Railroad Museum of Long Island

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Riverhead, NY
Railroad Museum of Long Island

Established in 1990, the Railroad Museum of Long Island is dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and interpretation the railroads on Long Island.
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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.)

09/02/2026

🚂HEAD TO HEAD!🚂

We are THRILLED to invite YOU, to join us at the Williams Grove Historic Steam Engine Association THIS Thursday-Sunday (Sept. 3rd-6th) for FOUR WHOLE DAYS of fun; alongside our good friends at the Williams Grove Railroad! We have been graciously invited by Josh Ozio, and the team behind the ONLY OPERATIONAL PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE (PRR #643); to join in on the fun at their FALL STEAM SHOW!

Our team is excited to announce that not only will we be doing our promotional “BLOW THE WHISTLE FOR LIRR #39” event (where for a donation of $5 YOU can blow LIRR #39’s Pennsy 3-chime whistle, using the STEAM of PRR #643), we will be pulling out ALL the stops; and will be offering a vast assortment of other opportunities to support the project!

🎪Under The BIG TENT Beside The WGRR Station Will Be🎪

🚂 Our FULL Steam Up LIRR #39 Display (Including Our 45lb Bronze #39 Keystone)

🧢 Our Promotional Steam Up LIRR #39 Merch

🦆 Games For The Kids (WITH PRIZES)

🍪 A Promotional BAKE SALE
(Grab A Snack AND Support Steam Preservation)

🛤️ OPERATING Model Trains

🖍️ HOMEMADE Train Crayons Given As A Premium For Donations (ON-SITE) Of $5 Or More

We truly appreciate the friendship of the Williams Grove Railroad, and their support for our ongoing efforts to restore Long Island Rail Road #39 to OPERATION! We are looking forward to a GREAT 4 days at their Fall Steam Show and GREATLY RECOMMEND you check it out for yourselves! There is PLENTY to do on the grounds for EVERYONE, and we are excited to be a part of it!

If You Are Unable To Attend But Still Want To Support The OPERATIONAL RESTORATION Of A Pennsylvania Railroad Built STEAM LEGEND, Please Consider Making A Tax-Deductible Donation Today Online At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!❤️

08/31/2026

08/29/2026

📰HEAD ON OVER TO RAILROAD FESTIVAL!🗞️

We wanted to both THANK the “Suffolk Times” and HIGHLIGHT their recent publication about the Railroad Museum of Long Island’s “RIVERHEAD RAILROAD FESTIVAL” that is occurring NOW, and throughout the weekend! We appreciate this article, and the support for this MOMENTOUS EVENT, where we are not only celebrating Long Island’s RICH RAILROADING HISTORY; but 250 years of America!🇺🇸

Be sure to head on over to the Railroad Museum of Long Island TODAY (or tomorrow) to join in on the celebration! Riverhead Railroad Festival goes from 10am-4pm August 29-30th, and includes all the attractions the museum offers AND MORE!!!

We will also be pulling our WINNING RAFFLE TICKETS for our summer STEAM UP LIRR #39 raffle on Sunday at 3:00pm AT THE EVENT! THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE to enter to win!

🏆 AN HO MODEL KIT OF G5s LIRR #39
🥇 A STEAM UP LIRR #39 BACHMAN HO BOXCAR
🥈OUR NEW RMLI/STRASBURG LIRR #39 HAT
🥉OUR RMLI LIRR #39 WOODEN TRAIN WHISTLE

CHANCES COST ONLY $5 EACH, And Can Be Purchased Online At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT LIRR #39’s RESTORATION!🔧

08/25/2026

🚂Come Out To See LIRR #39!👀

With the Railroad Museum of Long Island’s Riverhead Railroad Festival RAPIDLY approaching us, we thought it was a PERFECT opportunity to reflect on work done on Long Island Rail Road #39’s components in the RIVERHEAD YARD; and INVITE YOU to come see it for yourself!

⭐️THIS WEEKEND (Aug. 29-30th - 10am-4pm)⭐️

Back in late April over TWENTY RMLI VOLUNTEERS came together with one goal in mind, to repaint what we could of #39 as she awaits her FINAL REASSEMBLY once a full $1.5 million is raised; and her parts shipped off to the skilled Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical shops.

🚨DONATE TODAY TO STEAM UP LIRR #39!🚨
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!🚂

Over a span of 3 days the locomotive’s frame, 68” drivers, front truck, and 10,000 gallon tender were sanded, primed, and fully repainted into her “as built” color of Pennsylvania Railroad D.G.L.E. (Dark Green Locomotive Enamel). It was a collective labor of love for the engine that means so much to many of us; and while we can’t go starting the FULL PROCESS of her rebuild, this will help preserve those components from the elements (until her time comes for reassembly). We NEED your help to see this historically IMPORTANT steam locomotive RESTORED TO OPERATION, and ask that you would join us on this journey!

08/18/2026

🚨RIVERHEAD RAILROAD FESTIVAL 2026!🚨

🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDARS for our annual Riverhead Railroad Festival is ALMOST HERE!!! Thanks to the efforts of the Railroad Museum of Long Island and Suffolk County, we are excited to celebrate the 30TH ANNIVERSARY of the opening of our museum in 1996!

🚂 This year’s Railroad Festival will take place:
Saturday-Sunday August 29-30th (10am-4pm)
At the Railroad Museum of Long Island in Riverhead, New York.

STAY TUNED for more exciting details… including a (potential) SPECIAL GUEST that is sure to excite many! There will also be multiple opportunities to support the ongoing Steam Up LIRR #39 project, to see the FIRST EVER Long Island Rail Road steam locomotive RETURN TO OPERATION!

