named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
The Semaphore
Monthly newsletter providing updates on museum activities, regional railroad history, and current events, distributed to members and available by subscription.
Tourist Railroad Operations
Operates scenic train rides and public excursions using historic rail equipment for visitors and members.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Railroad and Canal Heritage Preservation 2 activities
- Operate a demonstration railroad for public education and heritage tourismOperates a two-mile demonstration railroad offering monthly train rides from May through December, including special events such as fall foliage excursions, to educate the public about Rochester's railroad history. Resumed ticketed train operations at Industry Depot in 2015 and provides members with year-round access to train rides.
- Preserve and restore historic railroad equipment and infrastructureMaintains and restores a collection of over 40 pieces of historic railroad rolling stock, including operating diesel-electric locomotives, steam locomotives, cabooses, freight and passenger cars, and historic structures such as the Industry Depot and Midway Station. Constructed a covered Restoration Building in 1997 to support year-round preservation work.
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Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
- Engage members and volunteers in museum operations and preservationOrganizes regular volunteer work sessions on Tuesdays and Saturdays and relies on volunteer efforts to maintain historic trains, buildings, and grounds, and to operate train rides. Offers volunteer opportunities to members and the public as part of its preservation mission.
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Regular Membership Meetings 1 activity
- Host membership meetings and member-exclusive programsHosts monthly membership meetings with guest speakers and organizes special events and programs exclusively for members to foster engagement with Rochester's railroading heritage.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Produce and distribute educational publicationsProduces and distributes a free monthly newsletter, 'The Semaphore,' to members, featuring museum updates, local railroad news, and regional railroad history.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$246K
Contributions & grants$63K26%
Program service revenue$132K53%
Investment income$42K17%
Other revenue$9K
expenses
Total expenses$233K
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$564K
Cash$70K
Investments$69K
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$563K
Liquid reserves7.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +21.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 11
- Dana Fuellhart — Trustee
- David Kaiser — Trustee
- David Kehrer — Recording Secretary
- David Peet — Treasurer
- David Shields — Trustee
- Jeremy Tuke — Corresponding Secretary
- Joseph Nugent — Trustee
- Justin Carmona — Trustee
- Lisa Talty — Trustee
- Peter Gores — Vice-President
- William Marcotte — Trustee
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Barry Virgilio Partner — John Virgilio's son who coordinated the transfer of the locomotive and artifacts to RGVRRM after his father's passing.
- Bethlehem Car Co. Partner — Builder of baggage car No. 633 in 1925.
- Bill Meister Partner — Facilitated initial connection between RGVRRM and the Virgilio family in 2017 by arranging a private tour.
- Buffalo, USA Foundation Partner — Provided the opportunity to acquire B&H 5 through its Flour-by-Rail Legacy Project.
- Chessie System Funder — Donated former B&O caboose C2631 to the museum in 1979 for preservation.
- Conrail Partner — Provided access via the Avon Industrial Track, which museum volunteers connected to their siding for moving car No. 633.
- Eastman Kodak Co. Funder — Donated the GE 80-ton switcher EK 6, the museum’s first locomotive, in 1981.
- Erie Lackawanna Railroad Government — Purchased the abandoned Industry depot from the Erie Lackawanna Railroad in 1971.
- Erie Lackawanna Railway Partner — Purchased the Industry Depot from Erie Lackawanna Railway in 1971 for $1.00.
- General Railway Signal Partner — Provided storage for baggage car No. 633 in Rochester prior to its move to the museum site.
- LA&L Partner — Hosts the mainline adjacent to which the museum constructed a new siding for storing baggage car No. 633.
- Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Partner — Collaborated with the museum in the effort to preserve locomotive B&H 5.
- Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Partner — Cooperates with the museum to operate annual fall foliage excursions and provides access for rail connections.
- Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Partner — Partner railroad that donated Caboose 2603 to the museum in 2023.
- Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad Partner — Receives donated locomotives and maintains a collaborative relationship with the railroad for preservation efforts.
- Mortimer Railroad Historical Society Partner — Acquired locomotive and artifacts from the estate of John Virgilio, founder of the Mortimer Railroad Historical Society.
- National Railway Historical Society Network — Original Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, third-oldest chapter in the organization.
- National Railway Historical Society Network — Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society adopted the depot as its home and foundation for the museum.
- New York Museum of Transportation Partner — Connected via a two-mile rail link completed in 1993, enabling joint public track car rides.
- Pfaudler Co. Partner — Provided siding space for storage of baggage car No. 633 in 1978.
- Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum Partner — Primary organization managing membership, operations, and preservation activities.
- Rochester Transit Corp. Partner — Engaged in a campaign with the museum that led to the preservation of Rochester Subway Car 60.
- Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Partner — Partnered with the museum to facilitate the acquisition of locomotive B&H 5.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Heritage Education Through Operational Demonstrationmethodology: heritage-education-through-operationBy operating historic railroad equipment in a tourist railroad setting, we educate the public about local railroad history because experiential engagement deepens understanding and retention of historical context.
- Regionally-Focused Historical Stewardshipmethodology: regionally-focused preservationBy concentrating preservation and educational efforts on railroad equipment with direct ties to the Rochester area, we strengthen community connection to local history because regional relevance increases public engagement and contextual authenticity.
- Volunteer-Driven Preservation and Educationmethodology: volunteer-driven restorationBy engaging volunteers in hands-on restoration and operation of historic railroad equipment, we sustain both the preservation of artifacts and public education because participatory involvement builds stewardship, transfers technical knowledge, and enhances authenticity in educational programming.