Created in 1990, our Mission continues to this day: “Dedicated to the restoration, preservation and interpretation of the history and artifacts pertaining to the railroads which participated in the growth of Long Island, its communities and industries for the entertainment, edification, and good of present and future generations.”
The Museum maintains facilities at Greenport, L.I., N.Y. and Rive
rhead, L.I., N.Y. and is officially recognized by the New York State Education Department. The RMLI serves primarily the communities of Suffolk County. Our visitors and patrons also come to us from Nassau County, New York City, from across the United States and throughout the World! The RMLI established itself at Greenport in the historic 1892 freight house of the Long Island Rail Road. “Greenport, (the Eastern terminal of the Long Island Rail Road mainline from Brooklyn since 1844), was the reason for the LIRR.” The approximately 3.4 acres that make up “the yard,” including the passenger station, railroad dock, turntable and the Museum, appear on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. The Museum building has been lovingly restored by our members and volunteers and displays the Museum’s permanent collection of railroad artifacts as well as being host to annually changing exhibits. The RMLI’s Restoration Site & Visitor’s Center is located on the historic property of the Corwin & Vail Lumber Company and also occupies land that made up the Long Island Rail Road “Riverhead Yard.” Riverhead, the County Seat of Suffolk County, is at the apex of the North and South Forks of Long Island. Here is where we maintain and exhibit our collection of historic rail cars and locomotives and invite our visitors to “be interactive” with our Museum. You can ride the Long Island Rail Road miniature park train from the 1964 – 1965 New York World’s Fair, climb inside a 1960’s LIRR caboose, activate the fifty-seven accessories on the Historic Lionel Layout and watch scale model trains operate on two indoor train layouts and one outside garden railway. Although the Museum does not operate an excursion train ride, we are located on the Long Island Rail Road mainline and we encourage our visitors to travel between our two museum sites on the LIRR “Greenport Scoot” on weekends, once each day, from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Step back in history on your ride through the North Fork. Experience a Long Island steeped in agriculture with farm views from your coach window reminiscent of the 1930’s and 40’s. Tickets are available from your conductor on the train. Click on our “Visiting Us” link on our website for details. Now, roam through our website. See who we are, where we’ve been and what we are doing. Please “experience Long Island railroading” with a visit to our all-volunteer Museum on a Saturday or Sunday between Memorial Day and Columbus Day weekends, bring the entire family! Please follow us on Facebook and visit this sight frequently for Museum news and updates. (Extended Saturday openings: the first Saturday of April through the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Closed for the season from Thanksgiving through March. Special Holiday Open Houses the first and second weekends of December.)
