Description

Join the Lehigh Valley Railroad Historical Society during their October Open House for an immersive journey into regional transportation history.

While the Lehigh Valley Railroad achieved national fame for its premier passenger service-the iconic Black Diamond-its extensive network of secondary lines formed the true economic backbone of Western New York and the Finger Lakes region. In this special presentation, titled "Route of the Black Diamond: The Lehigh Valley Railroad Rochester Branch," Geneseo railroad historian Tyler Heiman offers a deep dive into the local lines that connected regional communities directly to the industrial mainlines of the Northeast.

Date & Time: Sunday, October 18, 2026

Museum Open House: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Lecture Presentation: Begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. 

Location:

LVRRHS Station Museum

8 East High Street

Shortsville, NY 14548

What the presentation will explore:

The Mainline Connection: How the Rochester Branch funneled vital goods, agricultural products, and Pennsylvania anthracite coal through Ontario, Livingston, and Monroe counties.

The Hub at Rochester Junction: The historical significance of the massive double-track mainline hub in nearby Mendon and how it split to feed the Rochester and Hemlock branches.

Local Rail Remnants: Insights into surviving regional infrastructure, historic depots (including the Court Street passenger station that now houses Rochester's Dinosaur Bar-B-Que), and visible landmarks that remain part of local landscape.

Archival Artifacts: A curated look at rare photographs, maps, and vintage timetables that bring the golden age of local railroading back to life.

Additional Open house Features:

Admission to their open house is free (donations are gratefully welcome). Visitors are invited to explore the museum's extensive collection of authentic LVRR artifacts, view the operating N-scale model train layout, and browse the gift shop for used books and model trains.