Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, New York

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Oyster Bay, New York · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Railroad museumTrain ridesOpen weekends, April to mid-November, 12 to 4 pm

The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum preserves the 1889 Long Island Rail Road station where President Theodore Roosevelt came and went, and a rail yard holding Locomotive #35, the last steam locomotive to operate on Long Island.

  • Station built in 1889
  • Theodore Roosevelt's home station
  • Locomotive #35, Long Island's last steamer
  • Rides on an operating turntable
  • Locomotive simulators
  • Volunteer effort since 1990

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum at a glance

Hours
Saturdays and Sundays, 12 pm to 4 pm, April to mid-November
Admission
Ages 18 to 61 $9, 62 and up $8, ages 6 to 17 $7, 5 and under and members free
Train rides
Turntable rides in the Rail Display Yard on Saturdays in season, weather permitting
Seasonal events
Rail Fest, Annual Model Train Show Fundraiser
Plan for
About 1.5 to 2 hours
Best for
Families, Theodore Roosevelt fans and Long Island rail fans
Best ages
Ages 3 to 12

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Oyster Bay Railroad 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 Oyster Bay.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

From a vandalized steam engine to a station President Roosevelt used

The museum started with one locomotive and a few volunteers. In October 1990 they began cleaning and painting steam Locomotive #35, the very last steam locomotive to operate on Long Island, which had been sitting at Mitchell Field and had been hit by vandals. The volunteers became the Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee under the Nassau County Parks Department, then incorporated in 1994 as Friends of Locomotive #35 to raise money and find the engine a proper home.

Somewhere along the way, restoring one engine grew into a plan for a full railroad museum. In 2006 the group reincorporated as the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, and set about gathering more historic equipment and raising money to restore the Oyster Bay station and its turntable.

The station itself has a remarkable past. The Long Island Rail Road built it in 1889 and used it for 110 years, until 1999. It served all of Oyster Bay, and it often served the town's most famous resident, President Theodore Roosevelt, traveling to and from his home at Sagamore Hill. The building became a New York State Landmark in 2004; the next year the Town of Oyster Bay acquired it and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Restoration of the station's interior and exterior is a multi-year project, and the museum is still seeking donors and funding to finish it. The volunteers who started with a paintbrush on Loc 35 have kept that same patience through every stage.

A station, a park walk and a yard full of rail cars

One admission covers both locations, which sit only steps apart through Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. Inside the Historic Station Building at 1 Railroad Avenue you will find interactive exhibits, railroad artifacts and an operating O gauge model train layout. The center of the building holds the current exhibit, Theodore Roosevelt: The Man In The Arena, twelve photo panels showing TR at the station, speaking from the rear platforms of observation cars, on his 1903 train trip through the West, on his 1906 visit to the Panama Canal construction, and with Roxey, the LIRR's mascot. A free augmented reality app called TRAR brings Roosevelt to life on your phone.

The Rail Display Yard, at the corner of Bay and Bayview Avenues, holds Locomotive #35 and full-size vintage rolling stock. It also has locomotive simulators, and the museum's turntable, which it describes as the only operating locomotive turntable on Long Island. Visitors can ride the turntable on Saturdays in season, weather permitting. Staff are on hand to answer questions, and a gift shop sells rail-themed items.

Don’t miss

  1. Locomotive #35The last steam locomotive to operate on Long Island, and the engine whose rescue in 1990 started the whole museum.
  2. Turntable ridesThe museum says this is Long Island's only operating turntable for turning locomotives, and visitors can ride it on Saturdays in season.
  3. Locomotive simulatorsA favorite in the Rail Display Yard, featured in a TrainsAreFun.com article the museum shares on its site.
  4. Theodore Roosevelt: The Man In The ArenaTwelve panels of photographs and stories about TR's travels by rail, set inside the station that was his home stop as president.
  5. The 1889 Historic Station BuildingA New York State Landmark on the National Register, now home to exhibits, artifacts and an operating O gauge layout.

Ride a turntable, drive a simulator, find TR

The turntable ride is the highlight for most children: it is the machine railroads used to spin locomotives around, and here kids get to ride it on Saturdays when the weather cooperates. The locomotive simulators in the yard let them try the controls, and inside the station the O gauge layout and the TRAR app, which makes President Roosevelt appear on screen, keep younger visitors busy.

Children 5 and under get in free. The walk between the station and the yard goes through Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, which makes an easy stretch for small legs. The yard is outdoors near the shore, so dress for the weather.

Plan your visit: tips for Oyster Bay Railroad Museum

  • Go on a Saturday if you want the turntable ride.
  • One ticket covers both the station building and the rail yard.
  • Use the free TRAR app on your phone inside the station.
  • The yard sits near the coast and can close in bad weather, so check the museum's homepage on stormy days.
  • Members get in free all year and save 10% in the gift shop.

The museum's big outdoor day is Rail Fest each fall, though the 2026 edition was canceled because of a forecast of heavy rain and strong winds near the coast. In late November it holds its Annual Model Train Show Fundraiser at the Hicksville Community Center, a family weekend of trains and toys. For more holiday ideas around the state, see our list of Christmas train rides in New York.

Volunteers who started with a paintbrush

The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that depends on volunteers, members and donors. Members get free admission all year and a gift shop discount, and donations go to the Station Restoration Campaign, museum operations and the Locomotive 35 restoration. Call (516) 558-7036 to ask about volunteering.

More rail history around Long Island Sound

The SoNo Switch Tower Museum in South Norwalk is about 17 miles away as the crow flies, across the Sound. The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn is about 27 miles west, and the Danbury Railway Museum is about 36 miles off. For the full list, see train museums across New York.

