Exhibits
There are over two dozen pieces of railroad equipment displayed at the Erie Turntable site. Several of these pieces are open to the public during special events. Learn about our exhibit cars below!
Caboose
Our Chessie System caboose was built in 1980 and has been almost fully restored inside. Visitors to the site are welcome to come aboard and experience this classic part of American railroading, where the conductor would sit at the rear of the train to do his paperwork and watch over the train for defects or problems. This caboose is also frequently used for our Turntable Train Rides!
Theater Boxcar
This one-of-a-kind boxcar, built in 1965 to carry bottled beer, was modified in 1992 as a mobile theater to show railroad safety films. The on-board theater now shows a specially-produced 25-minute film of Port Jervis railroad history, while the other end of the car houses a special exhibit covering the history of railroading around the Port Jervis area from the 1840s to present. This boxcar also houses a gift shop.
Dining Car
Our original 1949 Lackawanna Railroad dining car is a “restaurant on wheels,” serving some of the finest food available at a time when the quality of the meals gave one railroad an edge over its competitors. This fully-restored and operational car is where our skilled volunteers prepare original 1930s through 1960s railroad recipes during our special on-board dinner events.
Museum Boxcar
This insulated boxcar, built in 1973 to carry fresh fruit, has been remodeled inside to feature displays of Port Jervis railroad history. Included are artifacts, maps, models, and photographs of railroading around the Port Jervis area, as well as records and photos of the Port Jervis residents that once worked in the sprawling shop complex that once occupied the Erie Turntable site.