The Las Cruces Railroad Museum is a unique museum that celebrates the history and importance of railroads in Las Cruces and southern New Mexico. Located in the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot building downtown, the museum transports visitors back to the age of steam and diesel locomotives.
Guests can explore various exhibits that showcase railroad artifacts, photographs, documents and scale models. Displays provide insight into the construction of the railroads, the daily operations, and the impact the rail industry had on the development of Las Cruces in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. The museum also profiles the jobs and lives of railroad workers.
In addition to its indoor galleries, the Las Cruces Railroad Museum maintains a collection of full-size locomotives and rail cars on site. Visitors can admire vintage steam engines, passenger coaches, freight cars and more up close. On weekends from March to November, the museum offers train rides along a short track behind the depot.
Through its collection and educational programming, the nonprofit Las Cruces Railroad Museum aims to preserve local railroad heritage and inspire an appreciation for the importance of trains. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how railroads shaped the history of both Las Cruces and the American West.
