The Rochester Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) is an all-volunteer railroad historical society dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the railroad history of Rochester and Western New York. The Rochester Chapter NRHS is an IRS 501(c)(3) not for profit educational corporation with an absolute charter as a historical society under the New York State Board of Regents.

Founded in 1937, the Rochester Chapter is the fifth oldest chapter in the NRHS which has over 170 different chapters throughout the United States and overseas. 2007 will mark the Chapter's 70th Anniversary!

The Rochester Chapter NRHS owns and operates the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum in Rush, NY. The museum has a collection of over fifty pieces of railroad rolling stock, an extensive collection of historic construction equipment, and operates its own two-mile, standard gauge demonstration railroad in partnership with the New York Museum of Transportation. The Rochester Chapter also maintains a matched seven car set of former New York Central Railroad "Empire State Express" Budd stainless steel passenger cars which are used for Chapter sponsored excursions around the Rochester area.

The Rochester Chapter NRHS is solely funded through donations, private grants, dues, museum admissions, Chapter store sales and Chapter sponsored events/fundraisers.

We welcome anyone interested to come join us and help us continue to preserve and interpret the railroad history of Rochester and Western New York.

The Rochester Chapter railroad research library at the 40&8 club at 933 University Avenue in Rochester, NY. The library houses a large collection of railroad books, railroad related periodicals, and railroad photographs. The library is open to the public during monthly Chapter meetings by appointment. Contact us to make an appointment.

The mission of the Rochester Chapter NRHS is to establish, promote, and maintain an appreciation for the current and past contributions of railroad and transit organizations to the American way of life with particular emphasis on the Rochester, Monroe County, and western New York geographical area through:

• The preservation of locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, machinery, artifacts, documents, photographs, movies, videos, personal recollections, and etc. relating to the areas of railroad history.
• Increasing the level of understanding and awareness of railroad history among the general public and members alike through publications, articles, videos, and programs designed to both educate and entertain.
• The sharing of our knowledge with other historical groups, schools, and community groups with a particular emphasis on providing imaginative, creative, entertaining, and educational programs to school age children.

The NRHS was founded in 1935 and incorporated as a non-profit, educational organization in Maryland in 1937. The primary purpose of the Society is to preserve historical material and information pertaining to railroad transportation, to issue publications relating to the subject, and to encourage the use of rail transportation.

The Society has more than 10,000 members and over 170 Chapters. The Society publishes a bi-monthly journal, The National Railway Bulletin, containing articles of historical, educational, and topical subjects of railroad interest. A subscription to this journal is included with all Regular and Associate memberships.