Opening day for the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum is Sunday, May 20! Please come out and enjoy a fun day of trains at our museum! Your tour starts at the New York Museum of Transportation, where you will board a trolley for part of your journey. You'll transfer at Midway Station and board our diesel trains to complete your ride down to Industry Depot. Tour our restored depot, visit our displays and take a ride through history! We hope you'll join us throughout the season for special events at the museum. ALL ABOARD!
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Enjoy trolley and train rides for opening day!
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Season opens successfully!
With perfect weather, the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum and its partner, the New York Museum of Transportation, opened our joint operations ride season on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The museums will now be open and operating together every Sunday through the end of October 2012. We hope you will come on out for a visit.
Have a group and would like a weekday tour of the museums with or without a ride? We do those as well. Looking for a great place to have your child's birthday party? We do that to. Please contact our partner, the New York Museum of Transportation, here or give them a call at (585) 533-1113 to set your tour or party up.
Here are a few more photos from opening day. Again, we hope to see you soon.
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| R&GVRR GE 80-ton diesel locomotive shoves Erie Railroad caboose #C254 and Penn Central Railroad caboose #18526 toward the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum on Sunday, May 20, 2012 |
Here are a few more photos from opening day. Again, we hope to see you soon.
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2012 Special Events Calendar
“Railroad Day" Sunday, June 17
Special Event admission prices apply.
The museums let visitors get “up close and personal” with the exciting world of railroading. Find out how to couple train cars together, learn what makes a diesel locomotive go, take a turn at the Morse Code ticker in the 100-year-old country station, and discover the rich railroading history of our region. Caboose rides will provide the connection from the trolley to the R&GVRRM.
"Trolleys at Twilight” Saturday, July 21 (4:00 PM to 10:00 PM)
Special Event admission prices apply.
The New York Museum of Transportation recreates an evening at an old-time “trolley park,” complete with refreshing ice cream and the happy sound of the calliope wafting across the beautiful Genesee valley countryside. A diesel locomotive with two cabooses will meet the trolley for the continuation to the R&GVRRM.
"Diesel Day” Sunday, August 19
Special Event admission prices apply.
These kings of the rails come in all sizes, and the collection at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum gives visitors a close-up look. Learn what makes a diesel go. See several different diesel locomotives under power, and take a ride on them! Extended hours 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.
“Fall Foliage by Trolley & Train”
Sundays, September 16, 23 & 30
Sunday, October 7, 14, 21 & 28 & November 4
Special Event admission prices apply.
Enjoy the beauty of Autumn in western New York State from the window of an authentic 80-year-old electric trolley car. A diesel locomotive with two cabooses will meet the trolley each day for the continuation to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Trolleys depart every half-hour starting at 11:30, and no reservations are required.
Joint Museum Train Ride Season Ends
Sunday, November 4
Rides between the two museums close for the season, but the New York Museum of Transportation remains open throughout the year, Sundays only, with a giant model railroad, exhibits of trolley cars, a steam locomotive, road vehicles, models, photographs and artifacts pertaining to our area’s transportation heritage.
"Holly Trolley Rides”
November 24-25
December 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16
Saturdays & Sundays
Santa may still use reindeer power, but museum visitors can enjoy a ride on an authentic 80 year-old electric trolley car, recalling another time when families rode the big interurban trolleys from their rural homes to do their holiday shopping in the city. Also, nothing says Christmas like model trains, and the museum’s large model railroad will be running five trains at once.
Weekday Group Tours
Consider bringing your club, scout group, or school class for a group visit at the museums. Tours can be customized for any comprehension level and time constraint. By appointment only. (585) 533-1113
Birthdays & Special Occasions
A visit to our museums is a great way to celebrate a birthday or other special time, from toddlers to old timers! The party goers can enjoy their goodies seated in a ninety-year-old trolley car, then take a ride on our museum railroad. You provide the party, and we provide the fun. Be sure to call a few weeks in advance to work out the details. (585) 533-1113.
The museums reserve the right to substitute equipment, modify or cancel any special event without prior notification.
