Railroad Museum of Long Island in Riverhead and Greenport, New York

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Riverhead and Greenport, New York · Updated October 19, 2026 · 14 min read

Railroad museumTrain ridesTwo sites on the North Fork, open weekends in season

The Railroad Museum of Long Island, known as RMLI, has preserved the story of the Long Island Rail Road since 1990 across two North Fork sites: a restoration yard in Riverhead and the 1892 freight house at the end of the line in Greenport.

  • Created in 1990
  • Two sites: Riverhead and Greenport
  • 1964-65 World's Fair park train
  • Twenty rail cars and locomotives
  • Historic Lionel Layout
  • 1892 LIRR freight house

Railroad Museum of Long Island at a glance

Hours
Weekends in season: Riverhead 10 am to 4 pm, Greenport 10:30 am to 4:30 pm (Riverhead open Saturdays through December 19, 2026)
Admission
Riverhead: adults $15, ages 5 to 12 $8. Greenport: adults $9, ages 5 to 12 $5. Under 5 free at both
Train rides
World's Fair G-16 park train at Riverhead, included with admission, weather permitting
Seasonal events
Open House with Santa at Riverhead, Open House with Santa at Greenport, Sayville Village Holiday Fair Toy Train Outreach
Plan for
About 2 hours at Riverhead, about 1 hour at Greenport
Best for
Families with young kids and Long Island rail fans
Best ages
Toddlers to age 12
Parking
On site at Riverhead and in the municipal lot across Railroad Avenue
Accessibility
Museum buildings and grounds are handicapped accessible; rail cars have limited access.

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

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Railroad Museum of Long Island? 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 Riverhead and Greenport.

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.

Keeping the Long Island Rail Road's story at the end of the line

The Railroad Museum of Long Island was created in 1990 with a mission to restore, preserve and interpret the railroads that helped Long Island's towns and industries grow. Members call it RMLI, pronounced "RimLee," and the New York State Education Department officially recognizes the museum. Most visitors come from Suffolk County, but plenty arrive from Nassau County, New York City and much farther away.

The museum began in Greenport, which the museum points out was the eastern terminal of the Long Island Rail Road mainline from Brooklyn starting in 1844. RMLI settled into the railroad's 1892 freight house there, a building that over the years also served as a post office branch, a Railway Express Agency office and storage for LIRR Road 'n' Rail buses. About 3.4 acres of the old Greenport yard, including the passenger station, railroad dock, turntable and the museum, are listed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. Members and volunteers restored the freight house by hand.

The second site, in Riverhead, sits on land that was a lumber yard as far back as 1885 under the Corwin & Vail Lumber Company and that held the LIRR's Riverhead Yard, with a turntable, water tower and pump house, from 1891 to 1969. Today it is the museum's restoration site and visitor center, where rare passenger and freight cars and locomotives are worked on, some of them the last of their kind.

The biggest project in the shop now is LIRR steam locomotive 39. The museum is raising more than one million dollars to finish its restoration and return it to active service, a goal that would put a piece of commuter steam history back under its own power.

A hands-on yard in Riverhead and a freight house in Greenport

Riverhead is where most families start. Admission includes a ride, weather permitting, on the Allan Herschell G-16 miniature park train that ran at the Long Island Rail Road pavilion of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, brought back into service by museum volunteers. Inside the Freeman North Exhibit Hall is the Historic Lionel Layout, an O gauge display donated by Lionel in 2009, with twelve operating tracks and dozens of push-button accessories. Out in the yard you can climb into the 1960s LIRR C-68 caboose, try the GP-38 locomotive simulator, and walk among cars and locomotives in different stages of restoration. Two indoor layouts and an outdoor garden railway round out the site.

Greenport is smaller and quieter. Admission there covers the restored LIRR #14 wooden caboose, the exhibits inside the 1892 freight house, and a self-guided walk through the Greenport Historic Transportation District. Wikipedia also lists a 40-foot Pacific Car & Foundry boxcar and the snowplow W-83 "JAWS" built by LIRR shop forces. Across both sites the museum counts twenty rail cars and locomotives, plus a research library in Riverhead open by appointment.

