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Trains...

 Sorry but I have two addictions, Uh make that three....four.

 One is boats and the other is trains, add to that firetrucks.... and carousels.

 Here I'm going to list a few railroad museums and where you can still ride the rails. 

 Places that you can catch a boat ride.

Plus a few firehouse museums to explore. 

 Please help support these places before they are gone forever. Sadly just like a place called 'Roadside America', which was just closed and piece auctioned away forever 1935-2021. 

Thanks

 

Medina Railroad Museum, Medina NY -

 Here is the largest HO layout in NY. It also has a fireman helmet collection that is over 484 helmets. Has train riding events in the spring and fall, that run along the Erie Canal and over the ''upside down RR bridge''.

Open later in the week and on weekends. Easy walk from the canal in downtown Medina.

530 West Ave, Medina NY 14103

(585) 798-6106

https://www.medinarailroadmuseum.org/

 

 

Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum -

 Right on the Erie Canal. Wall parking at the doorstep. 

 16 East Ave, Spencerport, NY 14559

(585) 352-0942

https://www.spencerportmuseum.org/

 

 

 The following two (R&GV - NYMT) are kind of sort of together. Their respective museums are neighbors and connected by rail.

 So make sure you visit both.

 

 

Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum -

 Has train rides.

282 Rush Scottsville Rd, Rush, NY 14543

(585) 533-1431

http://www.rgvrrm.org/

New York Museum of Transportation -

 Has trolley rides.

6393 E River Rd, West Henrietta, NY 14586

(585) 533-1113

http://www.nymtmuseum.org/

 

 

Attic & Arcade Railroad -

 Has train rides, also real a Steam Engine.

278 Main St, Arcade, NY 14009

(585) 492-3100

https://www.aarailroad.com/

 

 

Buffalo Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway -

 Has trains to ride. Train cars and the depot in South Dayton NY, were used in the 1987 movie 'Trains, Planes and Auotmobiles'. 

 The same depot was used in another movie 'The Natural'.

4 Scott St, Hamburg, NY 14075

(833) 722-5778

https://www.bcjrailroad.com/

 

 

Finger Lakes Railway -

 Has train rides.

68 Border City Rd, Geneva, NY 14456-1099 

(315) 781-1234

https://fingerlakesrail.com/

 

 

Finger Lakes Live Steamers -

 Scale model Steam Engines running outdoors.

302 Clyde-Marengo Rd, Clyde, NY 14433

https://fingerlakeslivesteamers.org/

 

 

Bullthistle Model Railroad Museum - 

No train rides but a nice small museum.

33 Rexford St. Norwich NY 13815

(607) 336-4166

https://bmrs.org/

 

Also while you are at the Bullthistle Museum, go across the street to the car museum and nextdoor to the Diecast Museum.

 

Wheels in Time Diecast Museum - 

Toy car museum.

27 Rexford St, Norwich NY 13815

https://www.instagram.com/wheels.in.time.official/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

Northeast Classic Car Museum - 

Nice small old car collection.

24 Rexford St, Norwich NY 13815

(607) 334-2886

https://classiccarmuseum.org/

 

 

Adirondack Railroad -

 Has train rides. Two stations.

Also has Railbikes. Polar Express.

Utica station - 321 Main St, Utica, NY 13501

Thendara station - 2568 State Route 28, Thendara, NY 13472

(800) 819-2291

https://www.adirondackrr.com/

 

 

The Erie Canal Village -

 This old timey village showing the canal town history. Has a narrow gauge Steam Engine ride. Also a canal replica. 

5789 Rome-New London Rd, Rome, NY 13440

https://eriecanalvillageny.org/trains/

 

 

Trolley Museum of New York -

 Trolley rides along the Hudson River.

89 E Strand St. Kingston, NY 12401

http://www.tmny.org/

 

 

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum -

 Two sites to explore.

1 Railroad Ave, Oyster Bay NY 

https://obrm.org/

 

 

Boothbay Railway Village -

 Has Steam train rides. 

586 Wiscasset Rd, Route 27,Boothbay, ME 04537

(207) 633-4727

https://railwayvillage.org/

 

 

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad CO & Museum -

 Has diesel and Steam Engine that you can drive for a fee. Right down on the waterfront. Polar Express. Great place.