Special Event admission prices apply.
The museums let visitors get “up close and personal” with the exciting world of railroading. Find out how to couple train cars together, learn what makes a diesel locomotive go, take a turn at the Morse Code ticker in the 100-year-old country station, and discover the rich railroading history of our region. Caboose rides will provide the connection from the trolley to the R&GVRRM.
"Trolleys at Twilight” Saturday, July 21 (4:00 PM to 10:00 PM)
Special Event admission prices apply.
The New York Museum of Transportation recreates an evening at an old-time “trolley park,” complete with refreshing ice cream and the happy sound of the calliope wafting across the beautiful Genesee valley countryside. A diesel locomotive with two cabooses will meet the trolley for the continuation to the R&GVRRM.
"Diesel Day” Sunday, August 19
Special Event admission prices apply.
These kings of the rails come in all sizes, and the collection at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum gives visitors a close-up look. Learn what makes a diesel go. See several different diesel locomotives under power, and take a ride on them! Extended hours 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.
“Fall Foliage by Trolley & Train”
Sundays, September 16, 23 & 30
Sunday, October 7, 14, 21 & 28 & November 4
Special Event admission prices apply.
Enjoy the beauty of Autumn in western New York State from the window of an authentic 80-year-old electric trolley car. A diesel locomotive with two cabooses will meet the trolley each day for the continuation to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Trolleys depart every half-hour starting at 11:30, and no reservations are required.
Joint Museum Train Ride Season Ends
Sunday, November 4
Rides between the two museums close for the season, but the New York Museum of Transportation remains open throughout the year, Sundays only, with a giant model railroad, exhibits of trolley cars, a steam locomotive, road vehicles, models, photographs and artifacts pertaining to our area’s transportation heritage.
"Holly Trolley Rides”
November 24-25
December 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16
Saturdays & Sundays
Santa may still use reindeer power, but museum visitors can enjoy a ride on an authentic 80 year-old electric trolley car, recalling another time when families rode the big interurban trolleys from their rural homes to do their holiday shopping in the city. Also, nothing says Christmas like model trains, and the museum’s large model railroad will be running five trains at once.
Weekday Group Tours
Consider bringing your club, scout group, or school class for a group visit at the museums. Tours can be customized for any comprehension level and time constraint. By appointment only. (585) 533-1113
Birthdays & Special Occasions
A visit to our museums is a great way to celebrate a birthday or other special time, from toddlers to old timers! The party goers can enjoy their goodies seated in a ninety-year-old trolley car, then take a ride on our museum railroad. You provide the party, and we provide the fun. Be sure to call a few weeks in advance to work out the details. (585) 533-1113.
The museums reserve the right to substitute equipment, modify or cancel any special event without prior notification.
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Latest newsletter available - June 2012
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June membership meeting - 6.21.2012
The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum is please to announce our June general membership meeting on Thursday, June 21st. For the months of June, July, August & September, the meetings will be held at the R&GVRRM and will feature operations of the museums railroad collection on the museum's demonstration railroad. The meeting gets underway around 6:00PM with operations throughout the evening. A short business meeting may be held at some time during the evening. The museum's restoration shop will also be open to see all of the progress taking place.
Interested in learning more about how to become a member or how to volunteer at the R&GVRRM? This is the perfect night to come out and learn more about what we are about. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.
Interested in learning more about how to become a member or how to volunteer at the R&GVRRM? This is the perfect night to come out and learn more about what we are about. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.
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A promising sign
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Ride behind vintage diesels August 19!
Railroads have been a vital part of our nation's success for more than 150 years, thanks to continuous expansion and innovation. One of those innovations is the diesel locomotive, which has been the backbone of the industry since the 1940s. From the earliest switch engines to today's high-horsepower thoroughbreds, the diesel locomotive has been essential to the growth of American railroads.
On Sunday, August 19, the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will host its annual Diesel Day, where visitors will not only see and hear a collection of restored vintage diesels, but also ride behind these kings of the rails. Visitors will have a chance to meet the crews and see what's under the hood of these fascinating machines.
