Medina in Orleans County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The New York Central Railroad
Area 11
Photographed by Bradley Owen, June 29, 2025
1. The New York Central Railroad Marker
Inscription.
The New York Central Railroad. Area 11. , Citizens of Medina first heard rumors of a possible railroad in 1848, when word that the Rochester and Lockport Railroad company desired to route their line through the village. The "Iron Horse" was coming to Medina!, In 1852, the Orleans Republican reported that the railroad had been completed, running from Niagara Falls to Rochester. Dignitaries and the press marveled at "the smoothness of the road along which we were flying at times 40 miles an hour!", Throughout the 19th and into the 20th century, the "Falls Line" played a great role in Medina's growth as an industrial town. Medina's rail yard was indeed a busy and bustling place, moving raw materials, goods and people. For generations the line's passenger service was a tremendous benefit for the village. As many as twelve trains each way were on schedule every day., Built of Medina Sandstone, the passenger depot that still stands today was completed in 1908. The New York Central freight depot was built in 1905-06, and is one of the largest (301ft. by 34ft.). It is one of the last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States., Medina's Railroad Heritage Preserved, The Medina Railroad Museum is known the world over, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Located in the old New York Central freight depot in Medina, NY, the Medina RR Museum is one of the largest freight depot museums in the country. The building itself was built in 1905-06, and is one of the largest (301ft. by 34ft.), last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States. It features the largest collection of such artifacts and memorabilia known to exist under one roof along with the longest HO scale layout and diorama all on one floor, an immense 14ft. by 204ft. Through the efforts of the museum, the rich railroad heritage of Medina and the United States is carefully preserved and celebrated., (Captions):, Medina's rail station was a busy place- As many as twelve trains each way were on schedule every day., Medina Sandstone passenger depot that still stands today., New York Central number 5124 on a fast freight at Medina, New York.
Citizens of Medina first heard rumors of a possible railroad in 1848, when word that the Rochester and Lockport Railroad company desired to route their line through the village. The "Iron Horse" was coming to Medina!
In 1852, the Orleans Republican reported that the railroad had been completed, running from Niagara Falls to Rochester. Dignitaries and the press marveled at "the smoothness of the road along which we were flying at times 40 miles an hour!"
Throughout the 19th and into the 20th century, the "Falls Line" played a great role in Medina's growth as an industrial town. Medina's rail yard was indeed a busy and bustling place, moving raw materials, goods and people. For generations the line's passenger service was a tremendous benefit for the village. As many as twelve trains each way were on schedule every day.
Built of Medina Sandstone, the passenger depot that still stands today was completed in 1908. The New York Central freight depot was built in 1905-06, and is one of the largest (301ft. by 34ft.). It is one of the last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States.
Medina's Railroad Heritage Preserved
The
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Medina Railroad Museum is known the world over, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Located in the old New York Central freight depot in Medina, NY, the Medina RR Museum is one of the largest freight depot museums in the country. The building itself was built in 1905-06, and is one of the largest (301ft. by 34ft.), last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States. It features the largest collection of such artifacts and memorabilia known to exist under one roof along with the longest HO scale layout and diorama all on one floor, an immense 14ft. by 204ft. Through the efforts of the museum, the rich railroad heritage of Medina and the United States is carefully preserved and celebrated.
(Captions):
Medina's rail station was a busy place- As many as twelve trains each way were on schedule every day.
Medina Sandstone passenger depot that still stands today.
New York Central number 5124 on a fast freight at Medina, New York.
78° 23.219′ W. Marker is in Medina, New York, in Orleans County. It is on Main Street (New York State Route 63) north of Starr Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 614 Main Street, Medina NY 14103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, in the Finger Lakes, and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, on the Great Lakes, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