⭐️ YOU can help make this happen TODAY by donating online at: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂THANK YOU, we hope to see you there!❤️

08/03/2026

🚂BLOW LIRR #39’s WHISTLE!💨

🚂 We are pleased to announce a SPECIAL “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” FUNDRAISER, to help raise much needed funds for the Steam Up LIRR #39 project! This coming Labor Day Weekend (Sept 5-6th) at the Williams Grove Historic Steam Engine Association, YOU CAN BLOW Long Island Rail Road #39’s Pennsy 3-Chime WHISTLE! Thanks to our friends at the Williams Grove Railroad, LIRR #39’s whistle will be installed on their PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD #643 for the duration of that weekend.

🚨HERE’S THE EXCITING PART!🚨
For a donation of $5 to the Steam Up LIRR #39 project, YOU will be invited UP INTO THE CAB of the ONLY OPERATIONAL Pennsylvania Railroad steam locomotive; and be allowed to BLOW THE WHISTLE (during water stops, and between trips when possible). This is YOUR chance to not only be in the cab of the PRR #643, but to sound the whistle of LIRR #39 (an opportunity we cannot promise will be available again anytime soon)! So MARK YOUR CALENDARS, and drive on out to the Williams Grove Historic Steam Engine Association, to take place in not just this EXCITING opportunity, but to see EVERYTHING the WGHSEA has to offer for their Fall Steam Show!

🚂 We will be on site at the Williams Grove Railroad September 3rd - 6th (with the WHISTLE EVENT taking place on Sat-Sun 5-6th) and will also have MULTIPLE FUNDRAISERS going on during our stay (as well as an assortment of LIRR #39 Merchandise) down by the NEWLY REFURBISHED railroad station. So please be sure to plan on being there to partake in the event; AND as always please consider SUPPORTING THE PROJECT at:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂THANK YOU!!!❤️

🚂 We are VERY GRATEFUL to our good friends at the Williams Grove Railroad, for their support for Long Island Rail Road #39 and her FULL OPERATIONAL RESTORATION! If you have never been out to see the Pennsylvania Railroad #643 you truly are missing out, and we 100% recommend giving them a visit (not just for our event this Labor Day Weekend, but for ANY of their events)!

07/30/2026

🚨ONE MONTH LEFT!🚨

⏳ There is ONE MONTH left till our LIRR #39 Summer Raffle drawing on Sunday August 30th, (following the conclusion of our RIVERHEAD RAILROAD FESTIVAL WEEKEND); so if you have yet to enter… THE CLOCK IS TICKING!

🎟️ For $5 a ticket (or 5 for $20), YOU will not only be entered to win the GRAND PRIZE of a Roundhouse Products G5 Model Kit of LIRR #39 (among other exclusive prizes); you ALSO will be supporting the RESTORATION OF THE ACTUAL LOCOMOTIVE at the same time! Tickets can be purchased IN PERSON at the Railroad Museum of Long Island (and will be available during our RMLI RAILROAD FESTIVAL), or ONLINE at:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed

🏆OUR FOUR PRIZES INCLUDE!🏆

🥇 An HO Scale G5 Model Kit
🥈 OUR EXCLUSIVE LIRR #39 HO Boxcar
🥉 OUR NEW LIRR #39 Hat
🎖️ A Wooden RMLI LIRR #39 Whistle

🚂 Every ticket purchased brings us CLOSER to a FULLY RESTORED and OPERATIONAL Long Island Rail Road #39; that EVERYONE can enjoy! We truly cannot begin to say how appreciative we are of ALL of our supporters, because it is YOU who are making this HISTORICAL PROJECT happen!

🚂THANK YOU!!!❤️

07/17/2026

🚂LIRR #39, The Wartime Years!🇺🇸

Long Island Rail Road #39 was built at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Juniata Shops (in Altoona Pennsylvania) in 1929, and served Long Island faithfully through thick and thin; until her eventual retirement in 1955. As all of you should know the world was thrown into the Second World War in 1939, with the United States entering the war in December of 1941.

Even though this conflict was fought overseas, Americans at home saw a drastic change in their every day lives. Long Island specifically became a center of wartime production; with thousands of workers commuting daily to aircraft factories, shipyards, and military installations. Enlisted personnel heading to and from training camps such as our very own Suffolk County’s Camp Upton, where the US Army trained infantry; depended on the Long Island Rail Road for their transportation. LIRR #39 (and her G5 sisters) worked tirelessly, to pull crowded passenger trains filled with men and women contributing to the Allied’s war effort; overtop of the locomotive’s normal commuter duties.

Stay tuned for more EXCITING HISTORY coming soon, in the next installment in a series of posts about the Long Island Rail Road and #39’s service during that conflict. As we continue to restore LIRR #39 today, we are preserving MORE than just a steam locomotive! We are actively preserving a LIVING and TANGIBLE connection to the “Greatest Generation”; who answered their nations call to action, during the Second World War! In honor of THAT LEGACY, we continue to persevere in our MISSION of RESTORING LIRR #39 to OPERATION; and ask that YOU would please consider DONATING towards that TODAY!!!

Tax-Deductible Contributions Can Be Made Online At: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed

Learn More About Our Mission To Bring This Historic Steam Locomotive Back Into Steam At:
http://steamup39.org
🚂THANK YOU EVERYONE!🇺🇸

Address

416 Griffing Avenue
Riverhead, NY
11901

Opening Hours

10am - 4pm

Telephone

(631) 727-7920

Website

http://www.rmli.org/

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