National New York Central Railroad Museum

National New York Central Railroad Museum
Reporting mark	NNYX
Locale	Elkhart, Indiana
Dates of operation	1987–
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters	Elkhart, Indiana

The National New York Central Railroad Museum (reporting mark NNYX)^[1] is a railroad museum located in Elkhart, Indiana that preserves the history of the New York Central Railroad.

The museum is opposite the Elkhart Amtrak station and includes several outdoor equipment displays, indoor model railroads, relics from the NYC and other railroad related exhibits including educational displays pertaining to the history of railroading. The museum is expanding its dedication to the preservation of both local and national railroad heritage.

History

Elkhart was a vital link between East and West during the growth of railroading in the United States. In 1833 the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway was established and built a line through the town. The LS&MS was acquired by the NYC in 1914.

Equipment collection

The NYC EMD E8 #4085 on display at the National New York Central Railroad Museum

A restored Conrail bay window Caboose on display at the National New York Central Railroad Museum

Steam locomotives

• New York Central 3001 (Alco #69338 of 1940): The largest surviving example of NYC modern steam power technology and the only surviving L-3a class Mohawk. It is one of two surviving NYC 4-8-2 engines. This steam-powered locomotive was one of the fastest locomotives of its time; primarily designed for use in the mountains, it often hauled passengers at speeds up to 79 mph (127 km/h) along New York Central's "Water Level Route."

Diesel locomotives

• 1953 EMD E8 - NYC #4085, was the lead locomotive of the eastbound 20th Century Limited when it left Chicago, Illinois bound for New York City for the last time on December 2, 1967. With the help of Plexiglas side panels, the visitor can view the inside of the engine compartment of this locomotive. Parts are painted in multiple colors and a wall chart explains what each part is and its function. Visitors can tour the cab and sit in the engineer's seat.

Electric locomotives

• Penn Central 4882 (Altoona Works, 1939): A Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 painted in Penn Central livery. A legend in its own time. One of the fastest locomotives of its day, reaching speeds up to 100 mph (160 km/h). Designed with the assistance of the famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy.* A South Shore line car from 1926.

Cabooses

• 1974 Conrail bay window caboose #21230. This caboose's exterior has been fully restored. Interior restoration has just begun. This is one of the many cabooses which the museum owns. Several more of various designs are slated to be restored.

Other equipment

• The museum displays several Pullman Company railcars, a 150 ton (165 Tonnes) Crane, 2 Steel B&O freight cars, A 250 ton (275 Tonnes) Self-propelled crane, a Railroad Post Office, and a PRR Diner.

Interior displays

• Model railroads
• New York Central Railroad memorabilia

Building and grounds

The building of the museum consists of a modified New York Central 20th Century Limited Train set and a 100 year old freight house. One enters the museum through the front lobby and passes through a 1915 passenger car to reach the main display area inside a 100 year old freight depot. At the rear of the train you will find an authentic observation car.

Live entertainment

The museum sits directly aside of one of the busiest railroad lines in the Midwestern United States. The Norfolk Southern mainline provides ample live entertainment outside the building. A train rolls by on the main line about every 15 minutes.

See also

• NYC Mohawk
• 20th Century Limited
• List of heritage railroads in the United States

References

1. ^ Railinc, Search MARKs, accessed September 2009

External links

• National New York Central Railroad Museum The Official Website

Coordinates: 41°40′48″N 85°58′15″W / 41.679868°N 85.970893°W / 41.679868; -85.970893