The Virginian Railway · Princeton, West Virginia
On historic Mercer Street, the Princeton Railroad Museum keeps alive the story of the Virginian Railway — H. H. Rogers' scientifically-built line that hauled the coalfields to the sea. Climb aboard our restored Caboose #308, explore the collection, and take a self-guided audio tour of the museum and the arts district at our door.
Open year-round · Wednesday–Sunday · 11am–4pm · 99 Mercer Street
Wed–Sun · 11am–4pm
Free · donations welcome
A restored caboose, a gallery of railroad history, hands-on fun for kids, and an audio tour that carries on right out the front door.
Step aboard our restored Virginian Railway caboose and see how the crew lived and worked the line.
The storyFinanced by one of the world's wealthiest men, engineered to be the most efficient coal road ever built. 443 miles, 1909–1959.
Self-guidedAn in-museum audio guide, plus a mapped stroll through the Mercer Street arts district — with accessibility notes at every stop.
Groups welcomeWe love group visits. Book a guided tour for classrooms, scout troops and 4-H clubs — there's a build-a-track corner for kids.
Get involvedWe're a grant-funded nonprofit museum. Donate by card, Venmo or Cash App, become a member, or shop the gift shop.
Around townThe revitalized Grassroots Arts District, the Historical Society and Visit Mercer County — make a day of it.
A caboose you can climb into. A track velocipede a lineman once pumped by hand. Every piece in the museum has a story — here are a few.
Those were the words of founder Henry Huttleston Rogers. The Virginian Railway was built without regard to cost — a scientifically engineered line that could out-haul competitors many times its size. We preserve that story for the next generation.
We safeguard the artifacts, photographs, artwork and rolling stock of the Virginian Railway and the N&W that followed it.
Through exhibits, group tours and hands-on activities, we share Princeton's railroad heritage with families, schools and scouts.
We anchor the historic east end of Mercer Street's Grassroots District — part of downtown Princeton's ongoing renaissance.
Real photographs from the Princeton Railroad Museum — the galleries, the artifacts and our restored Caboose #308.
See the latest exhibits, events and finds — and help spread the word about Princeton's railroad heritage.
Tell a friend about the Princeton Railroad Museum — every share helps a small nonprofit museum reach new visitors.
Follow the museum for photos, event updates and railroad memories — and join the “You know you're from Princeton, WV if…” community too.
We're a grant-funded nonprofit museum. Your gift — by card, Venmo or Cash App — restores artifacts, keeps the lights on, and welcomes school groups for free.