Moffat Railroad Museum - A hidden gem in the Rockies

Rendering of Moffat Railroad Museum in Granby Colorado

While vacationing in Granby Colorado to visit Rocky Mountain National Park, I was surprised to find a railroad museum. It was closed for the season, but I sent an email, asking if anyone could give me a brief look while I was in town. Almost immediately, Dave Naples, the Executive Director of the museum responded saying he was there all week and would be happy to give me a tour. So, my wife and I went down on a Tuesday morning, just before an impending snow storm to see the museum.

Now my wife humors me and accompanies me on train related adventures, and she expected an hour or two would be her limit. But we were not prepared for what we found at the Moffat Railroad Museum. Expecting a short visit, we ended up fascinated for over 4 hours.

Dave Naples operating the enormous O-gauge layout in the museum

Dave Naples is the most amazing person. He is a walking encyclopedia of all things related to the railroads built by David Halliday Moffat. David Moffat was a banker, who became a major force in railroading connecting Denver to Cheyene and reviving the city of Denver after it was bypassed by the transcontinental railroad. He later went on to build other rail lines and head the Denver and Rio Grande and connect Denver to Grand Junction Colorado through the Rocky Mountains. He had envisioned what is now the Moffat Tunnel which connects Denver to Winter Park, Colorado. He did not live to see it built, but it was named after him and still serves to this day.

Dave Naples is building an HO layout replica of the Moffat Railroad starting from the east portal of the Moffat Tunnel all the way to Craig, Colorado. The trackwork for layout is largely completed and landscaping is underway, though some sections are fully complete. The layout includes a replica of the Winter Park Ski Resort, complete with operating gondola.

Granby section of HO Moffat Railroad Layout

Moffat Railroad Winter Park Section

Dave has an incredible story about how he started out intending to have a model railroad club layout space that evolved into the museum as it is today. The fateful day came, when he had an offer for a caboose to be donated. He found a way to make it work. He has a knack for fundraising and instills confidence in donors, because of his passion and ability to make things happen. He went from starting in an old warehouse to a modular building, then adding historic buildings transported to the site including the Dumont Depot (currently under restoration), and a Disney Magic Mountain building that now serves as the visitor center and gift shop,

The Dumont Station is getting a new life as the station for a 15" gauge family train ride. The tracks have been laid for this and Dave is working on completing crossing gates and completing safety upgrades prior to its planned opening later in 2026.

Dumont station formerly stood in Dumont, CO from 1902-1955

The museum boasts an original steam powered crane car. They are currently working on the boiler, in hopes to get it fully operational.

The 1922 West Side Lumber #8 3-truck Shay was relocated from the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Canon City, CO to the museum’s Interpretive Center! It was transported by truck to Granby and then a crane service assisted with positioning the locomotive onto the display track. The whistle for the locomotive was rebuilt and operates by compressed air, and you can get into the cab an operate it. It is quite satisfying to hear the 6-chime whistle blow.

Dave Naples is a terrific host and spent four hours with us providing interesting and intriguing details about the museum, how items were acquired and bits of history about David Haliday Moffat and his contributions to railroading in the west. David Moffat is credited with putting Denver back on the map by building a line from Denver to Cheyene, after the Transcontinental Railroad bypassed Denver, taking a northern route. Dave Naples is a big fan and knows the history well.

Dave Naples standing with me inside a passenger car built in 1905 by the American Car & Foundry Company, who also built the same model for David Moffat’s railroad. The car is under restoration.

It was serendipity that brought me to this museum, but it won't be the next time! This is a fantastic place to learn about and enjoy trains. Dave has built the O and HO layouts and is planning to add an S gauge layout in the station as restoration is completed. It is a great time and if you can make it there, I highly recommend it. If you do, say hi to Dave for me, I am sure he will bend your ear about the fascinating history of Colorado railroads and model railroading.

Mike