Plymouth BL finishing touches begin

With the mechanical restoration pretty much complete, attention on the Plymouth BL locomotive has turned to its cosmetic restoration and specifically, the fabrication of all of the cab and hood sheet metal. With the metal already purchased, the first installed panel is shown installed on the cab here (middle of the picture) with the next panel on the ground (rear of the engine) awaiting fitting and installation on the other side of the cab. The BL's new instrument gauge panel can also be seen installed along with a temporary numbering sign. The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum has decided to number the Plymouth as its #1.

2007 Track Car Operator Training Schedule

Training for volunteers who wish to be Track Car Operators will commence in March 24 and continue through May 19, 2007. Want to learn more? Join us and find out how you can become a Track Car Operator!

Plymouth BL back under power!

On November 4, 2006, the Rochester & Gensee Valley Railroad Museum saw a major milestone. After 7+ years of mechanical restoration followed by a few days of fine tuning on the Buda FRH engine, the Plymouth Model BL gas-mechanical locomotive moved under its own power inside the Museum's restoration building for the first time in over 40 years. Currently residing on a 33 foot piece of panel track, the trips back and forth were short, but very exciting. Thanks to everyone who put in many hard hours of volunteer work to make this possible! Stay tuned for further developments...

LAL rail train at Industry

As part of a $40 million state-funded program to modernize New York’s rail system, the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville received $1 million for track rehabilitation, including upgrading their entire mainline with welded rail, to increase track speeds from 25 MPH to 50 MPH and handle heavier railcars. LAL Alcos 420 (ex-LIRR) and 425 (ex-New Haven) lead a rail train dropping new welded rail just south of the museum.

LAL road train outlaws at Industry

Due to a change in traffic patterns at CSX, the railroad's class I interchange partner, the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville has found itself with more work and more cars than usual. These changes caught up with them when the crew ran out of time to get back to Lakeville with a huge road train this day. The crew parked their train opposite our Indsutry depot and were taxied home. A new, rested crew would return the next day to bring the train back to Lakeville.

Our fleet of Army pickup trucks

The Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum recently purchased a few second-hand former Army pickup trucks for utility use around our property.

New Tool Car stairs installed

Volunteers have built a new stairway into the Tool Car at Industry Yard. This former B&O baggage car serves as much needed workbench space and tool storage for our volunteer efforts around the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.

New frog and ties for Switch 4

Work is well underway on installing a new frog and switch timbers on Switch 4 in Industry Yard. Rebuilding this important connection is a priority for our museum volunteers.

Engine work continues on RG&E 1941

Volunteers Joe Nugent, Luther Brefo, and Mike Roqué prepare to reinstall the cylinder heads on the #1 prime mover on GE 45-ton locomotive RG&E 1941. This locomotive is currently undergoing a multi-year restoration and rebuilt by our volunteers. It was donated to the Museum by Rochester Gas & Electric in 1991. Photo by Mike Roqué