Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society in Archive in Avoca, New York, Pennsylvania

Oct 19

Archive in Avoca, New York, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Rail preservation groupA historical society with an archive; no public visiting hours are posted

The Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society preserves and shares information about the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western, the Erie Railroad, the Erie Lackawanna and related lines, building an archive and a research resource for members and anyone curious about these railroads.

Covers the DL&W, Erie and Erie Lackawanna
Archive building in Avoca, New York
Annual Erie Lackawanna calendar
Research website for members and public

Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society at a glance

Hours: No public hours posted
Admission: Not a public museum; membership details on erielackhs.org
Best for: Erie Lackawanna and DL&W researchers and fans

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

Contact and directions

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Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Erie Lackawanna Railroad 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 Archive in Avoca, New York.

Page 1 of 8

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

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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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.

Two railroads, one merged name, and a society to remember them

The Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society, Inc. exists to preserve and spread information about the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, the Erie Railroad, the Erie Lackawanna that grew out of them, and related lines. The society describes its website as a useful asset for members and a research and reference tool for anyone interested in these railroads. Its history pages trace the Lackawanna's long string of mergers, consolidations and leases back to its oldest piece, the Cayuga and Susquehanna Railroad, completed in 1834.

The society keeps an archive building on Main Street in Avoca, New York, beside the former DL&W and Erie Lackawanna main line, where the outline of old track #1 still shows in the street. Volunteers collect donations for the archive and produce an annual Erie Lackawanna calendar. A directory also lists an Erie Lackawanna Historical Society Inc. in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, so confirm details with the society directly.

How to explore the society's work

There are no posted public hours for a museum. The best way in is the society's website, erielackhs.org, with history pages on the railroads it covers, and its Facebook page, where it shares archive news and photos such as the ghost of the old main track by the Avoca archive building. The society's yearly calendar is sold through the company store.

Don’t miss

The Avoca archive buildingThe society's archive sits on Main Street in Avoca, New York, right along the former DL&W and Erie Lackawanna main line.
The Erie Lackawanna calendarThe 2027 calendar has been delivered to the company store, a yearly project that helps support the society.

Best for older rail fans

This is a research and archive society, not a family attraction with trains to climb or ride. Kids who are curious about old railroads might enjoy looking through the society's calendar or photos online with a parent. For a day out with young children, pick one of the operating railroads or train museums on this site's Pennsylvania page.

Plan your visit: tips for Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society

Start with the railroad history pages on erielackhs.org.
Follow the society on Facebook for archive news and calendar releases.
Contact the society through its website before trying to visit the Avoca archive.

Members and archive donors

The society is a membership organization that relies on members and donors. People have donated material to its archive, and the annual calendar and company store help fund the work. If you have Erie Lackawanna, DL&W or Erie photos or papers, or want to join, reach out through the society's website or Facebook page.

Find Erie Lackawanna country by train

The society works across the old Erie Lackawanna territory rather than at a single public site. To see Pennsylvania railroading in person, browse every train museum and railroad in Pennsylvania, or start from the full train museum guide.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor view from inside a dark tunnel looking out at a sunny beach and cliffs — From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

I love the idea of an old main line showing up as a ghost in the street in Avoca, a reminder that trains once roared right through town. Railroad history is a little like the tunnel in our book: it goes dark for a while, then someone shines a light on it and everyone cheers. Rally loves that bright moment. You can color the tunnel page from our coloring pages.

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.

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Every Amtrak route with kids

Work or volunteer at Erie Lackawanna Railroad 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.

Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society: 20 questions

What is the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

The Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society, Inc. is a historical society dedicated to preserving and sharing information about the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, the Erie Railroad, the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and Railway, and related lines. Its website is meant as a resource for members and a research tool for anyone interested.

Is the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society the same as the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

People search for both names, and they generally point to the same subject: the history of the Erie Lackawanna and its parent railroads. The society's current website is erielackhs.org. A directory also lists an Erie Lackawanna Historical Society Inc. in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, so contact the society directly if you need to confirm which group you are dealing with.

Where is the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society archive?

The society's archive building is on Main Street in Avoca, New York, beside the route of the former DL&W and Erie Lackawanna main line. Nearby, a well kept, privately owned station still stands by the seldom used former track #2. The society does not post public hours, so contact it before planning a visit.

