Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
4.6· 321 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-12- TypeOperating railroad museum & vintage diesel train rides
- LocationRush, NY
- Rating4.6 ★321 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- AccessibilityCrushed-gravel paths cover much of the grounds; some exhibits require steps, and the vintage train ride is not wheelchair accessible
About Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum is a volunteer-operated museum where public event tickets ordinarily include a mile-and-a-half round-trip vintage diesel train ride and self-guided exhibits at both ends of the museum railroad. All ordinary rides board at the restored 1909 Industry Depot at 282 Rush Scottsville Road—not at the separate New York Museum of Transportation. Six future 2026 event programs are currently published, including Railfan Day, two joint trolley programs, Rails & Ales, Pumpkin Patch weekends and Santa trains. The collection includes two small steam locomotives, but the current visitor FAQ says both are in storage pending restoration and are not open to the public; visitors should expect diesel power unless a future event explicitly says otherwise. This free profile is source-checked, not operator-claimed or confirmed.
Train Rides & Museum Events
Choose the visit that fits your groupRailfans and families who want a standard museum-and-train day
Railfan Day & Train Rides
On August 22 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., tour the collection and ride a vintage diesel train. Current published admission is $15 adult, $12 senior, $10 youth, with ages four and under free.
Visitors wanting the full connected train-and-trolley experience
Trains & Trolleys at Twilight
On September 12 from 4–8 p.m., board at Industry Depot, ride the diesel train to Midway and transfer to an electric trolley for the New York Museum of Transportation, music, games and ice cream.
Families attending the community festival who can follow the alternate boarding point
Rush Fall Festival
On September 19 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., tickets and boarding move to the New York Museum of Transportation at 6393 East River Road for the joint trolley-and-train visit.
Adults 21+ who want tastings and repeated museum train rides
Oktoberfest Rails & Ales
A 21-and-over tasting event on September 26 from noon–3 p.m. The event header is current for 2026, but body copy still contains a stale 2025 date; use the calendar and live ticket page for final terms.
Families planning a fall train day
Pumpkin Patch Train Rides
Three weekends—October 10–11, 17–18 and 24–25—combine the mile-and-a-half vintage train ride, pumpkin patch, children’s pumpkin, snacks, exhibits and selected-weekend petting zoo.
Families with young children seeking a roughly one-hour holiday experience
Santa Train Rides to the North Pole
Four remaining dates—December 4, 5, 11 and 12—offer 3, 4:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. departures, hot chocolate, cookies and a Santa visit. Current published price is $28 per person.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- AccessibilityCrushed-gravel paths cover much of the grounds; some exhibits require steps, and the vintage train ride is not wheelchair accessible
- WeatherTrains run rain or shine; much of the museum experience is outdoors, so dress for conditions and wear closed-toe shoes
- RestroomsRestrooms are inside Industry Depot; portable toilets are near the Restoration Shop
- Operating ModelOpen only on published special-event dates; ordinary event hours are normally 10 a.m.–2 p.m. unless the specific listing says otherwise
- BoardingOrdinary train rides and events board at Industry Depot, 282 Rush Scottsville Road, Rush, NY 14543
- RideMile-and-a-half round trip aboard restored vintage freight cars and cabooses, normally hauled by a diesel-electric locomotive
- TicketsAdvance purchase through the official Eventbrite path is strongly suggested because departures can sell out; tickets may also be available at Industry Depot when inventory remains
- InclusionA regular event ticket includes museum admission and the round-trip train ride; special-event inclusions and prices vary
- DeparturesOn ordinary event days, trains are commonly scheduled every 30 minutes; the event page controls exact departure times
- Mobility AidsThe operator says canes, walkers and wheelchairs may be brought aboard when possible and volunteers will try to assist; contact the museum before purchase for individual needs
- FoodSnacks, soft drinks and water are sold in the gift shop; visitors may bring a picnic for the outdoor seating areas
- PetsPets are not allowed on museum grounds or trains; the official policy makes an exception for certified service animals
- DurationThe train ride connects two exhibit areas; visitors may remain at the Upper Yard and use later half-hourly return trains when the event format allows
- ContactDepot phone 585-533-1431 is not staffed around the clock; the museum cautions that a return call may take several days
Find the Depot
The Trains
The official collection page lists eleven diesel-electric locomotives, including Rochester & Genesee Valley No. 54, Lehigh Valley 211, U.S. Army 1843, several ALCO switchers and Eastman Kodak locomotives. Public rides use restored freight equipment, cabooses and an open-air rider flat. The operator reserves the right to substitute equipment, modify schedules or cancel. Two small industrial steam locomotives are collection artifacts, but the current visitor FAQ says both are stored pending restoration and not open to the public. No 2026 steam-powered departure is supported by the current calendar.
