Hojack Swing Bridge exhibit opens at NYMT


Our partner operation New York Museum of Transportation is excited to announce the opening of a new permanent exhibit. A re-creation of the control cabin of the Hojack Swing Bridge contains the original steam engine, control devices, and an operating model of the bridge.

New York Museum of Transportation, located in the town of Rush, near Rochester, NY, is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit honoring the history of the Hojack Swing Bridge.  The exhibit contains the original steam engine, control devices, a working model of the bridge and explanatory labels about the bridge, its builder and the railroads that used it to cross the Genesee River.

Built in 1905 by the King Bridge Company, the bridge originally carried trains of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad.  It was designed to rotate 90 degrees when required to permit passage of river traffic.  Power for the rotation was provided by a steam engine located in a control cabin atop the 304-foot long bridge.  This engine, a product of the Lidgerwood Manufacturing Company, had two cylinders and was rated at 50 horsepower.  The engine is now a main feature of the museum’s exhibit.

When the bridge was no longer needed for rail service, U.S. Coast Guard regulations required its removal.  CSX Transportation Company, owner of the bridge, generously offered to salvage the steam engine and related control devices provided they be used in an exhibit to preserve the bridge’s history.  A grant was provided by the railroad in support of such an exhibit, and a proposal by the New York Museum of Transportation was selected.

The museum’s exhibit design recreates the interior of the control cabin.  The steam engine and control devices are on display with explanatory texts.  Also included is a scale model of the bridge which visitors can operate to align it for the miniature railroad or to clear boat traffic on the river.  Two windows looking out over the Genesee River add dimension and an extra note of realism to the exhibit.  The entire exhibit was constructed by museum volunteers.

The New York Museum of Transporation is open Sundays year-round. For more information, you can visit the NYMT's web site.

Join us for a special fantrip to the Arcade & Attica on June 7!


 Our private motorcoach departs from R&GVRRM's Industry Depot on June 7 at 10:00 a.m. At Arcade, we will ride in a reserved coach behind steam on the Arcade & Attica Railroad. Bring your own lunch, or charbroiled hot dogs and cold pop can be purchased extra during the stop at Curriers station. Upon our return to Arcade, we'll get a special behind the scenes shop tour following the train ride. We once again board our private motorcoach and travel to the Lumberyard Restaurant in Perry to enjoy a special prime rib dinner. Our private motorcoach will return us to Industry at about 7:00 p.m.

All-Inclusive Tickets are $75.00 per person, and can be purchased instantly through PayPal by following this link. You can also purchase tickets by mail payable by check or money order to R&GV RAILROAD MUSEUM, P.O. Box 23326, Rochester, NY 14692-3326. We cannot accept ticket orders after May 8, so please reserve your spot early!

April Meeting - "Newfoundland Railway, 1969"


 On Thursday, April 17, 2014, NYMT’s Jim Dierks will present, “Newfoundland Railroads in 1969.” Jim took a ride on the narrow gauge coach-and-sleeper (and two dining cars) “Newfie Bullet”(the nickname for the Newfoundland Railway’s Caribou passenger train) across Newfoundland in 1969, as it was due to be discontinued that June. Jim’s slide show covers the trip from Montreal, to Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, across Newfoundland, and back via Quebec’s GaspĂ© Peninsula. The show also includes a cab ride on the passenger train as well as a caboose ride on a freight train, several car ferries, and more.

We meet at the 40 & 8 Club located at 933 University Avenue, Rochester, NY. The museum store opens at 7:00pm, a brief business meeting takes place at 7:30pm, and the program begins around 8:15pm. Cash bar available. Our meetings are FREE to attend and open to everyone, so please bring a friend and join the fun!