All tours begin at the New York Museum of Transportation, 3395 East River Road, Rush, N.Y., where visitors will board an authentic electric trolley car that will meet all diesel trains. One admission is good for entry to both museums! Admission is $8 for Adults (15 and over), $7 for Seniors (65+), $3 for Children (3-15). For more information, please visit our web site at www.rgvrrm.org or call (585) 533-1431. Tickets are first come, first serve, so don't be left at station for this special event!
On Sunday, August 19, the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will host its annual Diesel Day, where visitors will not only see and hear a collection of restored vintage diesels, but also ride behind these kings of the rails. Visitors will have a chance to meet the crews and see what's under the hood of these fascinating machines.
All tours begin at the New York Museum of Transportation, 3395 East River Road, Rush, N.Y., where visitors will board an authentic electric trolley car that will meet all diesel trains. One admission is good for entry to both museums! Admission is $8 for Adults (15 and over), $7 for Seniors (65+), $3 for Children (3-15). For more information, please visit our web site at www.rgvrrm.org or call (585) 533-1431. Tickets are first come, first serve, so don't be left at station for this special event!
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Thanks to everyone who attended Diesel Day!
Thanks to everyone who attended Diesel Day! Just a reminder that we are open Sundays throughout the rest of the season, and we hope you'll return for our other special events through the end of October. Check out our web site for details!
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Latest newsletter available - September 2012
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October Newsletter and Meeting Notice
We would also like to invite you to our monthly museum meeting, which is open to anyone interested in railroad history. Come join us this Thursday, October 18, at the 40&8 Club (located at 933 University Avenue in Rochester). The museum store opens at 7:00, and following a brief business meeting Otto Vondrak will present "New York City and Beyond," showcasing modern railroad action from the New York metro area, Minnesota, Iowa, Washington and Oregon. Don't miss it!
Also, don't forget our special rare-mileage trip operating over the length of the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad on October 27! This is your last week to order tickets, so don't get left at the station! All proceeds from ticket sales help support the preservation activities of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.
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Rare-Mileage Trip Oct. 27 - SOLD OUT!!
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum will be sponsoring a rare-mileage public fan trip and fundraiser over the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad. You won't want to miss this special trip, one of the first public passenger excursions operated end-to-end over the LA&L in recent memory!
The Route
Once operated as the Erie Railroad's Rochester Division, part of this route was sold to the new Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad in 1964. In 1996, they expanded by acquiring the Avon-Genesee Junction portion, as well as the ex-Lehigh Valley Henrietta branch from Conrail. The railroad has enjoyed continued growth and success, making them one of the busiest short lines in the region! Thanks to the cooperation from the LA&L, we are able to make this special trip possible.
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
Ride in comfort in our reconditioned ex-New York Central stainless steel Budd coaches, hauled by pristine Alco locomotives (to be determined) provided by the LA&L. The train will consist of coaches 2571 (the "Hamilton Fish," New York's 16th governor), 2566, and RPO/power car 5012 (the "Alonzo B. Cornell," New York's 27th governor). Our 1941-built coaches are equipped with working toilets, however due to their vintage construction, they are not wheelchair accessible (We will, of course, make every effort to accommodate folks who require some assistance with boarding. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact us). Please understand that we reserve the right to substitute equipment as dictated by the railroad.
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
The Ride
Parking and boarding will take place at the Conesus Lake Sportsmen's Club campus, located off of Stone Hill Road in Lakeville, New York. This special excursion will depart from Lakeville at 11:00 a.m. and run north to Mortimer Junction (just south of Jefferson Road in Henrietta). The crew will change ends, and the special train will run south and return to Lakeville in the afternoon. Planned photo run-bys will take advantage of the best sun angles possible at various locations along the railroad, with a tentative return time of 5:00 p.m. to Lakeville. A box lunch and a detailed route guide is included as part of the ticket price, and drinks and snacks will be available for purchase on board the train. We are also working on ideas for additional perks and premiums to offer our passengers, so please check back often!
