Arizona Railway Museum

Hours of Operation, Entrance Fees, Tours


Location

330 E. Ryan Rd., Chandler, AZ 85286

 (Ryan Road is south of Germann and east of Arizona Avenue)

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 842, Chandler, AZ 85244

Season

OPEN: September 2, 2023 - May 26, 2024

CLOSED: June, July, August (TOO HOT DURING THE SUMMER!)

Days/Hours

OPEN: Saturday-Sunday: 10-4pm (CLOSED Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day, Easter Sunday)

CLOSED: Monday-Friday (NOT OPEN DURING WEEKDAYS)

Admission Fee*
Family (2 Adults, 3 Children): $40
Adult (12+yrs): $15
Child (2-12yrs): $10
Infant (Under 2yrs): Free
Active Military: Free w/ID (ARM is a Blue Star Museum)

Admission fee includes:

Self-guided walk around our yard to view the equipment.  Placards are located near each piece describing the historical significance.  The yard is open-air (uncovered) and surfaced in crushed rock.  Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

Access to the display building which houses our smaller artifacts (also our Gift Shop and restroom). 

Access to 4(min) to 8 passenger cars and a caboose open for walking through and viewing the interior.

Please note that the Museum cars are not configured for the disabled (all doors/hallways are original width) and entering/exiting the cars requires climbing stairs.

*  The museum's landlord (the City of Chandler) has chosen to decrease their support (by increasing the property leasing fees) of the 100% all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit, Arizona Railway Museum.  Consequently, in 2017, we were forced to eliminate the 34-year long tradition of offering a free admission option.  The museum's preservation, restoration, presentation, and operation efforts will continue in the 100% all-volunteer manner. 

We do what we do (unpaid) because we believe in the importance of preserving and presenting Arizona's railroad history.

Group Tours:  Fee Schedule

Tours are available for groups for a small fee on a limited basis.  As we are an all volunteer organization, tours need to be scheduled in advance.  To request a group tour, please email our Tour Coordinator at tours@azrymuseum.org.

Party Cars:  Fee Schedule

Want to have a birthday party in a caboose or a larger party in a passenger car?   The party caboose has a single large open interior with tables, chairs, and plenty of room for a kids party.  For scheduling and more information, contact our Party Coordinator at party@azrymuseum.org

Private (and Student) Video or Photography: FREE

Videos and photos taken for private/student use is permitted free of charge as long as it does not disrupt or interfere with other visitors enjoyment of the museum.  Equipment should be limited to a single camera, flash and tripod.

If you are taking family photos of your vacation, or learning how to become a better photographer, great!

Commercial Video or PhotographyNOT FREE

Commercial photography (including for-profit portrait photography) requires a video/photo permit PRIOR to the day of the shoot.  Any extended equipment set-up (multiple cameras, special lighting, wardrobe, etc.) and/or restricted access shall be scheduled.  Pre-payment can be made at the ARM Gift Shop during normal operating hours.

If there is money involved (including between photographer and client), its a commercial shoot.

Commercial Fee Schedule

Commercial Video/Photo Permit

Summer Hours

We are officially closed during the Summer.  We are an all volunteer operation and it is difficult to get volunteers to staff the displays in such heat.  Also, the visitor count per day goes drastically down.  However, we have a few stalwart volunteers that come semi-regularly every weekend to work on their projects.  Times are variable, but generally EARLY on Saturday mornings you may find volunteers working on stuff.  Typically 7:30-9:00am.  If the gates are open, you are welcome to enter.  There is no guarantee someone will be working, so it is up to luck.  Access to the display cars is not guaranteed (BUT you may get a chance to see inside other cars not normally open for display).  Most of the equipment is visible through the perimeter fence so your trip won't be wasted.

About the ARM

The Arizona Railway Museum was founded and incorporated in 1983 as a non-profit, educational and historical organization. The Museum is dedicated to the railways of Arizona and the Southwest. The interest and fascination of railways and trains has no boundaries and so railways of all kinds are included in the scope of the Museum.

The Arizona Railway Museum is a community effort towards the acquisition, restoration, preservation and display of railway equipment, artifacts and mementos related to railways of the past and present.

All restoration efforts are funded solely from membership dues and public contributions. The Museum is a Non-Profit Organization (501-C-3 in IRS terms).


Have questions, comments then please
E-mail the Museum Webmaster