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The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum (OBRM) is a non-profit organization located in Oyster Bay, NY at 1 Railroad Avenue.

History[]

The museum was founded in 1990 as the Friends of Locomotive 35. The name would be changed in 2006 to Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, as it better fit their mission of preservation.

Facilities[]

The OBRM has two facilities that are within walking distance of each other. One is the historic station, which was used by Theodore Roosevelt during his presidency. The other is a display yard that includes an active turntable.

Visitor Center[]

The museum didn't always use the Oyster Bay station. It was under restoration from the OBRM's opening to 2021. Until then a visitor center was used. The visitor center was located near the station and housed many of the exhibits that the station has today. It opened in 2008.

Station[]

The Oyster Bay Station is a historical landmark that currently houses displays for the OBRM. This includes the bell from LIRR Locomotive #35, the headlight from PRR Locomotive #5406, the rescued banner from the Sunrise Special passenger train, and many photographs of the station during its old days. There's also a small O-Gauge layout and an HO-Gauge diorama of the Oyster Bay Yard during the age of steam.

Display Yard[]

The OBRM's display yard contains most of its collection. In 2024, the display yard had two LIRR GE "Dinky" Switchers, an operational turntable, and various other pieces of rail equipment. The most notable is the aforementioned LIRR G5s Locomotive #35, a 4-6-0 "Ten-Wheeler" steam locomotive.

Turntable[]

The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum has the only operational turntable available to the public on Long Island. Originally built to replace a smaller one that was brought in from the Locust Valley station, the turntable sat dormant in the early years of the museum, only receiving a cosmetic makeover in 2011. In 2019, however, a restoration to operation attempt began and succeeded. The museum now offers turntable rides.

2022 Rearrangement[]

IMG 3429-1-

LIRR #397 & 398 after being moved to the rim of the turntable.

In June 2022, the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum rearranged its display yard. This had significance because it allowed active trains to use the turntable once again. It also allowed the museum to begin shifting into its final phase. First three new tracks were constructed around the rim of the turntable. Then LIRR GE 25-Ton Diesel #397 was moved to the track farthest from the entrance. LIRR GE 25-Ton Diesel #398 was moved to the second farthest, and LIRR Caboose #12 was moved behind it on the same track. The track closest to the entrance (track 3) is planned to become the home of LIRR Locomotive #35 in the future.

Locomotive #35[]

The centerpiece of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum is LIRR G5s Locomotive #35. It is currently being cosmetically restored by the OBRM cosmetically and will be displayed on Track 3. Originally the museum intended to restore the locomotive to operation, but problems caused that to fall through. Instead the roller bearings will be restored by Next Generation Rail Solutions, this will allow the locomotive to be towed and moved around and put back together. Parts for #35 were shipped out to Kentucky in October 2024.

Future Plans[]

The museum’s future plans include the construction of two additional tracks spurring off from the turntable. This will allow for caboose rides to have a lengthier distance to travel. The caboose rides will be held in Caboose #12 and be pulled by Dinky #398 (soon to be renumbered to #26). Caboose rides will start in the beginning of the 2025 season.

List of Exhibits[]

Image Designation Type Video Notes
11958139 878299618872546 431002766507651.jpg LIRR G5s Locomotive #35 4-6-0 Steam Locomotive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUn11YjPDaA Oldest preserved Long Island Railroad steam locomotive, under restoration
LIRR-GS-1-Switcher-397-Dashing-Dan LIRR Dinky #397 GE 25-Tonner Diesel Switcher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX_lP8C5ssk Formerly named "Dashing Dan"
LIRR-GS-1-Switcher-398-Dashing-Dottie LIRR Dinky #398 (Now #26) GE 25-Tonner Diesel Switcher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX_lP8C5ssk Formerly named "Dashing Dottie" but renamed to "Theodore Roosevelt"
LIRR Caboose #12 Long Island N52A Wood Caboose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLtK_vruMCs Restored and operational
LIRR Caboose #50 Long Island N22A Steel Caboose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAzlXq5iRgY First N22 Caboose built
New Haven Boxcar 40-Foot Steel Boxcar Stores equipment and parts for LIRR #35
LIRR Coach #7433 P-54D "Ping Pong" Coach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le0bixenijs Formerly served on the Knox and Kane Railroad
LIRR DE/DM Simulator Locomotive Simulator Is often seen alongside the real DE/DM Diesel in Oyster Bay
LIRR M1 Simulator Locomotive Simulator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQEJGOlBnis Donated to OBRM in 2006.
LIRR M7 Simulator Locomotive Simulator Fitted with TrainSim World
LIRR Diesel Cab #1834/1964 Alco FA1 Locomotive Cab Used as a display at the 1964-1965 World's Fair
Baggage/Mail Car #738 BM-60 Baggage/Mail Car Currently stored in Riverhead, NY.
Oyster Bay Turntable 70-foot Electric Turntable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpKa6aMNpzk Restored to operation in 2019.

External Links[]

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