National New York Central Railroad Museum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

National New York Central Railroad Museum

Reporting marks	NNYX
Locale	Indiana
Dates of operation	1987–Present
Track gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters	Elkhart, Indiana

The National New York Central Railroad Museum is a railroad museum located in Elkhart, Indiana, that preserves the history of the New York Central Railroad.

The museum is opposite the Elkhart Amtrak station and includes several outdoor equipment displays, indoor model railroads, relics from the NYC and other railroad related exhibits including educational displays pertaining to the history of railroading. The museum is expanding its dedication to the preservation of both local and national railroad heritage.

[edit] History

Elkhart was a vital link between East and West during the growth of railroading in the United States. In 1833 the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad was established and built a line through the town. The LS&MS was acquired by the NYC in 1914.

[edit] Equipment collection

The NYC EMD E8 #4085 on display at the National New York Central Railroad Museum

A restored Conrail bay window Caboose on display at the National New York Central Railroad Museum

Steam locomotives

1940 L3a NYC Mohawk #3001 The largest surviving piece of the NYC modern steam power technology and the only known surviving L3a class. The Mohawk is one of two surviving NYC 4-8-2 engines. This steam powered locomotive was one of the fastest locomotives of its time primarily designed for use in the mountains it often carried passengers at speeds up to 80Mph along New York Centrals water level route.

Diesel locomotives

1953 EMD E8 - The NYC #4085, was the lead locomotive of East bound 20th Century Limited when it left Chicago, Illinois bound for New York City for the last time on December 3, 1967. With the help of Plexiglas side panels the visitor can view the inside of the engine compartment of this locomotive. Parts are painted in multi-colors and a wall chart explains what each part is and its function. Visitors can tour the cab and sit in the engineers seat.

Electric locomotives

1939 PRR GG1 painted in Penn Central livery. A legend in its own time. One of the fastest locomotives of its day reaching speeds up to 100 Mph. Designed with the assistance of the famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy.

Cabooses

1974 Conrail bay window caboose #21230. This caboose's exterior has been fully restored. Interior restoration has just begun. This is one of the many cabooses in which the museum owns. several more of various designs are slated to be restored.

Other equipment

The museum displays several Pullman Company railcars, a 150 ton (165 Tonnes) Crane, 2 Steel B&O freight cars, A 250 ton (275 Tonnes) Self-propelled crane, a Railroad Post Office, and a PRR Diner.

[edit] Interior displays

model railroads
New York Central Railroad memorabilia

[edit] Building and grounds

The building of the museum consists of a modified New York Central 20th Century Limited Train set and a 100 year old freight house. You enter the museum through the front lobby and pass through a 1915 passenger car to reach the main display area inside a 100 year old freight depot. At the rear of the train you will find an authentic observation car.

[edit] Live entertainment

The museum sits directly aside of one of the busiest railroad lines in the Midwestern United States. The Norfolk Southern mainline provides ample live entertainment outside the building. A train rolls by on the main line in one direction or the other about every 15 minutes.