Western Mining & Railway Museum

Western Mining & Railway Museum
294 S Main St
Helper, Utah 84526

Winter Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 11AM-4PM

Summer Hours
Monday- Saturday: 10AM-5PM

Admission
Donations accepted

The Western Mining & Railway Museum follows the story of local coal miners from 1880 to 1950. Located in the small town of Helper,* Utah, the Western Mining & Railway Museum splits its 3 floors in the 1913 Old Helper Hotel between commemorating the region’s mining and railroad history. Maps, mining artifacts, and pictures reveal the every-day lives of local coal miners and the town that grew around their work and one of the world’s largest coal fields.

Coal Miner Equipment at the Western Mining & Railway Museum
Coal miner hat, fuel, and lunch pail.

Crib formation used to support the roof of a coal mine at the Western Mining & Railway Museum
Crib formation used to support the roof of a coal mine.
Ore Cart at the Western Mining & Railway Museum
Ore cart
Western Mining & Railway Museum exterior
Western Mining & Railway Museum exterior

Outdoor Mining Display

A block and a half from its 3-stories of indoor artifacts, the Western Mining & Railway Museum also includes an outdoor mining display. This a paved path wanders through the small grassy park dotted with large retired specimens of mining equipment. Each piece is accompanied by an interpretive plaque explaining the machine’s function and significance.

Longwall Machine at the Western Mining & Railway Museum Outdoor Mining Display
Longwall Machine

Loader at the Western Mining & Railway Museum Outdoor Mining Display
Loader
Mucking Machine at the Western Mining & Railway Museum Outdoor Mining Display
Mucking Machine
Wooden Rail Cart at the Western Mining & Railway Museum Outdoor Mining Display
Wooden rail cart

*Helper is named after the “helper” engines used to aid standard train engines over Soldier Summit.

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