Rio Grande Southern Railroad's Galloping Goose No. 5 sits proudly on display at the museum
The Galloping Goose Railcar and The Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum are located in Dolores, Colorado, 11 miles north of Cortez on Highway 145.
The Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum is housed in a replica of the original RGS depot in the center of town and is Dolores' only active museum. The museum is open 6 days a week from mid-May through mid-October with limited hours during the off-season winter months. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.
The museum collection includes historic photos, interpretive displays, artwork, models, artifacts, reference books and papers. The world-famous Rio Grande Southern Railroad's Galloping Goose No. 5 is on display in front of the museum. During Dolores River Festival and Escalante Days, rides are often available on the Goose. In addition, the Goose "travels" to the Durango and Silverton Railfest in August for photo shoots and rides, and to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Fall Color event in October.
Food, fuel, and lodging are available in Dolores, as well as in Mancos and Cortez. A visit to the Galloping Goose No. 5 and the Museum may be combined with outdoor recreational activities in the San Juan National Forest or McPhee Lake, Colorado's 2nd largest lake, or with a visit to the Anasazi Heritage Center and Lowry Pueblo, other stops along the Trail of the Ancients. In the summer months, catch the Dolores Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings outside the Museum.
