Latest newsletter available - June 2012

Interested in learning more about what is going on at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum?   Please read the June 2012 issue of our newsletter, The Semaphore, online in PDF.    If you would like to read more, please check out our online newsletter archive.  We now have fifteen previous years currently available!

2012 Special Events Calendar

“Railroad Day" Sunday, June 17
Special Event admission prices apply.
The museums let visitors get “up close and personal” with the exciting world of railroading. Find out how to couple train cars together, learn what makes a diesel locomotive go, take a turn at the Morse Code ticker in the 100-year-old country station, and discover the rich railroading history of our region. Caboose rides will provide the connection from the trolley to the R&GVRRM.

"Trolleys at Twilight” Saturday, July 21 (4:00 PM to 10:00 PM)
Special Event admission prices apply.
The New York Museum of Transportation recreates an evening at an old-time “trolley park,” complete with refreshing ice cream and the happy sound of the calliope wafting across the beautiful Genesee valley countryside. A diesel locomotive with two cabooses will meet the trolley for the continuation to the R&GVRRM.

"Diesel Day” Sunday, August 19
Special Event admission prices apply.
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 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M.

“Fall Foliage by Trolley & Train”
Sundays, September 16, 23 & 30
Sunday, October 7, 14, 21 & 28 & November 4

Special Event admission prices apply.
Enjoy the beauty of Autumn in western New York State from the window of an authentic 80-year-old electric trolley car. A diesel locomotive with two cabooses will meet the trolley each day for the continuation to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Trolleys depart every half-hour starting at 11:30, and no reservations are required.

Joint Museum Train Ride Season Ends
Sunday, November 4

Rides between the two museums 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”
November 24-25
December 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16
Saturdays & Sundays

Santa may still use reindeer power, but museum visitors can enjoy a ride on an authentic 80 year-old electric 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.

Weekday Group Tours
Consider bringing your club, scout group, or school class for a group visit at the museums. Tours can be customized for any comprehension level and time constraint. By appointment only. (585) 533-1113

Birthdays & Special Occasions
A visit to our museums is a great way to celebrate a birthday or other special time, from toddlers to old timers! The party goers can enjoy their goodies seated in a ninety-year-old trolley car, then take a ride on our museum railroad. You provide the party, and we provide the fun. Be sure to call a few weeks in advance to work out the details. (585) 533-1113.

The museums reserve the right to substitute equipment, modify or cancel any special event without prior notification.

Season opens successfully!

With perfect weather, the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum and its partner, the New York Museum of Transportation, opened our joint operations ride season on Sunday, May 20, 2012.   The museums will now be open and operating together every Sunday through the end of October 2012.   We hope you will come on out for a visit.  

R&GVRR GE 80-ton diesel locomotive shoves Erie Railroad caboose #C254 and Penn Central Railroad caboose #18526 toward the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum on Sunday, May 20, 2012
Have a group and would like a weekday tour of the museums with or without a ride?    We do those as well.   Looking for a great place to have your child's birthday party?    We do that to.   Please contact our partner, the New York Museum of Transportation, here or give them a call at (585) 533-1113 to set your tour or party up.

Here are a few more photos from opening day.   Again, we hope to see you soon.