Railroad Museum of Long Island

The Railroad Museum of Long Island known. also as RMLI, (pronounced RimLee) was created in 1990, and their mission statement sums up their service to the world of model trains: “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 itself maintains facilities at Greenport, L.I., N.Y. and Riverhead, L.I., N.Y. and is officially recognized by the New York State Education Department. The RMLI serves primarily the communities of Suffolk County, yet visitors and patrons also come to us from Nassau County, New York City, and even from spots around the United States and from around the globe!

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 RMLI members and volunteers, and now displays the Museum’s permanent collection of railroad artifacts. It also hosts wonderful 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.. That's the primary location that RMLI maintains and exhibit their collection of historic rail cars and locomotives and invites their visitors to “be interactive” with the 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, they are located on the Long Island Rail Road mainline and encourage visitors to travel between their two museum sites on the LIRR “Greenport Scoot” on weekends, once each day, from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. It's easy to 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 1930s and '40s. Tickets are available from your conductor on the train.

You can “experience Long Island railroading” with a visit to RMLI's all-volunteer Museum on any Saturday or Sunday between Memorial Day and Columbus Day weekends, and there's no reason not to bring the entire family! Please visit their web site at www.rmli.us for Museum news and updates.

Fundraising Campaign for LIRR G5s Locomotive #39

Additionlly, the Railroad Museum began $1 Million Fundraising Campaign to Restore and Operate LIRR G5s Locomotive #39. Mr. Linn Moedinger, President of the Strasburg Rail Road Company, Railroad Museum of Long Island President, Don Fisher and Vice President and Counsel Dennis DeAngelis, signed an agreement to restore and operate the LIRR G5s Steam Locomotive #39. RMLI’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 to partner with the Strasburg Rail Road Company. The agreement culminates five and one half months of talks and negotiations between the two principals.

Terms of the contract provide for the Railroad Museum of Long Island to raise $900,000.00 in FY 2013 and transport the G5s locomotive to the Strasburg property, the Strasburg Rail Road will add $1,086,861.00 to the project, complete restoration of the steam engine in three years and then operate the locomotive on their property for a period of forty-eight years.

Fisher stated that “this partnership is the best way to get the locomotive restored and into operation. After thirty three-years of trying, New Yorkers and others living in the Pennsylvania Railroad region may finally ride behind this historic steam engine. We need to complete this project with a grass- roots effort. I believe the interest and support for restoring this locomotive will be there.”

The Railroad Museum of Long Island officially begins efforts to raise $1 Million for the move and restoration of the locomotive today. Tax-deductible donations may be made to “RMLI Engine 39” at P.O. Box 726, Greenport NY 11944-0726.

The press release can be viewed at http://www.jameswerner.net/rmli/Press_Release_3-15-13.pdf