I’ve been wanting to stop at this railway museum for years but it was always closed when we drove by. It’s located on the road to Hopewell Rocks in the historic village of Hillsborough.
This summer we checked the hours and found it opened. It’s usually open during summer and by request other seasons. First impressions are not always accurate. When we walked into the yard we saw a few trains outdoors and thought to ourselves, is this it? As we walked though, we realized there was so much more and it’s really an interesting museum. The yard itself is pretty neat with trains, buildings and an old Canadian Fighter jet.
What’s inside the buildings is what’s remarkable. It’s the history of the railway in New Brunswick. One of the buildings is the main museum although the others have artifacts as well. The museum has real nice collection of memorabilia and photos. You have to really look close to see it all.
In the far back of the yard, employees direct you to an outbuilding where trains are being restored. You can climb on these interesting trains and have a look. No ramps so you actually need to climb aboard. These are interesting trains that haven’t been fully restored but to me adds to the charm.
The history of this museum is an interesting one as well. It was a former CN Rail branch line that ran from Salisbury to Hillsborough . It serviced a gypsum quarry until the late 1970’s. In 1982 a group of retired railway employees and other volunteers took possession of it and operated several CN and CPR steam locomotives as coach trains and dinner trains between Hillsborough and Salem . In 1994 arson fire destroyed several trains and Hillsborough’s engine stop. A rebuilding effort was done but money and volunteers started to dwindle. It became a stationary site in 2005.
It’s obvious the museum doesn’t have the money other railway museums have but it really is a great one and any rail enthusiast will enjoy visiting. I just hope they start up the train rides again in the future.
