The U.S. state of New York is known as the Empire State. Why? Most people would think that it is because of the World Famous Empire State Building located in New York City, but the name was actually coined by George Washington, a General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War because of the role the U.S. state played in the war to include the Battle of Saratoga which was the turning point of the War, and the name stuck as New York City remains the financial capital of the world, and, in the early years of the twentieth century, was called the Gateway to North America with the influx of immigrants entering the city. Most people think about New York City as it is the most populated city in the United States of America and is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, but there are other famous cities in the state like Rochester and Buffalo where, in the suburbs, you will find one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, Niagara Falls. The state has many great small villages. One of this villages is Maybrook. Located in the southeast region of the state about seventy miles north of New York City, the small village of Maybrook is a small, charming village that makes the state of New York special.
Some of you are saying, “I love New York. There is so much great history and nature area in the state. I enjoy the skyline of New York City with the high rise buildings to include the Empire State Building. I love Niagara Falls. There is so much in this state. As for Maybrook, there is really nothing to see there. Therefore, I will not be visiting this village of Maybrook.”
So, you do not see a reason to visit the small village of Maybrook. What is special about this small village?
As you exit Interstate 84 and drive south on New York Route 208, you come upon a caboose from the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad. I know. There are many lonely cabooses on display across the country, but this is not your average lonely caboose. What makes the village of Maybrook so important? It was here where the largest railroad yard in the state of New York where the town saw the largest number of trains, about fifty two trains a day, during the height of World War II which had to move quickly to supply the troops. Sadly, the yard nor the Maybrook Railroad Line no longer exists. The old railroad line crossed the Hudson River going towards Connecticut. The bridge, called the Walkway over the Hudson, is now a pedestrian bridge where you can get exceptional view of the Hudson River.
Some of you are saying, “Well then. If the railroad yard is no longer there, there is no reason to visit Maybrook.”
Ladies and gentlemen, there is more to the story.
Drive one mile south on New York Route 208 into the village of Maybrook, and you will see the Government Center. Yes, it is where the government of the village of Maybrook meets, but there is also another important place here. What is this important place?
Welcome to the Maybrook Railroad Museum. When you arrive, you will not see a locomotive or a caboose or any kind of rolling stock. Why visit the museum? As a place where the largest railroad yard in eastern America was once located, the small museum tells the story of how this small village played a big role in the railroad history of the United States of America. Although you cannot see the actual railroad yard itself, you can see pictures and artifacts and books of the railroad yard. Yes, it is a small museum, but there is much railroad history inside, and for a little excitement, there is a model train that runs road above you.
The Maybrook Railroad Museum is owned by the Maybrook Railroad Historical Society, and it is operated by volunteers, and they are open to anyone who is willing to volunteer. It is located inside the Maybrook Government Center located at 111 Schipps Lane just off of New York Route 208 and a short drive south of Interstate 84. It is open seasonally from the first Sunday after Easter April to the Last Sunday in October from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Admission is free, but they gladly accept any donation to keep the museum open for many generations to come. Parking is on site, and the museum is wheelchair accessible. You can read more about the Village of Maybrook and it role in the region at https://www.villageofmaybrook.com/.
Maybrook, New York is a small village with a big railroad past. The Maybrook Railroad Museum preserves and honors that past. You love New York, and you will love the Maybrook Railroad Museum.
John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad 