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[]
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 |
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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 |
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LIRR Dinky #397 | GE 25-Tonner Diesel Switcher | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX_lP8C5ssk | Formerly named "Dashing Dan" |
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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. |