49 Thames St, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 829-0814

https://mainenarrowgauge.org/

 

 

Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway -

 Has Steam narrow gauge train to ride. Even a Model A railcar. Just awesome! Out in the middle of nowhere.

97 Cross Rd, Alna, ME 04535

(207) 882-4193

http://wwfry.org/?page_id=75

 

 

Seashore Trolley Museum -

 World's first and largest electric railway museum. 

195 Log Cabin Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

(207) 967-2800

https://trolleymuseum.org/

 

 

the Shore Line Trolley Museum -

 Has trolleys that you can drive for a fee. 

17 River St, East Haven, CT 06512

(203) 467-6927

http://www.bera.org/main.html

 

 

the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat -

 Has Steam Train that you can drive for a fee. Also has a Steam Boat ride. Dinner train. Railbikes. Thomas the Train.

1 Railroad Ave, Essex, Ct 06426

(800) 377-3987

https://essexsteamtrain.com/

 

 

Hobo & Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad -

 Several train ride options and at four locations. Has a dinner train. Railbikes. Ask about caboose rentals.

64 Railroad St, Lincoln, NH 03251 

154 Main St, Meredith, NH 03253 

211 Lakeside Ave, Weirs Beach, NH 03247

and Laconia, NH 

(603) 745-2135

https://hoborr.com/

 

 

the Cog Railway -

 Ride to the top of Mount Washington NH. You can also do it by car.

 Butt, be warned of moons on the Appalachian Trail.

3168 Base Station Rd, Mount Washington, NH 03589 

(800) 922-8825

https://www.thecog.com/

 

 

the Appalachian Trail -

 Hey while you are here at the Cog in NH, you actually cross over the Appalachian Trail. 2,189 miles from Georgia to Maine. 

 They say the hikers tradition is uh, moon the Cog as it passes by.

 Here is their website if you want more info about the trail, not the mooning.

https://appalachiantrail.com/

 

 

Conway Scenic Railroad - 

 Has few train ride options, with dinner trains and a dome car. Huge Steam Engine. 

Ask about the Frankenstein Bridge and their Fire Truck with train running gear.

38 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH 03860

(603) 356-5251

https://www.conwayscenic.com/

 

 

 These two (RBM&N - LG) are associated with each other. They both use the city of Jim Thorpe.

 

RBM&N Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad -

 Has a few train class ride options. Two locations and into the city of Jim Thorpe. Has Steam engines. 

3501 Pottsville Pike, Muhlenberg Township, PA

1 Railroad Blvd, Port Clinton, PA

(610) 562-2102

https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/

Lehigh George -

 Is a train ride, where a few you can bring your bicycle with you. Rent the caboose for 6 people. 

One Susquehanna St, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229

(610) 562-2102

https://www.lgsry.com/

 

 

The Colebrookdale Railroad -

 Has very nice dinner train cars. Railbikes. Rent the caboose.

64 S Washington St, Boyertown, PA 19512

(610) 367-0200

https://www.colebrookdalerailroad.com/

 

 

The Stourbridge Line -

 Lots of older diesel. Some lunches on trains.

812 Main St, Honesdale, PA 18431

(570) 470-2697

https://www.thestourbridgeline.net/

 

 

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine &Steam Train -

 Two unique rides. One goes 1,700ft into a moutain...yes a mine cart into the mine. The other is a Steam Engine ride around the mountain. Both very cool. 

2001 Walnut St, Ashland, PA 17921

(570) 875-3850

http://www.pioneertunnel.com/

 

*not far from Yuenling Brewery.

 

 

 These two are right across the street from each other. 

 

Stasburgh Railroad -

 Has train rides with different class options. Some dinner trains. You can drive a Steam Engine. Home of Thomas the Train.

301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572

(866) 725-9666

https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/

 

 

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania -

 You MUST come see this place...the greatest!!!

Step on to real train engines all inside a huge building.

300 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572

(717) 687-8628

https://rrmuseumpa.org/

 

*just down the street is..

The Toy Train Museum - kind of a bore.

