Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society in West Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

West Pittsburg, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 9 min read

Rail preservation groupNo public hours posted; call ahead before visiting

The Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society is a volunteer group of railfans, historians and preservationists who secure and catalogue the railroad and industrial history of Lawrence County and western Pennsylvania, and keep a 1957 GE 50-ton locomotive in action.

  • 1957 GE 50-ton locomotive
  • B&O caboose
  • Pennsylvania Railroad N5C caboose
  • Former NRHS Beaver Valley chapter
  • Independent nonprofit

Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society at a glance

Hours
Not posted; call (724) 581-5560
Admission
Not posted; call for pricing
Best for
Rail fans interested in western Pennsylvania history

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to West Pittsburg.

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Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

From an NRHS chapter to an independent preservation group

The Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society began as the Beaver Valley chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and is now an independent nonprofit. Its members describe themselves as dedicated railfans, historians and preservationists working to secure and catalogue the railroad history, and the wider industrial history, of western Pennsylvania and the surrounding region, with a focus on Lawrence County.

The society's equipment shows what that work looks like in practice. A General Electric 50-ton locomotive built in 1957 is kept in running order and has been photographed pulling the society's Baltimore and Ohio caboose and a Pennsylvania Railroad N5C caboose. Rail preservation sites list the society in New Castle, while visitor directories give its address as 805 9th Street in West Pittsburg, so confirm where to meet when you call.

A small working railroad collection

The highlights are the 1957 GE 50-ton engine and the two cabooses it pulls, one from the B&O and one a Pennsylvania Railroad N5C. Beyond the equipment, the society collects and catalogues railroad and industrial records from the region. Hours are not posted online, so call (724) 581-5560 to ask what you can see and when.

Don’t miss

  1. The 1957 GE 50-ton locomotiveThe society's engine is shown in action on its website, pulling its two cabooses.
  2. Pennsylvania Railroad N5C cabooseA Pennsylvania Railroad caboose that the society keeps alongside its B&O caboose.

Two cabooses and a little diesel

Cabooses are a favorite with young train fans, and this group has two, plus a compact 1950s diesel to pull them. Because there are no posted public hours, families should call ahead to ask whether equipment will be out and whether children can look inside. A short, well-timed visit is likely the best fit for little ones.

Plan your visit: tips for Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society

  • Call (724) 581-5560 for hours, pricing and directions before you go.
  • Directories list 805 9th St. in West Pittsburg; other listings place the society in New Castle, so confirm the meeting spot.
  • Check blrhsinc.org for photos and news.

Railfans, historians and preservationists

The society is a nonprofit run by volunteers who secure and catalogue the region's rail and industrial history. If you have railroad items or records from Lawrence County or nearby, or want to help care for the equipment, call (724) 581-5560 or reach out through blrhsinc.org to ask about membership, volunteering and donations.

More western Pennsylvania rail history

Elsewhere in the region, the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum tells the area's railroad story in HO scale, and the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway historical collection covers another Pittsburgh area line. Browse every train museum in Pennsylvania to plan a trip.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A caboose was the crew's home on the rails, with room for everything they needed for the trip. That makes me think of Rally packing for his ride in our book: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, all squeezed into one little bag. My kids always want to know what they would pack. The full story of how the book came to be is on our story page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

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More for train families

Work or volunteer at Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society: 20 questions

What is the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

The Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society, Inc. is a nonprofit group of railfans, historians and preservationists who secure and catalogue the railroad and wider industrial history of western Pennsylvania and nearby regions. It focuses on Lawrence County and keeps a small collection of railroad equipment, including a 1957 GE 50-ton locomotive.

Where is the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

Visitor directories list the society at 805 9th St., Box 429, West Pittsburg, PA 16160, while a rail preservation site describes it as based in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Both are in Lawrence County. Call (724) 581-5560 before you go to confirm where the equipment is and how to reach it.

What are the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society hours?

The society does not post public hours online. Directory listings suggest calling (724) 581-5560 for hours, pricing and directions, which is the best way to find out when the collection can be seen. Because it is volunteer run, plan your visit with the society ahead of time rather than dropping by.

