Hardworking members of the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum (OBRM) presented a picture of how they arrived at becoming a 401 C-3 organization with two landmark buildings and certification from the New York State Department of Education. They spoke at the annual meeting of the Main Street Association held at the Doubleday Babcock Center on Nov. 14.

OBRM president Steve Torborg said since their founding in 1994 the group has raised $150,000 which all went back into the museum. The group has volunteered 40,000 man-hours to creating the museum and the preservation of its rolling stock.

Ben Jankowski, OBRM chairman of the board of trustees said their mission is to preserve the history of Oyster Bay. As explained in their brochure: "The Oyster Bay Railroad Museum in conjunction with the Town of Oyster Bay is working to create a first class museum that will depict the colorful history of the Long Island Rail Road and its impact upon the hamlet of Oyster Bay. It is our intention to create an experience that will be both educational and enjoyable for the entire family. Through interactive displays and hands-on learning experiences, visitors will know what it was to work, ride and be a part of the Long Island Rail Road's history."

Mr. Jankowski added that there is no other railroad museum in a 50-mile radius of New York City. He said the name change of the group on July 26, 2006 when they went from the Friends of Locomotive #35 to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum was when they were recognized by the NYS Department of Education and became a 501 3-C. "With the change of the status of the group we were eligible for funding opportunities," said Mr. Jankowski.

They plan to restore Locomotive #35 to active use. It was one of the last locomotives to operate in Oyster Bay. Mr. Jankowski sees the railroad museum as a gateway to Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and a catalyst for the restoration of Audrey Avenue. They own eight pieces of equipment (trains) with one in Oyster Bay, six in Mitchel Field and one on loan in Mineola as part of their centennial celebration. In 2001 Locomotive #35 moved to Oyster Bay.

They see their work as following the Oyster Bay Hamlet Plan as they restore the railroad station house that opened in the 1880s; and was restored in 1902 when Theodore Roosevelt used the line; the turntable was used for 30 years as a destination for school children learning about the railroad.

They spent $34,000 in 2004 to restore the station house exterior. The interior was gutted thanks to volunteers from the Oyster Bay Fire Co. #1.

Mr. Torborg said over 100 people are members of the museum - from teens to seniors, men and women from all walks of life with all types of skills. "There are jobs for everybody," he said. "New members are always welcome." And, he added, "All the work is done by volunteers."

He said that being on the National Register of Historic Places means, "It protects the building from ever being demolished." He said the group also has a use agreement with Nassau County designating them as the official caretaker for Locomotive #35, a unique privilege.

The group is working on their 1964 World's Fair cab which will be an interactive display when completed. He said, "Kids will go inside the cab and can ring the bell and play with the switches." They are fund raising for the work and the car should be ready for spring/summer 2007.

This winter, the turntable will be restored. Trustee Gary Farkash was very pleased with the turntable, saying happily, that it moves. The ball bearings in the mechanism still work. They are currently working on replacing the concrete base of the turntable pit. When it is fully restored, they will repeat history by having school children visit the turntable to see it in action and to get milk and cookies as a perk of their trip.

Mr. Farkash spoke of the benefits to the community or, as he put it: "What's in it for you!"

First he said, is that two Oyster Bay landmarks have been preserved; it is educational for kids, commuters and schools. Then there is great community pride engendered by the project. Mr. Farkash said, "People come by and we give them a tour." As well as encourage them to join the group and volunteer to help in the work.

Mr. Farkash said there is also revenue that will result from having the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum in the hamlet. He said, "Every $1 spent on the museum means $2 to the region in terms of jobs and tourism dollars. Whenever we do work here we spend money on food, supplies and gasoline."

Another benefit is using and fulfilling the slogan of Raynham Hall Museum: "Where history comes alive."

They said that the very successful Danbury Railroad Museum in Connecticut is similar in size to theirs which they see as a positive. They hope to be able to hold Thomas the Tank Engine weekends in the future.

They are already working with the community: they had three Oyster Bay High School kids working with them; and are now working with C.W. Post on their archival collection.

You can reach them at OBRM.org or LIRR 35@aol.com and you are welcome to send donations to OBRM; P.O. Box 335, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.

The OBRM volunteers regularly appear at train shows where they sell Locomotive #35 items to raise funds. At the Oyster Festival they had the Long Island Garden Railroad Club set up a 48 ft. display. Member Wayne Beers secured a miniature train ride from Nunley's Amusements in Baldwin: they charged 25 cents a ride and children loved it.

The museum will be open on Dec. 16-17 as part of the holiday festivities in Oyster Bay. It will feature an "N" gauge track set up for the holidays. Steve Ford of Willis Hobby is donating a train set for their raffle.

The OBRM is on track and the members are driving the engine of their own success.