Jen Wilkinson, FEO, May 14, 2026, Volume 7, Issue 18
The Niagara Railway Museum welcomed visitors for another season, officially opening for its 29th year on May 9. Located at 21 Warren Street in Fort Erie, the volunteer-run museum continues to preserve and promote the railway heritage of the Niagara region while offering residents and visitors a chance to step back in time.
Founded in 1994 by Ken Jones, the museum began as a small collection of railway documents and photographs. What began as a passion project has grown into one of the region’s most distinctive historical attractions, featuring steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, railway maintenance equipment, model trains, historical displays, motorcars, and boxcars.
The museum’s founder and president reflected on how much the organization has grown over the years
“When I started this, it was very much my family, myself, my in-laws, my mum and dad, and a couple of friends,” Ken said. “That was it.”
Today, the museum has approximately 18 to 20 active members, all volunteers, who help keep the museum running. While the organization admits it could always use more help, the dedication of its volunteers continues to drive the museum forward.
“Our entire workforce is volunteering. There’s no paid staff here,” he explained. “My volunteers are amazing. I come up with an idea, and they either like it or tell me I’m nuts, but they’ll do it anyway.”
In March 2010, the museum relocated to the former Canadian National diesel shop in Fort Erie. The building, originally constructed in the early 1950s, closed in 1989 before finding new life as the museum’s permanent home. Since then, volunteers have worked steadily to restore equipment and improve the site.
Some restoration work is already underway for the 2026 season, including the installation of new windows in one of the train cars. Museum organizers acknowledge that some equipment still appears weathered, but stress that restoration takes time and funding.
“We can only do so much,” Ken said. “We’re a non-profit charitable organization. We don’t have a lot of money. We’re not run by the town. We’re run by what comes through that door and what people drop in the donation box.”
The museum is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October, offering visitors multiple opportunities throughout the summer and fall to explore the collection. In addition to its regular weekly openings, the museum hosts several special events each year, including a two-day event in July and the popular Rail Days celebration in September.
Organizers are also considering expanding programming in the future, including the possibility of a Christmas-themed event featuring Santa Claus inside one of the railway cars.
Beyond preserving trains and railway artifacts, the museum hopes to continue building partnerships with other museums and historical groups across the region.
“We’re big supporters of everybody working together,” Ken said. “The more groups involved, the better it is for everyone.”
The Niagara Railway Museum is also actively searching for volunteers and welcomes anyone interested in getting involved. Organizers stress that no railway experience is necessary.
“You don’t need to be skilled, and you don’t even need to have an interest in railways,” he said. “Some people want to work with the equipment, others can help with computer work, cataloguing, or displays. Clean or dirty work, there’s something for everyone.”
The museum is also seeking railway artifacts and photographs related to Niagara’s railway history up to the mid-to-late 1980s.
More information about the museum, volunteering, or upcoming events can be found through the museum’s website and Facebook page or by emailing info@nfrm.ca
