Central Square Station Museum, New York
Depot museumSundays, noon to 4 pm, Memorial Day to Columbus Day
The Central Square Station Museum preserves a depot once shared by the New York, Ontario and Western and the New York Central railroads, with indoor exhibits, outdoor equipment and a railroad library.
- Former O&W and New York Central depot
- Indoor and outdoor exhibits
- Railroad library
- Open Sundays in season
Central Square Station Museum at a glance
- Hours
- Sundays, 12 pm to 4 pm, Memorial Day to Columbus Day
- Admission
- Not posted online; call (315) 676-7582
- Plan for
- About 1 hour
- Best for
- Rail fans and families with train-loving kids
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Central Square Station Museum? 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 Central Square.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
A depot two railroads once shared
Central Square's station was once operated jointly as a depot for two railroads, the New York, Ontario and Western and the New York Central. Sources disagree on its age: one history listing says the original station was built in 1868 by the New York, Ontario and Western, while Oswego County's tourism site says the station standing today was completed in 1909. Both may be true of different buildings on the site, so ask the volunteers for the full story.
Today the depot is listed by the Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society as one of its museums. Volunteers have restored the lower level to look like the original station, with life-size mannequins in period clothing, and they keep a railroad library in the building. Outside, they have been working on rail cars; one visitor review praises the restoration of a circus car that was completely empty when work began, now finished with hand-painted touches of tigers and clowns.
Period scenes inside, rail cars outside
Inside, the lower level recreates the look of the original station with costumed mannequins, and the building also holds a railroad library. Outdoor exhibits include restored equipment such as the circus car and a J.G. Brill motorcar that was converted to a passenger car. Ask volunteers about current projects.
Don’t miss
- The restored circus carRebuilt by volunteers from an empty shell, with hand-painted details of tigers and clowns.
- J.G. Brill motorcarA self-propelled car later converted to a passenger car, on display outside.
- Period station sceneLife-size mannequins in period clothing show what the depot looked like in service.
Mannequins, a circus car and a quick visit
Kids who like trains will enjoy walking among the outdoor rail cars, and the circus car with its painted tigers and clowns is an easy favorite. The mannequins in period clothing help children picture travelers waiting for a train. The museum does not post kids' programs online, and outdoor exhibits mean dressing for the weather.
Plan your visit: tips for Central Square Station Museum
- Use 132 Railroad Ave., Central Square as your GPS address.
- The museum is open only on Sundays in season, so plan around that.
- Call ahead to ask about the railroad library if you want to do research.
Volunteers restoring cars by hand
The museum is listed by the Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, and volunteers do the restoration work, from the station scenes to the circus car. To help, check cnynrhs.org for membership and volunteer information or call (315) 676-7582.
Other stations within reach
The Martisco Station Museum, an 1870 brick depot kept by the same chapter, is about 21 miles away. The Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society Museum in Shortsville is about 59 miles west. For a full list, see train museums in New York.
- Martisco Station MuseumMartisco, NY · about 21 mi
- Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society MuseumShortsville, NY · about 59 mi
- Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley RailroadMilford, NY · about 78 mi
- New York Museum of TransportationWest Henrietta, NY · about 81 mi
- Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad MuseumRush, NY · about 82 mi
- North Creek Depot MuseumNorth Creek, NY · about 112 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
The mannequins in this old depot are dressed like travelers waiting for their train, and I can picture them watching out the station windows. In our book, Rally gets a window seat and looks out an arched window at the ocean, where he greets a white bird. My mom imagined that scene before she passed in 2021. Waiting and watching was always part of the adventure for her.
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
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.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
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- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Central Square Station Museum?
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.
Central Square Station Museum: 20 questions answered
Where is the Central Square Station Museum?
The Central Square Station Museum is at 132 Railroad Ave., Central Square, New York 13036, in Oswego County. The Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society gives that street address as the one to enter in your GPS. Call (315) 676-7582 if you need help finding it.
What are the Central Square Station Museum opening hours?
As of October 2026, the museum is open Sundays from noon to 4 pm, from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. It is not listed as open on other days or in the off season, so plan a Sunday visit in that window and call (315) 676-7582 to confirm before you go.
How do I get directions to the Central Square Station Museum?