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
Additional Information
We are firming up the excursion schedule and other details with the railroad, and we will post that information as soon as we have it. For those of you traveling from out of town, you have many travel options. By Rail: Amtrak serves Rochester, New York (ROC) with several departures daily. The Amtrak station is approximately 30 miles from Lakeville. By Auto: Lakeville is located just south of Rochester. The I-90 Thruway is the main route through Rochester, and Lakeville is located just off the I-390 expressway. By Air: The Greater Rochester International Airport is served by many commercial carriers offering direct and connecting services from anywhere in the country. The airport is located approximately 28 miles from Lakeville. Lodging: There are many reasonably priced hotel chains located in the Rochester suburb of Henrietta, which is about 18 miles from Lakeville. You are responsible for your own transportation and lodging.
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!
THIS TRIP IS SOLD OUT!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
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Friday Open House at Industry
We will be hosting an Open House at Industry Depot (located at 282 Rush-Scottsville Road in Rush, NY, where Route 251 crosses the LA&L tracks) this Friday, October 26, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Come down to Industry Depot this Friday evening and enjoy some hot apple cider in the agent's office! Tour our displays inside the depot and in the yard. We may also fire up a locomotive! Come on down...
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Monthly Museum Meeting - November 15
Frostbite Ferroequinology: The Sequel with Duncan Richards: "This is a follow up presentation to one featured a bunch of years ago. The railroad themed images will have the common thread of some form of frozen water in each picture. Although there are a few requested "favorites" included, the bulk of the pictures were not shown in the original presentation. Come on out and watch the snow fly on the screen!"
Please join us on Thursday, November 15th, 2012 at the 40&8 Club, 933 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. You do not have to be a member to attend! Doors open at 7:00pm, brief business meeting starts at 7:30, and the program usually begins by 8:15. See you there!
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Work continues through November at the museum
We're always busy through the fall and winter at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum! We welcome anyone interested in volunteering for our museum. We have lots of different things to do for any skill level or skill set. Find out how you can help!
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Dismantling of Charlotte Swing Bridge continues
For more photos, please visit our Facebook page. Like us and add us to your newsfeed!
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Support the R&GVRRM while shopping on Amazon.com
Did you know you can support the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum with every purchase you make this holiday season on Amazon.com? Just start your shopping session by clicking the banner below, and a portion of you purchase will come to the R&GVRRM. It will cost you nothing extra, but it will help us with additional funds to keep our projects moving forward.
Just remember that to help us you must start each of your Amazon.com shopping sessions by clicking on the banner above or by using this link: RGVRRM-Amazon
. Please bookmark this page or bookmark the link ( RGVRRM-Amazon ) and help us each time you shop on Amazon.com.Thank you very much for your support!
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Latest newsletter available - December 2012
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Holiday Open House - Friday, Dec. 14
Come join us for our Holiday Open House at Industry Depot! From 6:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m., enjoy the hospitality of our restored 1909 Erie Railroad passenger depot! Warm up by the stove, enjoy some hot cider and treats, and learn more about our unique railroad museum. All are welcome!
HOW TO FIND US: We're located at 282 Rush-Scottsville Road, Rush, New York 14543; where Route 251 crosses the railroad tracks. You can also RSVP for this event on our Facebook fan page.
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"Vanishing American" B&O steam video available!
The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum is pleased to offer the video, The Vanishing American, available for sale in two different formats: Standard definition DVDs and full 1080 HD Bluray discs. All proceeds from this sale go to benefit the ongoing restoration projects at the museum including the restoration of Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad caboose #280.
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| One of the last B&O passenger trains departs the Rochester station which is featured in the Vanishing American. |
Prices include free shipping!
NOTE: We will make every effort to get your video to you before Christmas, but we can not guarantee holiday delivery after Wednesday, December 19th.
NOTE: We will make every effort to get your video to you before Christmas, but we can not guarantee holiday delivery after Wednesday, December 19th.
