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Long Island Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Long Island

The Railroad Museum of Long Island explores the history of the railroads on Long Island and how it contributed to the growth of Long Island. It is 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". Established in 1990, there are two locations on Long Island that make it fun to learn about the Long Island railroad. One location is in Riverhead at the east end of Long Island just before it splits into the two forks, and the other location is in Greenport on the North Fork.

The location in Riverhead is located on the site of a former lumber yard opposite the Riverhead Long Island Rail Road station. Here you will find the restoration of the museum rolling stock with a visitors center with displays and a gift shop.

The Greenport site is found in a former Long Island Rail Road Freight house on the Long Island railroad that was restored into a museum. There is a permanent exhibit of railroad artifacts with other exhibits that change regularly.

Full Steam Ahead into History

The Long Island railroad was important for many of the modern transportation systems we use today, especially in the New York area. For example, it was responsible for many innovations to the Long Island railroad system, including:

  • The first steam locomotive to use a steam whistle.
  • The first "piggy-back" service.
  • The only road to cross a prairie along the eastern seaboard.
  • The first hub and spoke system, which is used by many airlines today.
  • The first railroad to have an all steel-car fleet.
  • The first aluminum car.
  • The oldest continuously running railroad operating under its original charter and name.
  • The largest and busiest commuter railroad in the world.

Riverhead

The Riverhead site's collection includes steam engine #39, Diesel engine #1556, Porter engine #1, and 8 other vintage railroad cars. To get to the restoration site by car from the western part of Long Island, take the Long Island Expressway eastbound to Exit 72, NYS Route 25 East (Main Street). Follow Route 25 for about three miles. Turn left onto Griffing Avenue and continue for two blocks. The museum is on the right just over the railroad tracks. To get to the museum from the North Fork, take NYS Route 25 through downtown Riverhead. Turn right onto Griffing Avenue and proceed for two blocks. The museum is on the right just over the railroad tracks. You can also take a train between the two locations.

Greenport

This location is dedicated to preserving and displaying Long Island railroad history and educating the public. To get to the museum by car, take the Long Island Expressway to the last exit, Exit 73, County Route 58 east. This route is also known as Old Country Road. Take this road east to the intersection at NYS Route 25. Take route 25 east. Route 25 is also known an Main Road. Follow Route 25 east until you get to Greenport. Greenport is approximately 23 miles east of the end of the Long Island Expressway. Main Road becomes Front Street in Greenport. Make a right turn onto 4th Street and go two blocks to the railroad tracks. The museum will be on the left. You can also take a train between the two locations.
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