The area east of Buffalo provides a pleasant distraction with small towns, farms, and a relaxed existence. Here, you’ll find the Medina Railroad Museum located inside one of the largest surviving wooden freight houses around. You will also have the opportunity to ride a streamlined passenger train on the Falls Road Railroad.
Choices
At the Medina Railroad Museum, the old New York Central freight house is huge—301 feet long and 34 feet wide—and contains memorabilia, models, and artifacts. Enter the Union Station archway, and you’ll see displays dedicated to the trains, such as the Empire State Express and 20th Century Limited, and railroads, including the Pennsylvania Railroad, that helped develop the area. On a former New York Central main line, you can ride in 1947 Budd coaches pulled by a historic Alco Century diesel locomotive. The trains run on select days.
When to go
The museum is open year-round Tuesday through Sunday. Specials that leave from the museum include fall foliage trips, Halloween trains, and Polar Express rides.
Good to know
Ask about the bridge at Lockport, which, according to legend, was built upside down so as to limit the size of barge traffic on the competing Erie Canal.
Worth doing
For a unique experience, take a one-of-a-kind ride in a mule-drawn packet boat on the Erie Canal.
Don’t miss
In the museum, watch a large HO-scale model railroad in action. The prototypical railroad layout measures 14 feet by 204 feet. Also, take a close look at the lobby, which is refinished as the freight depot office.
Getting there
Medina is situated between Buffalo and Rochester, not far from Lake Ontario. From Buffalo, take Interstate 90 east to Route 77. Continue north on Route 77/63 to downtown Medina. There, turn left onto North Avenue and then turn right onto West Avenue.
Location: 530 West Avenue, Medina, NY
Phone: 585-798-6106
Website: medinarailroadmuseum.org
E-mail: medinarailroad@gmail.com
