Volunteers at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum actively acquire, restore and preserve New York’s largest collection of historic railroad equipment.
Things to know before you go!
Themed Events at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Train rides are not available during the 2020 pandemic.
Spend a day riding the train during special events April through December and checking out their Rochester-centric collection!
Each excursion features a different theme and combination of equipment so it’s a slightly different experience every time. Themes include Wine & Beer tastings, Father’s Day, Steam Trains, Pumpkin Patch, Trick or Treat, and Santa Train Rides to the North Pole.
Erie Railroad Industry Depot
Enter through the restored 1930’s depot to purchase your timed train ticket, with departures every half-hour. Once on board you can ride up to the restoration shop and back to the depot as many times as you’d like.
For an additional $5.00 donation, patrons ages 4 and up can ride round-trip with the engineer in the locomotive!
Enjoy a 1.5 mile train ride
To fully experience the train museum, give yourself at least an hour for riding the train, wandering the yard, and exploring the exhibits. You can sit and relax, or stand at the back of the caboose for an open-air view.
Otto Vondrak, President of the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, showed me some of the pieces the museum members and volunteers are most excited about.
40+ pieces of historic railroad equipment in its collection
Everything is authentically restored by a passionate group of 200+ volunteers. Admission to the museum goes directly to the historic preservation of trains on site, and the procurement of new equipment.
There are diesel-electric and steam locomotives, cabooses, snowplows, trolleys, signs, switches, signals, and other machines around the property currently undergoing restoration, or patiently awaiting their turn.
Rochester Subway Car 60
Rochester Genesee Valley Train Museum is home to the only remaining trolley car from the Rochester Subway, which ceased operation in 1956. It was recently re-acquired and volunteers are currently restoring it to its original 1916 condition. The ultimate goal is to have it fully operational to transport passengers through the museum campus.
Check out FUA Krew’s rendition of Subway Car 60 at the Memorial Art Gallery!
Other museum pieces & exhibits
More information about Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Visit Rochester Train Rides for ticket information
Located in Rush, roughly 20 minutes / 18 miles from Rochester (get directions)
More information: rgvrrm.org
Are you a train enthusiast? Become a member or volunteer your time and talent!
Rochester Railfans: Trains, Depots, Rail-Trails, Models, & Clubs
Rochester railfans are incredibly lucky that passionate preservationists before us saw the value in retaining structures we can still appreciate today.
Diners were modular–manufactured in one place and moved by rail to the final location. They were designed to look like a train’s fine dining car.
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When is your favorite time of year to visit the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!