Can I visit the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

The society does not post public visiting hours for a museum or its archive. Most people connect with it through its website, erielackhs.org, and its Facebook page. If you are a researcher hoping to use the archive in Avoca, New York, reach out through the website first to ask about access.

Does the Erie Lackawanna society have a Pennsylvania location?

A directory lists an Erie Lackawanna Historical Society Inc. at 14047 Todd Ave, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. The society's own posts point to an archive building in Avoca, New York. Because the listings differ, check with the society through erielackhs.org before traveling to either address.

Is there an Erie Lackawanna roster?

The society does not post a single equipment roster on its home page. The Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society describes its website as a research and reference tool for the DL&W, the Erie and the Erie Lackawanna, so erielackhs.org is the best place to look for roster information or to ask members who study the locomotives and cars.

What railroads does the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society cover?

The society covers the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, the Erie Railroad, the Erie Lackawanna Railroad and Railway formed from them, and related lines. Its history pages explain that the Lackawanna, like many eastern railroads, grew through mergers, consolidations and leases.

What was the oldest part of the Lackawanna railroad?

According to the society's railroad history pages, the oldest portion of the Lackawanna was the Cayuga and Susquehanna Railroad, completed in 1834. From there the railroad grew through a long series of mergers, consolidations and leases, a pattern shared by many eastern railroads of the era.

Does the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society make a calendar?

Yes. The society produces an annual Erie Lackawanna calendar, and it has posted that the 2027 calendar was delivered to its company store. Watch the society's Facebook page and website for word on when the calendar is available to order. Calendar sales help support the society's work.

Can I donate railroad items to the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

The society accepts donations to its archive and has shared news of picking up a donation from eastern Pennsylvania. If you have photos, documents or other material from the DL&W, the Erie or the Erie Lackawanna, contact the society through erielackhs.org or its Facebook page to discuss what it can take.

How do I join the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

The society is a membership organization, and its website is built partly as a resource for members. For current membership details and options, visit erielackhs.org, or message the society on Facebook with questions. The website is the best place to see what membership includes.

Does the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society have a museum?

The society does not run a public museum with regular hours. The society maintains an archive building in Avoca, New York, and shares history online. For railroad museums you can walk through, this site's Pennsylvania page lists many options across the state.

Can you ride a train with the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

No train rides are offered by the society, which focuses on archives and history. For an excursion, look at the heritage railroads listed on this site's Pennsylvania page. A separate group, the Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society, works on restoring Erie Lackawanna dining cars.

What is the Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society?

It is a separate preservation group listed on the Erie Lackawanna Railway Internet Resources site, erielackawanna.org. It has been restoring Erie Lackawanna Diner #741 and Phoebe Snow Diner #470. Contact that group directly for news on its restoration work, as it is not the same organization as the historical society.

What is erielackawanna.org?

Erielackawanna.org is the Erie Lackawanna Railway Internet Resources site, a collection of links for fans of the railroad. It points to the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society's official website, the Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society, and photo pages shared by members of an Erie Lackawanna mail list.

Is the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society on Facebook?

Yes. The society posts on Facebook about its archive, donations, calendar releases and railroad scenes, including a photo of the former main track #1 showing as a ghost line in Main Street by the Avoca archive building. Facebook is one of the easiest ways to send the society a message.

Is the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society good for kids?

It is aimed at researchers and longtime fans, not young children, and there are no trains to climb or ride. Older kids who love railroads may enjoy browsing the society's photos online or its yearly calendar. For a family outing, choose a train museum or excursion from this site's Pennsylvania listings.

How do I contact the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society?

Start with the society's website, erielackhs.org, or send a message through its Facebook page. The society does not publish a phone number or email address. If you are writing about archive donations or research access, include details about what you have or what you are looking for.

Does the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Historical Society have a store?

Yes. The society has mentioned a company store, where its 2027 Erie Lackawanna calendar was delivered for sale. For other items and how to order, check erielackhs.org or the society's Facebook page for current store information.

Where can I see trains in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has many railroad museums, heritage railroads and trolley museums, and this site's Pennsylvania state page lists them with guides to hours, rides and seasonal events. It is the easiest way to pair an interest in the Erie Lackawanna with a real train day out in the state.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil