Steam Up LIRR 39

06/19/2026

🚂JOIN IN ON THE CELEBRATION!🎉

We are all set up and READY TO GO, for our weekend with the Williams Grove Railroad; celebrating their Pennsylvania Railroad B4a #643’s 125th birthday! We are very proud to have been invited to host a table for such a grand celebration, and will be here ALL THREE DAYS! Come out and see us, and help celebrate the (currently) ONLY OPERATIONAL PENNSY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE; as well as the love put into her by the good folks in Williams Grove!

We will be selling tickets for our LIRR #39 97th Birthday Raffle, for a GRAND PRIZE of a ROUNDHOUSE PRODUCTS HO G5 MODEL KIT! Tickets cost $5 each and go entirely to support the restoration of Long Island Rail Road #39! If you can’t make it in person we will also be selling them NEXT WEEKEND at the Railroad Museum of Long Island (In Riverhead, New York) for #39’s 97th BIRTHDAY BASH! Tickets are also available online by making donations if $5 (with larger donations for multiple tickets)

Get Your Raffle Tickets TODAY At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
Help Us Restore This Long Island Legend, And Possibly Win This Rare HO Model Kit!

06/18/2026

🥳HAPPY 125th BIRTHDAY Pennsylvania Railroad 643!🎉

We would like to both wish the ONLY OPERATIONAL PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STEAM LOCOMOTIVE: #643 a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY; but also invite YOU to join us THIS WEEKEND (June 19th-21st) at the Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association! (See included graphic by Williams Grove for full details) We have been graciously invited by the Williams Grove Railroad, to set up a table promoting the ongoing restoration of Long Island Rail Road #39; for their 125th birthday celebration for PRR #643! We are very honored to be invited to such a MOMENTOUS OCCASION, and proud to be a part of the much wider community of Pennsylvania Railroad Steam Preservation!

If you haven’t yet followed our project to restore Pennsylvania Railroad built G5s: Long Island Rail Road #39 to OPERATION, we ask that you would follow the page here; and check out our NEW WEBSITE At:
http://steamup39.org

Consider Supporting Us Today Directly At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂THANK YOU!!!🥳

06/17/2026

🚂NEW BROADWAY LIMITED HO G5!🛤️

We are VERY EXCITED to see Broadway Limited Imports releasing a readily available Pennsylvania Railroad/Long Island G5s; coming 2027! We will definitely be keeping an eye on these with GREAT interest, and encourage you to check the post out for yourself!

There are even talks (according to Broadway Limited) about having the NEXT run featuring Long Island Rail Road #39 herself (as well as sister engine LIRR #35), so we are excitingly awaiting to see our commuter darling #39 in DCC HO model form!

A BIG THANKS to Broadway Limited Imports, LLC for their representation of our favorite class of ten-wheelers, and bringing the class into the limelight!

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT!

Good morning! We at BLI have five announcements today that we are very excited about. We're going to start with the first—and arguably most exciting—announcement: the PRR G5 Ten-Wheeler in HO scale!

The Pennsylvania Railroad G5 class was developed during the 1920s to meet the railroad’s growing commuter passenger needs. Designed by Mechanical Engineer William F. Kiesel Jr. and built at the PRR’s Juniata Shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the G5 combined a modified E6s Atlantic boiler with a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement optimized for commuter service.

Between 1923 and 1929, a total of 121 G5 locomotives were constructed, including 90 for the Pennsylvania Railroad and 31 for its subsidiary, the Long Island Rail Road. Their combination of power, reliability, and quick acceleration made them ideal for commuter operations, and they became a familiar sight throughout the Northeast for more than three decades.

The G5 remained in service into the 1950s and continues to be highly regarded by railroad historians and enthusiasts today. Its association with both the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road, combined with its unique place in commuter railroading history, has made it one of the most sought-after steam locomotive prototypes among model railroaders.

For our inaugural production run, we are offering three locomotives in their pre-1940 appearance, three locomotives in their post-1940 appearance, and two Long Island Rail Road locomotives in their post-1940 appearance. Each version has been carefully researched and features details appropriate to the era represented.

Models will be available equipped with our Paragon4 Sound/DC/DCC system with synchronized smoke, as well as in our Stealth DCC-Ready series. Stealth models feature a 21-pin decoder interface and a factory-installed speaker, making it easy for customers to install the aftermarket decoder of their choice.

Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

Find out more information here: https://broadway-limited.com/collections/prr-g5-ho-2027

06/16/2026

🚂ROLL ON BIG BOY!!!🇺🇸

Monday was a BIG DAY for Long Island Rail Road #39, and several Railroad Museum of Long Island volunteers (and guests); getting to see the LEGENDARY Union Pacific Big Boy #4014!!! We would like to thank Mr. Ed Dickens (Head of U.P.’s Steam Program) for taking the time to get a picture with LIRR #39’s FOURTY FIVE POUND keystone numberplate (which was carried from 9am-3pm… but was worth every second).

