Reading Railroad
Heritage Museum
HISTORY OF THE READING RAILROAD HERITAGE MUSEUM
As the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society collections grew during the 1980’s and 1990’s, members and leaders began to realize that the expanding collections were held in public trust and should be displayed for the public. Diligent searches for a permanent site ruled out 13 possible locations. It was decided at a planning session in 1999 to establish a museum. A meeting in 2002 with a planning consultant and 53 RCT&S members began to lay the groundwork.
In 2002 a meeting of community leaders was held to move the project forward. However, as no suitable location had been found, initial plans to begin a mobile museum were made. Those plans were abandoned when the property at 500 S. Third St. in Hamburg became available. The nearly 7-acre site, formerly the Pennsylvania Steel Company, met most site requirements and was purchased for $120,000 in early 2003. Generous donations from members allowed the 10-year mortgage to be retired in 5 years.
A subsequent site study recommended a museum with a scenic railroad excursion, 3 interpretive centers, and an economic development plan. Although that extensive plan was later found unfeasible, more consultations with museum planning firms over the next few years moved the project forward.
The years 2003-2008 brought planning, building renovation, demolition of the foundry building, initial track work and more. Several state and local grants were added to member donations to renovate the main building. A federal IMLS grant funded professionally produced initial museum exhibits and an orientation film. The theme was chosen for the museum – “The Reading Railroad Shaped Communities”, showcasing five influences of the Reading Railroad on the communities it served: society, culture, environment, business and commerce, and railroad technology.
The first RCT&HS locomotive, U30C #6300, arrived on the property in September, 2007, followed quickly by 4 more locomotives, 2 freight cars, and a caboose.
Volunteers worked to remove discarded foundry materials and clean up the grounds, move the archives into its new space, lay track and move equipment, set up the museum store, construct and furnish the station agent office exhibit, renovate the theater room, and supervise demolition of the foundry building. Yard tours were planned and museum docents were recruited and trained.
The grand opening of the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum was held on April 12, 2008. The celebration included ribbon cutting, food, tours, special displays, children’s activities, music, and more.
Several grants between 2009 and 2017 from Schuylkill River Greenways, Our Town Foundation, National Railway Historical Society, and T. Dailey Foundation partially funded track work, mural painting, façade repair and painting, archival materials, and AV equipment.
Site development plans were made with the assistance of an architect in 2008 and revised in 2016. Site construction and storm water management controls were completed at the north section of the property in 2011 at a cost of $18,000. The site development enabled the erection of a 72 ft. by 150 ft., 4-track railcar protection building. It was completed in 2021. Both these projects were funded entirely by members’ donations.
Other museum enhancements included converting the former shop lunchroom into a functional activity building, operating the Munchkin Railroad for children (2013-2024), many railcar and locomotive restoration projects, and rehabilitating the “parade locomotive”.
A PA DCED grant in 2021 purchased track, a portable restroom trailer, and the building shown here which became the switch tower replica. Volunteers installed the controls formerly used in the Race St. tower in Philadelphia complete with realistic sound and lights. Also completed in 2024, was “The Whistle Stop” an outdoor play and learning area for children. A new logo for the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum was adopted in 2026.
Annual museum events include an extensive Christmas exhibit with six gauges of operating model trains, LEGO train days, Anthracite Modelers Meet, a food stand at the Hamburg King Frost parade, and changing educational exhibits.
Admission
Adults $9
Seniors (65+) $8
Children (5-12) $3
Children 4 and under free
RCT&HS Members free
Groups of 10 or more $5 each –
MUST BE ARRANGED AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE
Hours
Saturdays 10AM – 4PM
Sundays 12PM – 4PM
Closed for winter:
Jan 15 – Mar 1
Yard Tours
Saturdays
10:30 • 11:30 • 12:30 • 1:30 • 2:30
Sundays
12:30 • 1:30 • 2:30