Steam locomotive & Diesel electric trains museum located next to railway station in the steam sheds of the Vilanova i la Geltrú train maintenance depot
Updated: Mar 17, 2023by: Barcelona Travel HacksViews: 856
About Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú
The Catalonia Railway Museum, or Museo Del Ferrocarril de Cataluña, is located in the original steam locomotive depot of Vilanova i la Geltrú next to the train station.
Catalonia Railway Museum History
1967: The steam locomotive maintenance yard at Vilanova i la Geltrú closes. (Diesel locomotives replacing steam)
1972: September, the 19th Congress of European Railroad Modelers (MOROP) was held as an exhibition of steam locomotives in the Vilanova i la Geltrú depot having the advantage of a working track turnstile to drive the steam trains into the various bays of the yard as well as a water tower. Renfe moved trains from different places on the Spanish peninsula to the Vilanova i la Geltrú depot for exhibition in the city. After the International Congress, most of the trains would remain parked at the depot and beginning to form a museum.
1980: The various public institutions involved (RENFE, Generalitat de Catalunya and Vilanova i la Geltrú Town Council) were interested in the creation of a Railway Museum in Catalonia.
1990: Opened as a museum being run by railway enthusiasts from the railway industry. Vilanova i la Geltrú being the terminus of the R2 line to this day has a large train maintenance yard and in the heyday of steam, counted on over 900 workers to service the trains and carriages so with the railway being a large employer in the town, it was an obvious location for a railway museum.
1998; to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Barcelona to Mataró railway line, the museum foundation is incorporated and added to the list of Museums in Catalonia being museum number 114.
1998 - 2008: Refurbishment and incorporation of several railway buildings into the museum such as the Steam railway shed, The water tanks, some maintenance buildings "gran nave". The museum also acquired the track switching interlock from Estacio de França. The Great mural by Josep Maria Subirachs from Sants Station was also donated to the museum.
2006:The museum increased its collection of trains with the addition of sixteen new vehicles, including some diesel and electric Talgo traction units. The FGC also donated some trains from the Nuria Cremallera Railway.
2010: Refurbishment of the track turntable, Rotunda.
2010 onwards: Growth of the museum visitor numbers and securing of financing from multiple partners.
Image Gallery for Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Click on any of the 47 images to open full screen gallery player
❮❯
Visiting Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Today, the museum has more than fifty vehicles of all kinds: numerous electric locomotives, diesel and passenger cars of various types, including the complete composition of the Centenary Train, a replica of the first train that circulated Iberian Peninsula in 1848, and the first Talgo train. Also is an indoor museum with exhibits from the switching parts of the rail network.
This is a CHILD FRIENDLY museum with interactive exhibits, trains that thay can climb inside, a play area and plenty of visual displays.
Catalonia Railway Museum Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00h to 14:30h
Saturday: 10:00h to 14:30h & 16:00h to 19:30h
Closed: Monday
Summer shcedule: 1st August to 31st August
Monday to Sunday: 10:00h to 14:30h & 17:00h to 20:00h
Allow 1 to 2 hours to explore the Museum. Tickets can be purchased at the museum.
What to do in Vilanova i la Geltrú
After visiting the Catalonia Railway Museum, you can go to the beach and do Kayak, Surf and Paddle surf at a very low cost. Below are the activities on offer. My personal recommendation is sea Kayak guided tour.
Accessibility, mobility & Clothing for Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Access to the museum is step free. Access to the outside exhibits is via 3 steps or a long ramp. This museum is child friendly and easy to access with push chairs or in a wheel chair.
If you are combining this with a beach visit then you may be asked to leave a large rucksack or bag in reception. small 10L rucksack should not present any problems
Day Trip Rucksack
Small 10L day trip and museums rucksack
Emergency Poncho
Small folded lightweight Water proof poncho for emergencies
0.8L water bottle
Reusable, refillable 1L water bottle.
Summary of Prices
Train/Bus FareEntry TicketAdditional InformationTrain/Bus FareEntry TicketAdditional InformationAdult€ 8.40€ 6.50Over 60 years, 3.25 EurosChild€ 8.40€ 5.00For 6-17 Years. Under 6 FREEGroup/Family Ticket?10+ People - See Website.NotesClosed Mondays.
Getting to Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Address: Plaza d'Eduard Maristany, Vilanova i la Geltreu. 08800
Use the Renfe RODALIES R2 line from Barcelona to get to Vilanova i la Geltrú which is one stop on from Sitges.
The museum entrance is about 50 metres from the Renfe station exit.
Documents for Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Click on any one of the 4 PDFs to view in full screen and download.
Vilanova I la Geltru Train Map
Author: Barcelona Travel Hacks
Vilanova I la Geltru Rodalies Rail Map
Author: www.renfe.com
Vilanova I la Geltru Tourist Map
Author: www.vilanovaturisme.cat
Vilanova I la Geltru Railway Museum Brochure
Author: www.museudelferrocarril.org
Weather for Vilanova i la Geltru
Tags for Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú