About the Friends of the Railroad (FORR)
Mission Statement
Adopted: December 9, 2008
The Friends of the Railroad (FORR) is a nonprofit educational and historical organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage of rail transportation. Our mission is to acquire, restore, operate, and protect railroad artifacts, equipment, and facilities while educating the public on the historical and modern significance of railroads in Victor, NY. Through interactive programs, historical exhibits, and community engagement, we strive to enhance tourism, preserve railroad history, and highlight the lasting impact of rail transportation.
Goals:
- Acquire, preserve, and exhibit railroad artifacts, documents, equipment and facilities.
- Foster public interest in both historical and modern railroad transportation.
- Establish a living museum by operating passenger rail excursions in cooperation with the Finger Lakes Railroad and other partners.
- Document and share the stories, memorabilia, and memories of the local community related to railroads.
- Develop and present railroad educational programs focused on railroad history and operations.
- Promote railroad education through exhibits, research opportunities, and public outreach.
- Secure and maintain facilities to house equipment, exhibits, archives and administrative operations.
FORR holds regular meetings to discuss and document its activities. Membership is open to all individuals interested in preserving and promoting the legacy of rail transportation.
A Short History of the Railroad & Interuban Lines in Victor, NY
The Auburn & Rochester Railroad (A&R), one of the first railroads in New York State, opened 1840 through Fishers and Victor, NY. In 1853, the Auburn & Rochester Railroad was consolidated with eight other regional railroads and became the New York Central Railroad. The historic Cobblestone Pumphouse, pictured below and on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1845 for the Auburn & Rochester Railroad in the hamlet of Fishers NY. It stands today, thanks to local historian J. Sheldon Fisher and the Town of Victor. Part of our national historic railroad heritage, a local treasure here.
In 1892, the Lehigh Valley Railroad (LV) opened from Jersey City, NJ to Buffalo, NY and transported passengers and freight, anthracite coal know as black diamonds, to heat homes and fire the steel mills that built this country. For more than 138 years, Victor Coal & Lumber sold and delivered coal to help keep local homes warm and businesses productive.
The first high-speed interurban railroad for its time in the area, the Rochester & Eastern (R&E) Rapid Railway, opened in 1904 transporting folks from Victor to cities of Rochester, Canandaigua and Geneva at 60+ miles per hour. You could get aboard the express in Victor and be in downtown Rochester in less than 60 minutes. Remember, this was when the horse and buggy were the most popular form of transportation.
Friends of the Railroad has been carefully restoring a 1905 R&E Waiting Shelter, generously donated in 2009 by the Giancursio family of Victor NY. The shelter is conveniently located adjacent to the historic Auburn & Rochester Cobblestone Pump House in Fishers, NY.
Ontario County and Finger Lakes Railway continue 180 years of railroad service in Victor, connecting local businesses, like Victor Insulators, to customers around the world.
Each year, Friends of the Railroad, Inc, partnering with Finger Lakes Railway, local businesses, municipalities and organizations, provide Santa Trains and other rail-related events for the joy and delight of families and friends of all ages – young and the young at heart. Join us for the pride and satisfaction of preserving rail history.
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