Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum to Hold Annual Train Show September 20th

by NYPA.webadmin Posted on

By David Hamilton

The Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum will once again host its annual train show at the museum complex on Depot Lane in Schoharie, NY, on Saturday, September 20th. Dozens of vendors of collectible toy trains, models, books, and railroad antiques are expected to fill the museum’s historic mill building for the sixth year in a row. This event is the main fundraiser to support the preservation of the structures on the site, and further develop the museum.

Several industrial buildings are preserved at the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum Complex, including a coal weigh station and mill. Photo by Bill Moll.
Several industrial buildings are preserved at the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum Complex, including a coal weigh station and mill. Photo by Bill Moll.

The train stations and surrounding industrial buildings in Schoharie somehow survived after the railroad shut down in 1942, and have been restored by the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association. This organization was formed in 1961 to preserve the town’s 1743 Palatine farmhouse, and in the early 1970’s began developing the Schoharie Valley Railroad Complex. Today, the passenger and freight stations, along with an adjacent coal company weigh station, house historical exhibits and the former mill and creamery buildings are used for special events.

In addition to displays of memorabilia from the railroad and local businesses, the museum is also home to several pieces of railroad rolling stock, including a 1914 wooden caboose, and an original 1891 passenger car from the Middleburgh & Schoharie Railroad. Visitors to the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum are given a glimpse back in time to the days when the railroad was the economic lifeline for rural communities across New York State.

Local railroad historical societies, historians, and authors exhibit at the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum’s annual train show. Dave Hamilton photo.
Local railroad historical societies, historians, and authors exhibit at the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum’s annual train show. Dave Hamilton photo.

The museum is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4pm. The train show on Saturday, September 20th, will be open from 10am to 4pm. Food and refreshments will be available, and the $6 adult admission fee (kids are free) supports the ongoing preservation efforts of the association.

On September 27th and 28th, the 49th Annual Fall Antiques in Schoharie show will also be held at the depot complex. This popular event features antique dealers and craft vendors on the museum grounds and inside the historic buildings. The museum complex is located at 143 Depot Lane, just off Route 30 in Schoharie, NY, and a five-minute drive from Interstate 88. Information about the museum and these events is available on the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association website at www.schoharieheritage.org or by calling 518-295-7505.

The original Schoharie Valley Railroad station is now home to a museum that preserves the transportation history of the region. Photo by Bill Moll.
The original Schoharie Valley Railroad station is now home to a museum that preserves the transportation history of the region. Bill Moll photo.
Toy train collectors and model railroaders peruse the offerings of the vendors at the museum’s annual train show. Dave Hamilton photo.
Toy train collectors and model railroaders peruse the offerings of the vendors at the museum’s annual train show. Dave Hamilton photo.
In addition to toy train dealers, vendors of authentic railroad memorabilia participate in the museum’s train show.
Dave Hamilton photo.

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