Just over sixty years ago, the members of the Kodak Camera Club of the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York decided that the soon to disappear rail passenger service on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (nee Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad) from Rochester to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania would be a subject to record in color on Kodachrome motion picture film in order to preserve the images of that rail operation for posterity. Filmed around 1951 based on the motive power used, the regularly scheduled operation would cease in 1954 although there were NRHS excursions with steam and diesel power from both Rochester and Buffalo to Clearfield and other points.
The images were recorded on 16mm film and were edited to form the Vanishing American. A separate magnetic sound track was recorded and converted to an optical sound track on the Ektachrome release prints made from the original edited Kodachrome 16mm master. The Kodachrome master survives today in near perfect condition having been donated to the R&GVRRM by Kodak over a decade ago, but the Ektachrome release prints have faded markedly. The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad recently partnered with Kodak to digitize at 1080p resolution the Kodachrome master film while the R&GVRRM transferred and re-mastered the soundtrack from the best of several of the Ektachrome prints which were used to make the recent DVD and Bluray releases of the Vanishing American for sale here.
We hope that you'll enjoy this visit to the past as we travel from the Lincoln Park engine terminal to the west side of Rochester and the old Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh passenger depot for the departure of the train south to Machias Junction and Pittsburgh. The high-wheeled B&O Pacific will pull the train through the countryside south of Rochester to Salamanca, and we are along for the ride.
***Interested in carrying the Vanishing American at your railroad museum or store? Please contact us here, and we can provide our wholesale information.
Museum Meeting on Thurday, Dec. 20
features Rochester's lakeside amusement parks
Local historian and museum member Donovan Shilling will be presenting the evening program at our monthly membership meeting, titled "35 Golden Years at Ontario Beach Park." Don will outline the history of Rochester's lakeside amusement park, also including Sea Breeze, Glen Haven, and others. Rochester once had many amusement parks served by trolley and by rail, and Don's presentation features many rare never-before-published photographs.
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The museum store opens at 7:00pm, a brief business meeting takes place at 7:30pm, and the program begins around 8:15pm. This is a FREE event. We meet at the 40 & 8 Club, 933 University Avenue, in Rochester, NY.
***Interested in carrying the Vanishing American at your railroad museum or store? Please contact us here, and we can provide our wholesale information.
Museum Meeting on Thurday, Dec. 20
features Rochester's lakeside amusement parks
Local historian and museum member Donovan Shilling will be presenting the evening program at our monthly membership meeting, titled "35 Golden Years at Ontario Beach Park." Don will outline the history of Rochester's lakeside amusement park, also including Sea Breeze, Glen Haven, and others. Rochester once had many amusement parks served by trolley and by rail, and Don's presentation features many rare never-before-published photographs.
The museum store opens at 7:00pm, a brief business meeting takes place at 7:30pm, and the program begins around 8:15pm. This is a FREE event. We meet at the 40 & 8 Club, 933 University Avenue, in Rochester, NY.
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Museum Meeting Thursday Night- All Are Welcome!
Our January Museum Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 17, at the 40&8 Club at 933 University Avenue in Rochester, New York.
The evening program will be "Lehigh Valley Railroad with Jim Moore." The show will cover not only the LV, but also the New York Central, Baltimore & Ohio and the Erie Lackawanna in the 1950s and 1960s from around the Rochester area.
The museum store opens at 7:00 p.m., a brief business meeting takes place at 7:30 p.m., and the program begins around 8:15 p.m. This is a FREE event. Everyone is welcome! You can RSVP on our Facebook fan page or simply just show up. Bring a friend! Tell a neighbor! Alert the media! Stop the presses! Then start the presses again and come down to our meeting!
The evening program will be "Lehigh Valley Railroad with Jim Moore." The show will cover not only the LV, but also the New York Central, Baltimore & Ohio and the Erie Lackawanna in the 1950s and 1960s from around the Rochester area.
The museum store opens at 7:00 p.m., a brief business meeting takes place at 7:30 p.m., and the program begins around 8:15 p.m. This is a FREE event. Everyone is welcome! You can RSVP on our Facebook fan page or simply just show up. Bring a friend! Tell a neighbor! Alert the media! Stop the presses! Then start the presses again and come down to our meeting!
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