Catalonia Railway Museum in Vilanova i la Geltrú

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

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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.

Railway Museum HomepageRailway Museum Hours & Prices

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.

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

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