How much does it cost to visit the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

No admission prices are posted online. Call (724) 581-5560 to ask about pricing and whether a visit is possible on the day you have in mind. As a volunteer nonprofit, the society welcomes donations from visitors who want to support its preservation work.

What locomotive does the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society have?

The society has a General Electric 50-ton locomotive built in 1957. Its website shows the engine in action pulling the society's Baltimore and Ohio caboose and a Pennsylvania Railroad N5C caboose. A preservation site notes other major assets as well; ask the society what else is in the collection.

What cabooses does the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society own?

The society owns a Baltimore and Ohio caboose and a Pennsylvania Railroad N5C caboose. Both are pulled by its 1957 GE 50-ton locomotive, as shown on the society's website. Call (724) 581-5560 if you are hoping to see the cabooses in person, since visiting times are not posted.

Was the Beaver-Lawrence society part of the NRHS?

Yes. The society was formerly the Beaver Valley chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Today it is an independent organization dedicated to preserving railroad history and artifacts in Lawrence County and western Pennsylvania, while continuing the work its members began as a chapter.

Can you ride a train at the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

The society does not advertise public train rides. The society runs its GE 50-ton locomotive with its cabooses, but no ride schedule or tickets are posted. Call (724) 581-5560 to ask whether any rides or special events are planned.

Is the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society good for kids?

Kids who love trains will likely enjoy seeing a real locomotive and two cabooses up close. There are no posted family programs, so call ahead to find out what will be open and whether children can step inside the equipment. Keep the visit short for toddlers and bring outdoor clothing.

What does the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society preserve?

The society preserves railroad history and railroad items from Lawrence County and western Pennsylvania, and it also catalogues the region's larger industrial history. That includes physical equipment, such as its locomotive and cabooses, as well as records and history collected by its members.

How can I volunteer with the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

The society is run by dedicated railfans, historians and preservationists, and new hands are useful for equipment care and cataloguing. Call (724) 581-5560 or visit blrhsinc.org to ask about membership and volunteering. Members help keep the 1957 GE locomotive and the cabooses in good condition.

How can I donate to the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

Contact the society by phone at (724) 581-5560 or through blrhsinc.org to ask about donations. Gifts of money help maintain equipment, and the society also collects railroad and industrial history items from western Pennsylvania, so ask before donating artifacts or records.

Is the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society a museum?

Some directories list it as a museum and visitors have rated it highly, but it describes itself as a historical society focused on preservation and cataloguing. Its collection includes a locomotive and two cabooses. Call ahead to learn what parts of the collection are open to visitors.

What do visitors say about the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

One directory shows a 5.0 out of 5 rating from a small number of reviews. Beyond that, few visitor reviews are available online. For the most current picture of what you can see, check photos on blrhsinc.org and call (724) 581-5560 before planning a trip.

Is the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility information is not posted online. Railroad equipment such as cabooses usually has steep steps, so ground-level viewing may be the main option for wheelchair users. Call (724) 581-5560 before your visit to ask about surfaces, parking and access.

Is there parking at the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

Parking details are not posted online. Directories list the society at 805 9th St. in West Pittsburg. Call (724) 581-5560 for directions and parking guidance before you go, especially if you are visiting with a group.

Does the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society hold events?

The society does not post regular events or holiday trains online. The society's website shows its locomotive in action, so occasional operating days may happen. Check blrhsinc.org or call (724) 581-5560 for any upcoming open days.

What is a Pennsylvania Railroad N5C caboose?

The N5C is a class of caboose built for the Pennsylvania Railroad, and the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society keeps one in its collection. It runs alongside the society's B&O caboose behind the 1957 GE 50-ton locomotive. Ask the society for more on its history when you call.

How do I contact the Beaver-Lawrence Railway Historical Society?

Call (724) 581-5560, write to 805 9th St., Box 429, West Pittsburg, PA 16160, or visit blrhsinc.org. The phone is the best option for hours, pricing and directions, according to directory listings. The society does not post an email address online.

What other train museums are in western Pennsylvania?

Western Pennsylvania options on this site include the Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum in Gibsonia, the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Railway historical collection, the Kiski Junction Railroad and the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. The Pennsylvania state page lists every option with visiting details.

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