For Those Unfamiliar With LIRR #39 Please Check Out Our Website At: http://steamup39.org
And Consider Donating Towards The Project Directly At: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed

We showed up at 8:30am for our 9:00am time slot at Steam Town National Historic Site (in Scranton PA)… let’s just say we did not get in by 9am… with it taking till close till 10:30 to get through the gates (Though it is important to note that Union Pacific and the National Park Service did an excellent job, keeping everyone safe). Around noon we got our chance to get close and personal to not one… but TWO BIG BOY 4-8-8-4 Steam Locomotives, of which we made sure to get plenty of photos with our #39 numberplate. Getting to see them both together, with 4014 under steam was an incredible experience; and we encourage everyone to try to see it while you can out east.

We took MANY photos (please be sure to see them all) with our fellow rail enthusiasts at the event (such as Sara Ironhorse Kammeraad and a few of our fellow Long Islanders, from the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum); as well as Union Pacific’s #1776 USA 250th Commemorative Diesel Locomotive… there was even a certain rotary steam snow plow that (though inconspicuous) ran on LONG ISLAND for the Long Island Rail Road (stay tuned for some cool history on that!) Overall it was a VERY GOOD DAY, and we are thankful for the wonderful weather, the Union Pacific Rail Road, and Steamtown for everything!

Fun weekend aside; we continue to strive DAILY to see this BEHEMOTH of a Pennsylvania Railroad Built Ten-Wheeler FULLY RESTORED, and UNDER STEAM! Please consider joining us in this QUEST to bring this LEGENDARY Long Island steam locomotive of our own, BACK TO LIFE! YOU can make a difference by just following this page, liking and SHARING its content, and contributing monetarily towards this HISTORIC project! Every dollar brings her closer to completion; THANK YOU everyone for your support!!!

06/15/2026

🚂You Could Say It Was A BIG Day!💨

RMLI Volunteers had a very good day meeting a rather BIG celebrity!!! More details coming early tomorrow morning! Stay tuned for more!!!

Please Consider Supporting This Project Today At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
We Appreciate Your Support, THANK YOU!!!

06/13/2026

⭐️WIN THIS HO G5s Model Kit!⭐️

We are excited to announce a SPECIAL RAFFLE to support the OPERATIONAL RESTORATION of Long Island Rail Road #39; for her 97th birthday! For our model train enthusiasts you may want to pay special attention to this raffle as the GRAND PRIZE is a HO SCALE MODEL KIT of a PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD G5s (Just like our beloved LIRR #39); an extremely rare piece to add to YOUR COLLECTION! We will be selling these ticket online starting NOW, and in person at the LIRR #39 97th Birthday Bash at the Railroad Museum in Riverhead (June 27th-28th); with the drawing taking place on August 30th at 3:00pm (during RMLI’s Riverhead Railroad Festival - you do NOT have to be present to win)

Entries into this EXCITING RAFFLE will cost a DONATION of $5 per ticket, and can be made in person at the RMLI, one of our promotional tables (with more coming soon), and ONLINE DIRECTLY AT: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed

⭐️PRIZES INCLUDE!⭐️

🏆 The ROUNDHOUSE PRODUCTS HO G5s Model Kit (Assembly Required)

🥇 Our HO Steam Up LIRR #39 Boxcar

🥈 Our #39 RMLI/Strasburg Hat

🥉 Our RMLI LIRR #39 Wooden Train Whistle

🚂BEST OF LUCK To ALL ENTRIES, And THANK YOU For Your Continued Support To See LIRR #39 IN STEAM! We Truly Appreciate You All!!!❤️

06/11/2026

🥳YOU ARE INVITED!🎉

The Railroad Museum of Long Island invites YOU, to come celebrate our beloved Long Island Rail Road #39’s 97th BIRTHDAY! We are thrilled to announce that not only will we be having a BIG BIRTHDAY BASH for LIRR #39, but will be hosting the North Western Modelers for another weekend of fun!

The BIG Birthday Bash, will take place at The Railroad Museum of Long Island (in Riverhead NY) on June 27th-28th from 10am-4pm both days!
Activities include:

🎁 North Western Modelers Exhibition Of HAND CRAFTED Models Of Beloved Characters

🎁 Activities For The Kids To Enjoy

🎁 Fun Yard Games To Play

🎁 All The Exhibits Of RMLI (Ranging From Our Yard Of HISTORIC Rolling Stock, Our Famous Lionel Visitor Center Display, And ALL The Rides On Our G16 World’s Fair Train You Like)

We truly cannot stress enough that this is not something you would want to miss out on! So mark your calendars, and bring the family out to Riverhead for an exciting weekend for everyone to enjoy!