Don’t miss

  1. World's Fair G-16 park trainThis 16-inch gauge Allan Herschell train carried visitors at the LIRR pavilion of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair, and volunteers restored it so kids can ride it today.
  2. Historic Lionel LayoutA 14 by 40 foot O gauge layout modeled on Lionel's 1940s New York City showroom, built by Lionel employees in 1992 and donated to the museum in 2009.
  3. LIRR steam locomotive 39The museum's major restoration project, with a fundraising goal of more than one million dollars to return it to active service.
  4. LIRR C-68 caboose and GP-38 simulatorKids can step inside a 1960s caboose and then take a simulated run along the tracks in Riverhead.
  5. 1892 Greenport freight houseThe museum's first home, restored by members and volunteers and part of a historic rail yard on the State and National Registers.
  6. Snowplow W-83 "JAWS"A snowplow built by LIRR shop forces, displayed at Greenport alongside the 1927 wooden caboose and a 40-foot boxcar.

Park train rides, a caboose and a wall of buttons

Riverhead is the better pick for small children. The World's Fair park train ride is included with admission when the weather allows, the Lionel layout has buttons that make things move, and the yard lets kids put on the brakes, peek inside the caboose and drive the GP-38 simulator. The gift shop feels like an old hobby shop, with wooden toy trains, books and puzzles for little ones.

Greenport works well for older kids who like seeing a real station area and wooden caboose, and children under 5 are free at both sites. The museum buildings and grounds are handicapped accessible, though the rail cars themselves have limited access, so plan for a parent to help with steps into the caboose.

Plan your visit: tips for Railroad Museum of Long Island

  • Start in Riverhead if you have little ones: the park train ride and Lionel layout are there.
  • Ride the LIRR Greenport Scoot between the two sites on summer and fall weekends; buy tickets from the conductor.
  • The Riverhead site is directly across the tracks from the Riverhead LIRR station, so you can arrive by train.
  • The park train runs weather permitting, so check the forecast.
  • Researchers can request an appointment at the RMLI Library in Riverhead.

The museum's holiday season is built around Open House with Santa days at both sites, with Riverhead hosting on the first weekend of December 2026 and Greenport the following weekend. Volunteers also take toy trains out to community events such as the Sayville Village Holiday Fair. For more December rides and visits with Santa around the state, see our guide to Christmas train rides in New York.

Members, volunteers and the push to steam up 39

RMLI is a membership organization, and its members and volunteers restored the Greenport freight house and brought the World's Fair park train back into service. Visitors can help by buying admission, shopping in the gift shop (every purchase supports the mission), joining as a member, or giving to the Steam Up 39 fund for locomotive 39.

Rail museums across Long Island Sound

The closest museums on this site are on the Connecticut shore, about 17 miles away as the crow flies: the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat and the Connecticut River Museum in Essex. The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven is about 29 miles off. Staying on this side of the water, browse every train museum in New York.

Every train museum in New York

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

What I love about this museum is that you can buy your ticket from a real conductor on the Greenport Scoot and ride the train between its two sites. In our book, Mr. Conductor in his blue uniform holds out a hand to help Rally aboard, and I picture that same kindness on a weekend train through the North Fork farm fields. My kids are learning to read, and moments like that are the ones they ask for again.

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 Railroad Museum of Long Island?

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.

Railroad Museum of Long Island: 20 questions families ask

Where is the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

The Railroad Museum of Long Island has two sites on the North Fork. The main Riverhead restoration site and visitor center is at 416 Griffing Avenue, just north of the tracks and across from the Riverhead LIRR station. The Greenport site is at 440 4th Street in Greenport, in the old freight house near the end of the LIRR line.

What is at the Railroad Museum of Long Island in Riverhead?

Riverhead is the hands-on site. Admission includes a ride on the 1964-65 World's Fair park train when weather allows, the Historic Lionel Layout in the Freeman North Exhibit Hall, the LIRR C-68 caboose, a GP-38 locomotive simulator, all exhibits and a self-guided walk through the restoration yard, where rare cars and locomotives are worked on.

What is at the Railroad Museum of Long Island in Greenport?

The Greenport site occupies the Long Island Rail Road's 1892 freight house, restored by museum members and volunteers. Admission covers the LIRR #14 wooden caboose, the exhibits inside, and a self-guided walking tour of the Greenport Historic Transportation District, part of a 3.4 acre rail yard listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

What are the Railroad Museum of Long Island hours?

As of October 2026, Riverhead is open 10 am to 4 pm and Greenport is open 10:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekends during the 2026 season. The museum's hours notice says Riverhead is open on Saturdays through December 19, 2026. Hours change with the season, so check rmli.org or call (631) 727-7920 before you go.

How much are Railroad Museum of Long Island tickets?

As of October 2026, Riverhead admission is $15 for adults 13 and up and $8 for children 5 to 12. Greenport admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 12. Children under 5 are free at both sites. Riverhead admission includes the park train ride, weather permitting.