Every train museum in New York

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Locomotive #35 was the last steam engine to run on Long Island, and I imagine its cab steps feel enormous to a small child. They would to Rally, too. In our book his little corgi legs cannot manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. Every family has a version of that lift, and it is one of my favorite pages to read aloud with my kids.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Oyster Bay Railroad 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.

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum: 20 questions visitors ask

Where is the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum has two locations in Oyster Bay, New York, a short walk apart through Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. The Historic Station Building is at 1 Railroad Avenue, and the Rail Display Yard is at the intersection of Bay and Bayview Avenues. Mail goes to PO Box 335, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.

What are the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum hours?

As of October 2026, both the station building and the rail yard are open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 pm, April through mid-November. The museum is closed weekdays and in winter. Weather can close the yard on short notice, so check obrm.org or the museum's Facebook page before heading out.

How much are Oyster Bay Railroad Museum tickets?

As of October 2026, admission is $9 for ages 18 to 61, $8 for ages 62 and up, $7 for ages 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and under and for members. One ticket covers both the historic station building and the rail display yard. Check obrm.org for current prices.

What is the locomotive simulator at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

The museum has locomotive simulators in its Rail Display Yard that let visitors try a locomotive's controls. The museum calls them an exciting highlight and links to a TrainsAreFun.com article about them on its homepage. They are available during yard hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 pm in season.

Can you ride anything at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

Yes. Visitors can ride the museum's turntable, which it describes as the only operating locomotive turntable on Long Island. Rides are offered every Saturday in season, weather permitting. There is no regular train excursion, so the turntable and the simulators are the hands-on draws in the yard.

Is the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum the same as the Oyster Bay LIRR museum or train museum?

Yes. People search for it as the Oyster Bay train museum or the Oyster Bay LIRR museum, but its official name is the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, or OBRM. It preserves the Long Island Rail Road's 1889 Oyster Bay station and Long Island railroad equipment, including Locomotive #35.

What is Locomotive #35 at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

Locomotive #35 is the very last steam locomotive to operate on Long Island. Volunteers began cleaning and painting it in October 1990 after it was vandalized at Mitchell Field, and that effort grew into the museum. It is displayed in the Rail Display Yard, and its restoration is one of the causes donors can support.

What is the Theodore Roosevelt connection at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

The Oyster Bay station was Theodore Roosevelt's home train station while he was president, and he often used it traveling to and from Sagamore Hill. The current exhibit, Theodore Roosevelt: The Man In The Arena, uses twelve panels to show TR at the station, his 1903 western trip, his 1906 Panama Canal visit and his link to LIRR mascot Roxey.

What is the TRAR app at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

TRAR is the museum's free augmented reality app. Visitors use it on their phones to see Theodore Roosevelt come to life inside the historic station building. It pairs well with the Roosevelt exhibit and is a fun way to get older kids interested in the station's most famous commuter.

When was the Oyster Bay railroad station built?

The Long Island Rail Road built the Oyster Bay station in 1889, and it served for 110 years until 1999. It was designated a New York State Landmark in 2004, and in 2005 the Town of Oyster Bay acquired the building and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

How did the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum get started?

It started in October 1990 when volunteers began restoring Locomotive #35. They worked as the Locomotive #35 Restoration Committee under Nassau County Parks, incorporated in 1994 as Friends of Locomotive #35, and reincorporated in 2006 as the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit focused on a full railroad museum.

Is the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum good for kids?

Yes. Kids can ride the turntable on Saturdays, try the locomotive simulators, watch the O gauge model layout and use the TRAR app to see Theodore Roosevelt appear. Children 5 and under are free. The walk between the two sites is short and goes through a waterfront park, so it is manageable for young families.

What is Rail Fest at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

Rail Fest is the museum's fall community festival. The 2026 Rail Fest, set for September 26, was canceled because of heavy rain and strong winds in the forecast, since the coastal grounds can flood and high winds threaten tents and equipment. Watch obrm.org and Facebook for next year's date.

When is the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum model train show?

As of October 2026, the Annual Model Train Show Fundraiser is set for Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, from 11 am to 4 pm, at the Hicksville Community Center, coordinated by Trainville Hobby Depot. It is a family weekend of trains and toys that raises money for the museum.

Is the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum near the water?

Yes. The museum notes that it sits near the coast, and its two locations are linked by Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. Because of that, heavy rain and strong winds can flood the grounds or close the outdoor yard, as happened on September 26, 2026. On stormy days, check the homepage before you go.

How long does a visit to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum take?

Most families can see the station building and the rail yard in about an hour and a half to two hours. Allow extra time on a Saturday if you plan to wait for a turntable ride or try the simulators, and for the short park walk between the two sites.

Does the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum have a gift shop?

Yes. The museum gift shop sells rail-themed merchandise, and every purchase supports the collection and preservation work. Members receive a 10% discount. The shop is open during regular museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 pm in season.

Is there a membership at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

Yes. Members get free admission all year and 10% off in the gift shop, and membership helps fund the museum's restoration work. You can join through obrm.org or call (516) 558-7036 to learn more about membership levels and upcoming member programs.

How can I volunteer or donate to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

The museum relies on volunteers, members and donors. Gifts can go to the Station Restoration Campaign, museum operations or the Locomotive 35 restoration. To volunteer, call (516) 558-7036, email info@obrm.org, or fill out the contact form on obrm.org.

What train museums are near the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum?

The SoNo Switch Tower Museum in South Norwalk, Connecticut is about 17 miles away as the crow flies, across Long Island Sound. The New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn is about 27 miles, the Maywood Station Museum in New Jersey about 28, and the Danbury Railway Museum about 36 miles away.

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Kelsey Cecil
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