Enter 132 Railroad Ave., Central Square, NY in your GPS or map app; the Central New York NRHS chapter lists that as the museum's GPS address. Detailed driving directions are not posted online, so call (315) 676-7582 if your map has trouble finding Railroad Avenue.
Is there parking near the Central Square Station Museum?
Parking details are not posted online for the museum. When you call (315) 676-7582 to confirm Sunday hours, ask where visitors should park on Railroad Avenue, especially if you are bringing a group or a larger vehicle.
How much does the Central Square Station Museum cost?
Admission prices are not posted online. The museum is run by volunteers, so call (315) 676-7582 or check the Central Square page on cnynrhs.org to ask about any fee or suggested donation before your visit.
What is the Central Square Station Museum?
It is a former railroad depot in Central Square, New York that once served both the New York, Ontario and Western and the New York Central railroads. Today it holds indoor and outdoor rail exhibits, a railroad library and restored equipment, and it is listed by the Central New York NRHS chapter as one of its museums.
When was the Central Square station built?
Sources differ. One history listing says the original station was built in 1868 by the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad, while Oswego County's tourism site says the station standing today was completed in 1909. Ask the museum's volunteers which date applies to the current building.
What railroads used the Central Square depot?
The Central Square depot was jointly operated by the New York, Ontario and Western and the New York Central railroads. That shared history is part of what the museum interprets in its indoor exhibits and outdoor displays.
What exhibits are at the Central Square Station Museum?
Inside, the lower level is set up to look like the original station, with life-size mannequins dressed in period clothing, and there is a railroad library. Outside, the museum displays rail cars, including a restored circus car and a J.G. Brill motorcar that was converted to a passenger car.
What is the circus car at the Central Square Station Museum?
The circus car is one of the museum's restoration projects. A visitor review says it was completely empty when volunteers began rebuilding it, and it now includes hand-painted touches such as plates showing tigers and clowns. It is one of the most kid-friendly pieces on the grounds.
Does the Central Square Station Museum have a railroad library?
Yes. Oswego County's tourism listing says the museum houses a railroad library alongside its indoor and outdoor displays. If you want to use it for research, call (315) 676-7582 ahead of time to ask what is available and when someone can help.
What events are held at the Central Square Station Museum?
The museum does not post an events calendar online. For any special open houses or chapter events, check the Central Square page on cnynrhs.org or call (315) 676-7582. Its regular public hours are Sunday afternoons from Memorial Day to Columbus Day.
Can you ride a train at the Central Square Station Museum?
No rides are listed at the Central Square Station Museum. It is a depot museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits rather than an operating railroad. For train rides, see the larger heritage railroads on our New York train museum page.
Is the Central Square Station Museum good for kids?
It can be a good short outing for children who love trains. The outdoor rail cars and the colorful circus car are easy hits, and the costumed mannequins show how a depot looked in service. There are no posted kids' programs, and outdoor exhibits mean dressing for the weather.
How long does a visit to the Central Square Station Museum take?
Plan about an hour to see the indoor station scenes and walk the outdoor exhibits. Rail fans who want to talk with volunteers about restoration work, or browse the railroad library, may want to stay for the full Sunday afternoon.
Who runs the Central Square Station Museum?
The museum is listed by the Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the same chapter that operates the Martisco Station Museum. Volunteers handle the restoration work. One travel site credits the Central Square Historical Society with starting it, so ask locally if you want the full history.
Is the Central Square Station Museum wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility information is not posted online. The museum has both indoor exhibits and outdoor displays on the grounds, so call (315) 676-7582 ahead of your visit to ask about access to the station building and the outdoor rail cars.
Can groups visit the Central Square Station Museum outside regular hours?
The museum does not post a group tour program. Because it is volunteer run and open only on Sunday afternoons in season, groups should call (315) 676-7582 well in advance to ask whether a special visit can be arranged.
How can I volunteer at the Central Square Station Museum?
Volunteers keep the museum running and restore its rail cars. To get involved, check the Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society at cnynrhs.org for membership and volunteer information, or stop by on a Sunday afternoon in season and ask.
What train museums are near the Central Square Station Museum?
The Martisco Station Museum, run by the same NRHS chapter, is about 21 miles away. The Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society Museum in Shortsville is about 59 miles, and the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad in Milford is about 78 miles away.
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