Can you ride a train at the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

Yes, at Riverhead. Admission includes a ride, weather permitting, on the Allan Herschell G-16 miniature train from the LIRR pavilion at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. The museum does not run a full-size excursion train, but it suggests riding the Long Island Rail Road itself between its two sites.

What is the Greenport Scoot?

The Greenport Scoot is a Long Island Rail Road train the museum recommends for traveling between its Riverhead and Greenport sites. It runs once each way on weekends from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, past North Fork farm fields, and you buy tickets from the conductor on board. Check the LIRR schedule for current times.

Can you visit both Railroad Museum of Long Island sites in one day?

Yes. The museum encourages it, and its site describes a same-day visit that starts and ends at Riverhead, using the LIRR Greenport Scoot on weekends between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. Plan around the train schedule, since it runs once each way, or drive between the sites along Route 25.

What is the Historic Lionel Layout at the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

It is a 14 by 40 foot O gauge layout based on Lionel's 1940s New York City showroom display. Lionel employees built it in 1992, ran it at the company's Michigan facility until 2008, and donated it to the museum in 2009. It has twelve operating tracks and many push-button accessories that visitors can activate.

What upcoming events does the Railroad Museum of Long Island have?

As of October 2026, the events calendar lists a Toy Train Outreach at the Sayville Village Holiday Fair on November 28, Open House with Santa at Riverhead on December 5 and 6, a member appreciation dinner on December 5, and Open House with Santa at Greenport on December 12 and 13. See the events page at rmli.org for details.

When is the Railroad Museum of Long Island holiday open house with Santa?

As of October 2026, Open House with Santa is scheduled at Riverhead on December 5 and 6 from 11:30 am to 3 pm, and at Greenport on December 12 and 13 from 10:30 am to 2 pm. Check the museum's events page or call (631) 727-7920 to confirm times and any ticketing before you go.

What is LIRR steam locomotive 39 at the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

Locomotive 39 is a Long Island Rail Road steam engine the museum is restoring. RMLI is raising more than one million dollars through its Steam Up 39 campaign to finish the work and bring the engine into active service, preserving a piece of Long Island commuter history. Donations can be made through rmli.org.

Is the Railroad Museum of Long Island good for toddlers?

Yes, especially the Riverhead site. Little ones can ride the World's Fair park train, push buttons on the Lionel layout, and climb into a caboose, and children under 5 get in free. The gift shop sells wooden toy trains and puzzles. The rail cars have limited access, so expect to lift small kids up some steps.

Is the Railroad Museum of Long Island wheelchair accessible?

The museum says its buildings and grounds are handicapped accessible, while the rail cars have limited access. That means exhibit halls and the yard are reachable, but stepping into the caboose may not be possible for everyone. Call Riverhead at (631) 727-7920 or Greenport at (631) 477-0439 to ask about specific needs.

Where do you park at the Railroad Museum of Long Island in Riverhead?

Parking is available on site at 416 Griffing Avenue and in the municipal parking lot across Railroad Avenue. You can also skip the car: the museum is directly across the tracks from the Riverhead LIRR station, and Suffolk County Bus routes S58, S62, S92 and 8A serve that station.

How long should I spend at the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

Plan about two hours at Riverhead to ride the park train, watch the Lionel layout and walk the restoration yard, and about an hour at Greenport for the freight house, caboose and historic district walk. Seeing both sites with a ride on the Greenport Scoot makes a full day.

When was the Railroad Museum of Long Island founded?

The Railroad Museum of Long Island was created in 1990. It started in the 1892 LIRR freight house in Greenport, the eastern terminal of the mainline from Brooklyn, and later added the Riverhead restoration site on the former Corwin & Vail lumber property and LIRR Riverhead Yard. The New York State Education Department officially recognizes the museum.

Does the Railroad Museum of Long Island have a gift shop?

Yes. The museum describes its shop as more of an old world hobby shop, with wooden toy trains for little ones, books, puzzles, trains of all sizes and railroad artifacts. Every purchase supports the museum's mission, and both the Riverhead and Greenport locations have shops.

Can I do research at the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

Yes, by appointment. The RMLI Library at Riverhead holds archived collections of Long Island railroading images, film, video, paper records, artifacts and ephemera. Researchers should request an appointment ahead of time through the contact form at rmli.org or by calling (631) 727-7920.

How can I support or volunteer with the Railroad Museum of Long Island?

You can become a member, volunteer, shop in the gift shop or donate to the Steam Up 39 fund. Volunteers restored the Greenport freight house and the World's Fair park train, so hands-on help matters here. Use the contact form at rmli.org or call (631) 727-7920 to ask about membership and volunteering.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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