The Forney Museum of Transportation is at 4303 Brighton Blvd in Denver, beside the Denver Coliseum. Its collection spans cars, trains, motorcycles, bicycles, aircraft, carriages, and other forms of transport, with exhibits tracing how people have travelled through different eras. Look for the Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive and Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel Gold Bug, then take time for the model railroad and displays of rail equipment. The range makes this a good stop for families and anyone curious about transport history, not only dedicated train or car enthusiasts.
A collection that grew beyond cars
The Forney Museum began with a single 1921 Kissel in a private collection. It later became a public museum focused on transportation, expanding from antique automobiles to include locomotives, motorcycles, aircraft, carriages, bicycles, and other forms of transport. The collection now brings together hundreds of artifacts that show how people and goods moved across different periods.
Rather than focusing on one kind of vehicle, the displays range from everyday transport to large rail equipment. You can move between cars, buggies, steam engines, motorcycles, and public transportation exhibits, with information that places individual objects in the history of travel.
Locomotives and rail equipment
The Union Pacific Big Boy is a central draw, and the museum also displays other locomotives and railroad equipment. Among the items visitors may find are a Colorado & Southern caboose, a snow plow, and a rail derrick. The variety helps put the scale of railway travel in context, from the locomotive itself to equipment used alongside the tracks.
A model railroad is another point of interest. Give it time as you make your way through the larger vehicles and rail displays.
Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles
The automobile collection includes Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel Gold Bug, as well as vintage cars such as a 1923 Hispano-Suiza and a 1898 Renault coupe. Other named vehicles in the collection include Prince Aly Khan’s Rolls-Royce and Ford Model Ts. The exhibits pair individual cars with the wider story of changing transport.
Motorcycles and bicycles have their own place in the collection. The Indian Motorcycle Collection spans models from 1913 to 1953, while bicycles, carriages, buggies, and sleighs show other ways people travelled. The museum also includes aircraft, fire apparatus, toys, and die-cast models, so the displays extend beyond road and rail vehicles.
Planning your visit
The museum is at 4303 Brighton Blvd, next to the Denver Coliseum. It is open Monday and Thursday through Sunday, and closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Check the museum’s website for current admission details and any special exhibitions or events before setting out.
Many vehicles are displayed behind barriers or at a distance, so you may not be able to approach every item closely. Read the exhibit information to learn more about the objects on display. A visit of around two hours gives you time to see the main collection without rushing.
FAQ
How long should I plan for the Forney Museum of Transportation?
About two hours is a useful guide for exploring the collection at a comfortable pace.
What are the main things to see at the museum?
Look for the Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive, Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel Gold Bug, the other rail equipment, and the model railroad.
Where is the Forney Museum of Transportation?
It is at 4303 Brighton Blvd in Denver, beside the Denver Coliseum.
Which days is the museum closed?
The museum is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