History
Ten members organized the Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society on February 4.
The group preserved Rochester Subway Car 60 after the city subway ended passenger service.
The organization purchased the abandoned 1909 Industry Depot from Erie Lackawanna for one dollar.
Volunteers restored a live rail connection and Eastman Kodak locomotive No. 6 arrived as the museum’s first locomotive.
A golden-spike ceremony marked completion of the link to the New York Museum of Transportation.
The organization completed its transition to the independent Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum identity.
See full history
The organization traces its roots to February 4, 1937, when ten members formed the Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. It preserved Rochester Subway Car 60 after city passenger service ended in 1956, then purchased the abandoned 1909 Erie Railroad Industry Depot from Erie Lackawanna for one dollar in July 1971. Volunteers rebuilt the depot, reconnected the site to live rail in 1981 and received Eastman Kodak GE switcher No. 6 as the museum’s first locomotive. A two-mile museum-railroad connection to the New York Museum of Transportation was completed with a golden-spike ceremony in 1993. The organization became independent of NRHS by the end of 2010 and continues as a nonprofit educational museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the museum open every day?
No. It opens to the public on published special-event dates only. Ordinary event hours are usually 10 a.m.–2 p.m., but each listing controls.
Where do Rochester train rides board?
Ordinary rides board at Industry Depot, 282 Rush Scottsville Road, Rush, NY 14543. A few joint events use a different starting point and say so explicitly.
How long is the train ride?
The route is a mile-and-a-half round trip. The broader visit can take longer because exhibits are at both ends and later return trains may be available.
Does admission include the train?
Regular event tickets include museum admission and a round-trip train ride. Special-event inclusions and prices vary.
Are the trains steam powered?
No 2026 steam departure is currently supported. The museum owns two small steam locomotives, but its visitor FAQ says both are stored pending restoration and not open to the public. Public rides use vintage diesel power.
Is the train wheelchair accessible?
No. The museum says the vintage equipment was not designed for passenger use and is not wheelchair accessible. Volunteers will try to assist and mobility aids may be brought aboard when possible; contact the museum first.
Are pets allowed?
No pets are allowed on the grounds or trains. The official policy excepts certified service animals.
Do I need advance tickets?
Advance purchase is strongly recommended because departures can sell out. Remaining tickets may be sold at Industry Depot.
Is New York Museum of Transportation the same museum?
No. It is a separate organization and public entrance about two driving miles away. The two connect by rail and collaborate on selected events.
Which address should I use for Rush Fall Festival?
The operator’s 2026 event page says tickets and boarding are at New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road—not Industry Depot.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 12, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official Rochester Train Rides home page for address, phone, visitor product and current event links
- Official 2026 event calendar for remaining event groups, dates, hours and alternate venues
- Official visitor FAQ for boarding, ticket inclusion, train format, accessibility, pets, weather, restrooms, food and steam status
- Official directions page for the Industry Depot departure point and regional travel guidance
- Official museum contact page for special-event-only access and phone-response expectations
- Official museum history for organization, depot, collection and railroad chronology
- Official railroad collection for equipment types and stored steam-locomotive status
- Official Railfan Day page for current August admission and event hours
- Official Trains & Trolleys page for the transfer, boarding point, inclusions, times and prices
- Official events archive for complete current Santa dates, departure times, price and duration
- Wikimedia Commons category for exact rights-cleared Industry Depot and equipment photography
