Travel Town Museum is located in Los Angeles, California’s Griffith Park, and is a railway museum. The museum was opened to the public in 1952 and exhibited the great history of railways in the western United States from 1880 to 1930s. The Travel Town museum of Los Angeles serves as a favorite destination for families, group tours, and railroad enthusiast.
Contributed in construction by a Rancho Cucamonga concrete contractor, it is the symbol of the generosity of community support, groups, individuals, and local businesses that have whole-heartedly donated railroad artifacts, locomotives, and passenger cars. This collection serves as the study material for the rail enthusiasts who want to dive deep into the history of their city’s locomotive transportation. The museum still accepts and encourages people to donate for the collection of the locomotive and related items to continue the community spirit.
History of the Museum
The museum was the brainchild of Charles Atkins, who proposes a full-sized locomotive and some rail enthusiasts. He was a recreation and park employee at Griffith Park and suggested the setup of a full-sized locomotive as an attractive addition to the mini railroad ride at Griffith Park. With the help of senior officials, Atkins initiated the setup of the locomotive with major railroads in California, donating the equipment. After the inauguration of the Travel Town, the earliest locomotives were made accessible so children could play with them. The museum has undergone different stages of development and growth.
Days and Hours of Operation
The rail museum is open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and has different (extended) timings during weekends. The Travel Town museum observes an off on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Collections of the Museum
The museum has a vast and unique collection of locomotive cranes, steam engines, diesel-electric road switchers, freight cars, passenger cars, and interurban and motorcars that speak the gradual development of transportation in California. Various popular companies like Boeing Corporation, Santa Fe Railroad, Railroads of Hawaii, Michigan- California Lumber company, etc. has donated the locomotives to be displayed at the Travel Town Museum.
Visitors have an excellent opportunity to witness the instruments that played a major role in the development of the city under one roof.
Plan a Party at the Museum
If you are looking to throw a birthday party of your kid in a different style, book birthday party cars at Travel Town Museum. The party car can be booked well in advance is equipped with a table, chairs, freezer, air conditioner, and heater to keep the party spirit high. There is ample space for parking on the museum premises during operational hours.
The museum has a gift shop where you can buy toys, clothing items, and books on railroad themes. The best way to cover the entire museum is through the ride of scale train, which gives a different view of the travel town.