The Red Caboose - motel made of individual cabooses.

 

 

Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad -

 Train rides and special Speeder ride days. also only mail train still in service. 

Can bring your bike and kayak days.

407 S Perry St, Titusville, PA

Train tix - (814) 676-1733

Caboose Motel - (800) 827-0690

https://www.octrr.org/

 

 

Lake Shore Railway Museum -

 31 Wall St. North East, PA 16428

(814) 725-1911

https://lakeshorerailway.com/about-lsrhs/

 

 

Greenville Museum -

 Train and a seperate Canal museum.

Train - 314 Main St, Greenville, PA 16125

(724) 588-4009

Canal - 60 Alan Ave, Greenville, PA 16125

(724) 588-7540

https://greenvillemuseumalliance.org/railroad

 

 

Everett Railroad -

 Has Steam Engine.

244 Loop Rd, Holidaysburg, PA 16648

(814) 696-3877

https://everettrailroad.com/monthly-schedule/

 

 

The Railroaders Memorial Museum / the Horseshoe Curve -

 Come see the ''Curve''.

Museum - 1200 Ninth ave, Altoona, PA 16602

(814) 946-0834

the Curve - 2400 Veterans Memorial Highway, Altoona, PA 16602

(814) 941-7743

https://www.railroadcity.org/

 

 

The two ''Incline Railways'' in Pittsburgh -

 

the Duquesne Incline -

 Closer to the fountain.

1197 West Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

(412) 381-1665

http://www.duquesneincline.org/

 

the Monongahela Incline -

 around 144 West Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

https://monongahelaincline.com/

 

*Also go see...

 Bicycle Heaven - 4,000 bicycles, you won't believe this place.

https://www.bicycleheaven.org/

 Senator John Heinz History Center - 4th floor is Mr Rogers.

https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/

 

 

Pennsylvania Trolley Museum -

 Has beautiful trolley rides. Some great old timers that love showing their rolling stock. Come see the Daniel Trolley event (Mr Rogers).

1 Museum Rd, Washington, PA 15301

(724) 228-9256

https://pa-trolley.org/

 

 

Rockhill Trolley Museum -

 Wow, come see the trolleys and go for a ride.

430 Meadow St. Rockhill Furnance PA 17249

(814) 447-9576

http://rockhilltrolley.org/

 

 

Cuyahoga Valley -

 Has train rides. Even has Executive Class; Dome View Cars; ask about renting the Caboose. Dinner car and bring a bike options.

Three locations to board.

7900 Old Rockside Rd, Independence, OH 44131

1630 Mill St, Peninsula, OH 44264

27 Ridge St, Akron, OH 44308

(330) 439-5708

https://www.cvsr.org/national-park-scenic/

 

 

Age of Steam Roundhouse -

 Lots of steam.

213 Smokey Lane Rd, Sugarcreek, OH 44681

(330) 852-4676

https://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.org/

 

 

Nickel Plate Express -

 Has trains to ride and a dinner train. Also a red caboose.

Forest Park Dr, Nobelsville, IN 46060

(317) 285-0682

https://nickelplateexpress.com/

 

 

National Railroad Museum in Green Bay WI -

 Has train rides.

2285 South Broadway, Green Bay, WI 54304

(920) 437-7623

https://nationalrrmuseum.org/

 

 

The Henry Ford Museum -

 Great collection.

20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124-5029

(313) 271-1620

https://www.thehenryford.org/

 

 

B&O Railroad Museum -

 Has train rides and Steam Engines. Thomas the Train.

901 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21223

(410) 752-2490

http://www.borail.org/

 

 

Tennessee Valley Railroad -

 Has dinner train rides, also Steam Engines. Thomas the Train.

4119 Cromwell Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421

(423) 894-8028

https://www.tvrail.com/

 

 

Stone Mountain Park -

 Has a train ride, also a Skyride.

Stone Mountain, GA 30083

https://www.stonemountainpark.com/Activities/Attractions/Scenic-Railroad 

 

 

Rail Explorers -

 Unique bike on the train track rails. Three locations.

