Empire State Railway Museum
Empire State Railway Museum
Located in Phoenicia, New York the Empire State Railway Museum brings to life the history of these railroads, the towns and people they served, as well as to the residents of the Catskill Mountains.
The New York State Department of Education chartered the Empire State Railway Museum in 1960, it eventually took up residence in the former Ulster and Delaware station in Phoenicia, New York in 1984. With a completion date of 1899, this historic station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as home to the Museum's exhibition of photos, films and aritfacts. A 54 foot Central Vermont 1929 wood/steel auto-carrying box car (one of the earliest of its kind), 1900's Boston and Maine wooden baggage car, and a 28 foot Pennsylvania Rail Road 1890's wooden bobber caboose are three antique railway cars being restored at the moment.
One can almost hear and see the steam locomotives of the Ulster and Delaware, Catskill Mountain Railroad, New York Central, New York Ontario and Western and Delaware and Northern making their way through the Catskill Montains. Bringing lumber, bluestone, dairy and agricultural products of the region for transport to the New York City metropolitan area.
To help you bring it all into focus, the Museum has an on-going exhibit of beautifully restored, historic Phoenicia Depot including Ulster and Delaware Railroad photos and artifacts, and an excellent HO gage diorama depicting the Phoenicia junction and railroad yards over a hundred years ago.
Take a step back in time to view one of the things that built this country and made it great. A place where smog, blaring car horns, traffic and the hurried lifestyles are a distant memory. We all too often tend to forget what yester-year had to offer or what it was like. Find it here, at the Empire State Railway Museum.
Helpful information for the visitor:
Admission:
For prices please contact 845-688-7501
Hours of operation:
The museum is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through
Columbus Day from 11am to 4pm.
