Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City

Reviewed by the Las Vegas Guide editorial team · Updated June 2026

Ride restored 1911 Pullman coaches over the rail line that built Hoover Dam — a weekends-only heritage train and museum half an hour from the Strip.

Is the Nevada State Railroad Museum Worth It? Riding Hoover Dam's Construction Line

The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City is the rare Las Vegas–area attraction with real history under its wheels: its excursion trains roll down the Boulder Branch line, laid in 1931 to move crews and materials for the Hoover Dam project. Volunteers from the Friends of the Nevada Southern Railway help staff the operation, and the whole place has an earnest, small-town feel that's the opposite of the Strip — which is precisely its appeal.

Plan around the calendar: trains run Saturdays and Sundays from September through June and stop completely in July and August because of the heat, though the display pavilion of vintage locomotives and rolling stock stays open Thursday through Monday year-round. Scenery is honest desert — creosote flats and highway views, not canyon drama — and the ride is short, so treat it as half of a day trip and pair it with Hoover Dam, a short drive further on. A new visitor center is slated to open in fall 2026; until then, parts of the grounds are an active construction zone.

Insider tipBook an evening rail bike slot if you can — the 6:00 and 8:00 pm weekend departures run into sunset and after-dark desert, which beats the midday glare on the same 8 miles of track.

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Location

601 Yucca Street, Boulder City, NV 89005

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Frequently asked questions

Do the trains run in summer?

No. Excursion trains take July and August off because cabin and platform temperatures get dangerously high, and the rail bikes pause too — service typically restarts in early September. The display pavilion stays open through summer if you're set on visiting.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Tickets are sold through the museum's own site and at the depot. Regular weekend departures usually have room, but the themed runs — Santa Trains, Story Time, Day Out with Thomas — are the ones to book early.

Is this the same as the railroad museum in Carson City?

No — Nevada runs several state railroad museums, and the Carson City and East Ely branches are hundreds of miles north. This Boulder City location is the only one within easy day-trip range of Las Vegas.

Can you ride up front with the engineer?

Yes — a limited number of cab ride tickets put you in the locomotive with the crew for the full run. Riders must be at least 7, and the cab isn't air-conditioned, so it's a cool-season treat. Caboose seating is also sold separately.

What's changing with the 2026 expansion?

A new visitor center with over 2,800 square feet of exhibit space, a welcome plaza, and a proper passenger loading platform is due to open in fall 2026. State staffing means the new building may open weekends-only at first, and construction fencing is part of the scenery until it's done.

Is it worth visiting when the trains aren't running?

It's a tougher sell. The pavilion's locomotives and rolling stock are genuinely interesting to rail fans and admission costs next to nothing, but casual visitors should aim for a weekend when the train — or at least the rail bikes — are operating.

Rating

4.2

PriceSee ticket prices

WhereNevada State Railroad Museum

Address601 Yucca Street, Boulder City, NV 89005

Train rideA 7-mile round trip to Railroad Pass and back takes about 45 minutes in restored Pullman coaches built in 1911 — choose climate-controlled seating or the open-air car. Boarding starts 15 minutes before each departure.

Rail bike toursMotor-assisted rail bikes cover the same line on an 8-mile, roughly 90-minute round trip, up to four riders per bike. Solo riders are welcome, it suits ages 5 and up, and the tours pause entirely in summer.

Display pavilionThe covered pavilion holds vintage locomotives and restored rolling stock, and it stays open on days the trains don't run — plan on a quick 30–45 minutes of browsing.

Special event trainsStory Time Trains run the third Saturday of most months (not July, August, or December), with Halloween and Santa trains in season and occasional Day Out with Thomas weekends.

Opening hours Museum pavilion: Thu–Mon, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM Train rides: Sat–Sun at 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM (Sep–Jun) No excursion trains in July & August (extreme heat)

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