70 High St, Phoenicia, NY 12464

1 Alexander Rd, Portsmouth, Rhode Island, RI 02871

601 Yucca St, Boulder City, NV 89005

(877) 833-8588

https://www.railexplorers.net/contact

 

 

Agawa Canyon Tour Train -

 Has a train to ride. 

87 Huron St, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario Canada P6A 6Y2

(800) 461-6020

http://www.agawatrain.com/the-train/

 

 

Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario -

 Has train to ride and a caboose to overnight in. 

90 Williams St. W, Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada K7A 5A5

(613) 283-5696

http://rmeo.org/

 

 

46 listed - 37 rides

 

 

Boat rides...

 

 

Erie Canal Boat Tour -

 the Colonial Belle at the Erie Canal in Fairport NY.

https://www.colonialbelle.com/

(585) 223-9470

 

 

the Sam Patch -

 Tour the Erie Canal on a replica 1800's packet boat.

Schoen Place in Pittsford NY.

https://www.sampatch.org/

(585) 662-5748

 

 

the Harbor Town Belle -

 Experience the Lower Genesee River and Lake Ontario.

http://www.theharbortownbelle.com/

(585) 342-1810

 

 

Capt Bill's Cruises -

 Tour Seneca Lake NY.

https://www.senecaharborstation.com/

 

 

Maid of the Mist - American side

Horn Blower - Canadian side 

 Both are tours of the Niagara Falls 

 

 

Buffalo Harbor Cruises - 

https://www.buffaloharborcruises.com/

(800) 244-8684

 

 

Buffalo River History Tours -

https://www.buffaloriverhistorytours.com/

(716) 796-4556

 

 

North Star Cruises - 

 How about a personal pontoon boat ride on the Erie Canal. 

Go right down to the Medina basin behing main st. This boat ride will take you right over the famous canal culvert. 

https://www.facebook.com/northstarcruises

(716) 514-9378 

 

 

Letchworth NYS Park -

 Whitewater rafting in the "Grand Canyon of the East". 

https://adventure-calls.com/

 

 

Jet Boats on the Niagara River -

 They are on both sides of the river, so American and Canadian.

 Two options in getting wet or staying dry...they will get you wet. 

https://whirlpooljet.com/

 

 

Lots of chatter boats that will take you out into Lake Ontario in Wilson / Olcott / Point Breeze NY.

 

 

Niagara River Cruises - 

 On the upper Niagara River.

https://niagararivercruises.us/cruises/

 

 

Buffalo River Tiki Boat Tours -

 Cute little boat drinking tour of the Buffalo River.

https://www.buffalotikitours.com/

 

 

Buffalo Grand Lady -

 https://www.grandlady.com/

 

 

Waterbike Adventures -

 Located just off the end of the Erie Canal in Tonawanda.

 They rent waterbikes and an electric boat to cruise the canal. 

https://waterbikeadventures.com/

 

 

Buffalo Harbor Cruises -

 Miss Buffalo 

 

 

Buffalo Boat Tours -

 

 

Spirit of Buffalo - 

 

 

Hudson River Maritime Museum - 

 Wooden boats and sails. You can also transient dock here.

50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, New York 12401

https://www.hrmm.org/

 

 

Fire Dept Museums...

 

 

Volunteer Firemen's Museum - 

 Vol fireman museum in NY near the Hudson River.

265 Fair St, Kingston, New York 12401

https://kingstonvolunteerfiremensmuseum.weebly.com/

 

 

Carousel Parks 

 

 

 Ok so here are a list of local ride on carousel parks...

 

Olcott Carousel Park -

 1928 Herschell Carousel, plus five other old time kid rides. All rides are 25cents. 

 5979 E Main Street, Olcott NY 

https://olcottbeachcarouselpark.org/

 

 

Ontario Beach Park -

 1905 Dentzel Carousel. 52 animals and two charriots. 

4800 Lake Ave, Rochester

https://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589938342

 

 

Herschell Carousel Factory Museum - 

 The place where it all started. Has several working kid rides.

