Kissel to a Union Pacific Big Boy 4‑8‑8‑4 steam locomotive (#4005) displayed statically. The exhibit hall showcases a 1897 Porter‑built Forney tank engine, a Chicago & Northwestern oil‑burning 4‑6‑0 (No. 444), and a Henschel 0‑4‑0T (NR‑7) that once ran on Denmark’s 750 mm gauge. The collection presents a comprehensive view of historic road, rail and air transport.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Railroad museum
- Location
- CO
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ 1,855 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Forney Transportation Museum. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking
- Free lot
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: ClosedWednesday: ClosedThursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The museum’s static collection includes Union Pacific Big Boy 4‑8‑8‑4 locomotive No. 4005, Chicago & Northwestern Class R‑1 4‑6‑0 No. 444, a Forney‑type 0‑4‑4T locomotive No. 1 built by Porter in 1897 for the Cora‑Texas Plantation Company, Union Pacific rotary snowplow 900099, Denver & Rio Grande Western GP30 diesel No. 3006, and Henschel 0‑4‑0T locomotive NR‑7, which originally operated on 750 mm‑gauge track in Denmark. The GP30 No. 3006 handled freight trains through the Rocky Mountains, and the Henschel NR‑7 ran on Denmark’s 750 mm gauge lines before being brought to the museum.
History
See full history
The Forney Transportation Museum originates from J.D. Forney’s private collection, which he began assembling in 1955 in Fort Collins, Colorado. The institution is recorded as having been formally founded in 1961. In 1964 the museum attained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, cementing its public‑benefit mission. Since that designation, the museum has remained under the stewardship of the Forney family and operates as a private, nonprofit organization.
Around the Depot
Denver Coliseum Colorado Minerals Fossils Gems Jewelry ShowAttraction·★ 5 (6)3 min walkDirections →
National Western Stock ShowAttraction·★ 4.5 (4140)6 min walkDirections →Denver Parks and RecreationPark·★ 5 (1)6 min walkDirections →Globeville Landing ParkPark·★ 3.8 (119)7 min walkDirections →John Lewis MuralAttraction·★ 5 (1)9 min walkDirections →39th Avenue GreenwayPark·★ 5 (2)9 min walkDirections →39th Avenue GreenwayPark·★ 4.9 (12)10 min walkDirections →
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities Nearby
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.