Please Consider Supporting Our Soon To Be 97 Year Old Commuter Darling Today At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂Thank You!!!🥳

06/09/2026

🚂Happy 194th Birthday Strasburg Rail Road!🥳

On this day in 1832, Pennsylvania governor George Wolf issued a charter to “incorporate the Strasburg Rail Road Company.”(SRC) While progress on getting the railroad up and running would be slow for its first 20 years, TODAY is the 194th anniversary of it FIRST officially coming to life; and it’s been running strong ever since!

Of course, what could be a better birthday present to such a HISTORIC railroad than getting an equally LEGENDARY STEAM LOCOMOTIVE; running just in time for Strasburg’s 200th anniversary in 2032!

We truly appreciate the ONCE IN A LIFETIME opportunity to partner with the Strasburg Rail, Road to help bring Long Island Rail Road #39 BACK INTO STEAM… AND have her run in a location where she can be enjoyed BY MILLIONS, for generations to come! WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, as we still owe approximately a MILLION DOLLARS by our contract deadline of 2030; to pay our portion of the restoration costs (with Strasburg responsible for the other 55%). The Strasburg connection is what makes our “little” project differ from many others; as the Strasburg Rail Road not only has WORLD CLASS RESTORATION SHOPS, but also a dedicated short line to run her ALL YEAR ROUND! This will allow #39 to once again run on a regularly scheduled timetable, AND be the FIRST PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD (designed) STEAM LOCOMOTIVE to run on the line since 1989!

Please Show Your Support For Our Mission By Donating TODAY At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚨We Truly Need Your Help!!!🚨

Post Written By Team Member Shaina Maclaren
🚂Thank You Everyone For Your Support!!!🎉

06/05/2026

🚂I’ve Been Working At RMLI!🎶

We are THRILLED to show off a video that was put together of our dedicated volunteers IN ACTION, working on Long Island Rail Road #39! 100% of it’s contents is entirely recorded by us (and entirely free of AI) including the EXCELLENT musical performance by Steven Sanflippo and Joe Costa (be sure to come back in the near future to see the actual live performance that was recorded as well, as the raw footage was too good to only use audibly)! Please take the time to watch and enjoy the video; including some words at the end from RMLI Social Media Coordinator: Noah Heilman.

We ask that you would consider making a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation today, to show your support for our committed volunteers and our goal of seeing LIRR #39 IN STEAM! We truly cannot do this without your help, though we continue to strive daily to see her completed!

🚂 All Contributions Can Be Made At:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed

We truly cannot thank our volunteers enough, for the work they put in to preserving this HISTORIC locomotive, but also for their invaluable service to the Railroad Museum of Long Island! Every one of us (all the way up to RMLI President: Don Fisher) are 100% volunteers, that do what we do to preserve our important railroad heritage; for future generations to come and enjoy! We also could not be where we are as an organization, and with our Steam Up LIRR #39 Project WITHOUT YOU; so thank you to all those who support us and our vision! We truly appreciate everyone who helped us get to where we are now, and those who continue to help see us progress towards an OPERATION LIRR #39; and a museum that continues to preserve our shared history!

Check Out Our Dedicated LIRR #39 Website At:
http://steamup39.org
🚂THANK YOU!!!❤️

06/03/2026

🚂CONGRATULATIONS MATIAS!🎉

Last weekend we were VERY HONORED to present Matias (and his family), his GRAND PRIZE of a FULL SET OF LIRR #39 StayBolt Caps IN PERSON (at the Railroad Museum of Long Island, in Riverhead NY)! He spent his VERY OWN tooth fairy money on 4 tickets to our fundraising raffle, and was the LUCKY WINNER! We were very encouraged by his generosity, and his excitement to accept his Staybolt Caps (with him planning to show them off soon at school; HOW’S THAT FOR A SHOW AND TELL!)

Its little moments like these that remind us of the reason we truly do what we do (as the Railroad Museum of Long Island); getting kids excited about railroad preservation, and building memories that they will have for a lifetime! We are certain that Matias will cherish these pieces of Long Island Rail Road #39, and will be even more excited to see her IN STEAM! We honestly do it all for the kids, as without them… railroad preservation as we know it… dies with our current generation. So take the time TODAY to show your children and grand children your layout, bring them to a museum, or take them on a train ride… as it’s for their future we work to preserve the past!

We hope you have been encouraged by this gesture of good will by one of our youngest railroaders, and take the opportunity to follow his example; and support this IMPORTANT restoration today! Matias (as well as ALL of you) deserve to see an OPERATIONAL #39, for ourselves and our children!

Contributions Can Be Made Below, Thank You:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TY6YHNF9E6/checkout/2YODEM2XVQBSBAQA5PFOWSNT?src=embed
🚂THANK YOU MATIAS!⭐️