180 Thompson St, North Tonawanda

https://www.carrouselmuseum.org/ 

 

 

Buffalo Heritage Carousel -

 1924 Herschell. 

1 Marine Drive, Buffalo

https://www.buffaloheritagecarousel.org/ 

 

 

Lakeside Park Carousel -

 1905 Loof. 

1 Lakeport Road, St Catherines, Canada.

https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/arts-culture-and-events/lakeside-park-carousel.aspx 

 

 

Broome County Carousels - 

 Five carousels at different locations in this county. Take the tour of all. 

City of Binghamton and Johnson City NY

https://www.gobroomecounty.com/community/carousels

 

 

Farmers Museum -

 NY State animal carousel.

5775 State Highway 80 Lake Rd, Cooperstown

https://www.farmersmuseum.org/empire-state-carousel/

 

 

American Legions

 

 

 Did you know there are several American Legions along the Erie Canal.

Buffalo; Tonawanda; Lockport; Medina; Albion; Holley; Brockport; Spencerport; Macedon; Palmyra; Newark; Lyons; Seneca Falls; Syracuse; Canastota; Oneida; Rome; Oriskany; Utica; Frankfort, Ilion; Herkimer, Little Falls; St Johnsonville; Fort Plain; Amsterdam; Cohoes; Green Island; North Albany; Rensselaer. 

 

 

fire

 

 

Pirates-Chest.com

Our location and how to contact us...

 

On the Erie Canal

Gasport, NY

 

Call or text: email for phone number

 

*best way to catch me...

Email:

Capt-Bruggs@pirates-chest.com

 

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pirates.chest

 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014350205814 

 

*worst way to find me. Still don't know how to tweet...

Twitter: twitter.com/PiratesChest1

 

         *Watch

      your  wake!!!

      Slow Please!

    10mph

      and less in some places.

 The western Erie Canal does have speed limits. 

 The Canal Corp staff at the locks and the lift bridges, actually keep track of your times passing thru. They contact the staff at your next stop, to let them know traffic is coming and to expect your arrival time. Some staff even operate two separate lift bridges.

 Slow down.

 Also bank erosion.

 Even though the banks of the canal is covered in large rocks, your wake is undermining it.

 This is why we have these ''Guard Gates'' that you pass under every few miles. If the canals embankment has a blowout, these drop to prevent mass water exiting. It has happened.

 Watch your wake. 

*Please put contact info on your outdoor gear like kayaks; canoe; dingy; life jackets / preservers; throw rings; bumpers / fenders. Anything that can come off your boat.

 The reason is, say if your kayak slipped off without you knowing and is found out by itself. Now local fire depts and the Coast Guard will be out looking for a potential water rescue victim(s).

 These rescue teams can contact you without doing a massive search for a non-existing emergency.

 We all want to find those in need of help, but wayward items just puts undue stress on resources.

 Thank you. 

Hungry??

 If you are out on the Great Lakes or other waterways around them and looking to eat. 

 'Dock and Dine' lists eateries that you can easily access by boat. In most cases you can dock right there or it is a very short walk. 

 Check them out or send them a link to your favorite place for them to list.

 

https://www.dockanddineloop.com/ 

 

https://www.facebook.com/dockanddines/

 Hey, do you live on the Erie Canal or close by and want to be a local host? 

 Hosts help people on the canal like the walkers; cyclists; kayakers; boaters and others. All these groups are so different, yet use the same space here on the canal. Local people that live on the canal, see all the people and some want to help. 

 Mixed in the listing on the webpages here will be a few Erie Canal Hosts. They might have a private dock; a place to pitch a tent or RV spot; a parking spot for your car or trailer for an extended stay; a local onsite person to help with issues or as a guide. 

 Does that sound like something you want to assist with? Send me a message and I will try to explain the details better. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYSCanalwayWaterTrail/permalink/1015667725630626/ 

 Do you need your boats AC unit serviced?

 Located in Tonawanda NY, western end of the Erie Canal. Call Tim (716) 831-0333

https://www.hvactms.com/ 

 Fellow big boat owner and good guy.

 

 Need a Ford Bronco rental in Buffalo NY? 

https://turo.com/us/en/drivers/11434229 

 How about do you need a campsite on the western Erie Canal?

 You are in luck...

https://www.hipcamp.com/en-US/new-york/tomtuga-on-the-erie-canal/on-the-erie-canal-gvt-railroad

 

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