PUEBLO RAILWAY FOUNDATION

The museum operates train rides using one of its three historic GP7 diesel-electric locomotives and its two historic cabooses. Events are regularly scheduled at Easter, July 4th, Halloween, and Christmas. School group tours and private charters are provided throughout the year. Many area residents have never ridden a train or been inside a caboose. Our fares are very low, providing an opportunity for the community to ride and learn about the historic railroad equipment in the museum's collection. Educational handouts are available at these events. Maintenance expenses, diesel fuel, oil, and other expenses are not fully covered by the train ride fares. Generous donations by our members help offset these costs. The Foundation's viewpoint is that the museum is not a tourist railroad but rather an educational opportunity for area residents to learn about and ride in railroad equipment that helped to build the city of Pueblo.

The Foundation maintains an office near the museum's collection, from which it coordinates museum activities. A Pueblo County & City of Pueblo Partnership grant provides funds for rent and utilities, allowing the Foundation to allocate remaining income to grounds and equipment maintenance and historic equipment restoration. The museum property includes a five-acre train yard. When desert winds blow, dry weeds and trash accumulate on the property and require constant clean-up. Rails, ties, and switches must be continually inspected, maintained, and periodically replaced to ensure safe and smooth train rides. The diesel locomotives require regular maintenance, and the cabooses need cleaning of their interiors following events. Supplies for all grounds and equipment maintenance are paid from museum funds; the work is accomplished by museum volunteers.