This article was scraped from Rochester Subway. This is a blog about Rochester history and urbanism has not been published since 2017. The current owners are now publishing link spam which made me want to preserve this history.. The original article was published May 17, 2009 and can be found here.
If you're visiting Rochester, or you and the kids are looking for something to do this weekend, the New York Museum of Transportation should be at the very top of your "to-do" list. The NYMT, located just off the New York State Thruway and I-390 in Rush, NY, focuses on not only the State of New York's rail history but also its transportation history in general as well. Its exhibits range from railroading equipment and trolley cars to historic vehicles and carriages. Jim Dierks, a member of the NYMT Board of Trustees, tells us the museum also boasts plenty of Rochester Subway artifacts. "...not the least of which is the Casey Jones speeder... the only surviving piece of Subway rolling stock that is in operating condition. We also have models, station signs, and a video that operates continuously in our gallery." Dierks adds, "We also operate a mile-long electrified interurban trolley line...the only trolley operation in New York State."
The New York Museum of Transportation is open year-round. But now is when the rails really heat up. Between May and October you can catch a trolley ride to the nearby Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum--just under two miles away. The R&GVRRM operates in partnership with the NYMT. The two museums are independent groups and each museum is located at either end of a shared two mile demonstration railroad.
Along with track car rides the museum also offers rides on two restored trolley cars originally owned by the Philadelphia & Western Railroad. These trips cover about 2-miles (round trip) and can be taken as many times as you would like during your visit.
The museum is home to two ex-Rochester Railway Company interurban cars, an ex-New York State Railways interurban car, a gasoline-powered Plymouth locomotive, a Whiting trackmobile, an ex-Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company snow sweeper, an ex-Northern Texas Traction Company interurban car, an ex-Elmira, Corning & Waverly Railway interurban car, a former Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad caboose, several various rail "speeders" and on and on and on. Find more information on their railroad equipment .
The NYMT opened in the early 1970's. It's primary goal was to preserve old Rochester interurbans after a museum in Pennsylvania which had been home to the equipment closed its doors. Run by volunteers, the museum slowly grew its collection and was able to acquire unused rails and ties from the former Rochester Subway system to use on the grounds. By 1993 the museum had completed a small two-mile stretch of track connecting it with the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Don't miss this incredible destination this season. And if you go, be sure to leave a comment here and tell us about your trip!
