Volunteer Open House
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
The museum will be hosting an open house for prospective volunteers as part of National Train Day, Saturday May 9th. A schedule of activities is planned from 10:00 am to approximately 12:30 pm.
Reservations for this event are recommended. Please contact us if you are interested in attending.
This event is a great way to get an inside look at the many different ways that potential volunteers can participate in museum activities. There are hands-on opportunities ranging from railroad equipment restoration, railroad operations, and operating/maintaining the museum's construction equipment. We are also looking for people to help with creative services such as graphic design, marketing and publicity, exhibit creation, and historical research.
The volunteer open house will start at our Industry depot with bagels and coffee. We will then tour the depot, museum exhibits, railroad equipment, restoration facilities and projects, and our collection of historic construction equipment. Our construction equipment is used by our volunteers to maintain and expand our railroad right of way, facilities, and to aid in various restoration projects.
After touring the facilities and equipment at the Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad museum, we will board a train operated by our volunteers and powered by one of the museum's diesel locomotives. We will travel along our railroad where we will transfer to an electric trolley from the collection of the New York Museum of Transportation. The trolley will take us to the NYMT where we will tour that museum's facilities and exhibits.
After a noontime return trolley and diesel train trip to the Industry depot, we will conclude the open house with lunch provided by the museum.
Trolleys and Diesels Open the Ride Season
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
With the recent extension of the museum trolley line, visitors now can enjoy a unique ride experience with a 2-mile round trip interurban trolley excursion that connects to a diesel train on this special day. The combined ride links the New York Museum of Transportation with the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum's country depot and railroad equipment collection. The trolley portion of the ride is the only such operation in New York State, and the diesel train ride adds a special thrill for railfans young and old. The diesel connection will operate on special event days this summer. On other Sundays, authentic track cars that once served "gandy dancers" connect with the trolley. No reservations needed. Two museums and a ride between them...unique in the U.S.!
Despatch Shops Revisited
Sunday, June 21st, 2009
The museums celebrate the history of the East Rochester Despatch Car Shops and the Merchants Despatch Transportation Corporation with rides on restored Penn Central transfer caboose 18526. The caboose was built at the Despatch Car Shops and is now celebrating its 40th birthday. Caboose rides will take place all day, and MDT refrigerator car 14053, full of photographs and other displays on the Car Shops, will be open for tours. As a special bonus, residents of East Rochester get $1.00 off of their museum admission. Special Event admission prices apply.
Trolley Time
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
Celebrate the history of electric streetcars and interurban trolleys. Learn how a trolley works and tour the museum substation. Discover trolley energy efficiency over other modes of transportation. Find out about bringing back rail rapid transit to Rochester. Take a look at restoration work on century-old Rochester trolleys. The museums' 2-mile trolley ride will be operating every half-hour throughout the day...the only trolley ride in New York State! Special Event admission prices apply.
Railfan Day
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
The R&GVRRM will be hosting its first annual Railfan Day, featuring an interesting variety of rare vintage diesels, track cars, and depot settings. Our operating museum includes examples from Fairbanks-Morse, Alco, and General Electric. A number of set-ups and run-bys are planned, including a night photo session, plus cookout dinner for attendees. Details TBA. Tickets are $50 for the day session, $75 for both the day and night session. Both options include cookout dinner for all attendees. Many affordable lodging and shopping opportunities nearby. Register online or contact railfanday09@rgvrrm.org or (585) 820-2341. We accept Paypal, check, or money order.
Diesel Days
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009
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 and Special Event admission prices apply.
Trolleys and Diesels Close the Ride Season
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Train, trolley, and track car rides 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 (NYMT)
Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
Santa may still use reindeer power, but New York Museum of Transportation visitors can enjoy a ride on an authentic 80 year-old 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.
Holly Trolley Rides (NYMT)
Saturday, December 12th, 2009
Sunday, December 13th, 2009
Santa may still use reindeer power, but New York Museum of Transportation visitors can enjoy a ride on an authentic 80 year-old 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.
Holly Trolley Rides (NYMT)
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Santa may still use reindeer power, but New York Museum of Transportation visitors can enjoy a ride on an authentic 80 year-old 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.
*The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum and the New York Museum of Transportation reserve the right to substitute equipment, modify, or cancel any special event without prior notification.
