PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — Port Jervis is terminating a rail historical society’s lease of the former Erie Railroad turntable site near downtown, a decision that will force the nonprofit group to find a new home for its 27-piece locomotive and rolling stock collection.
The 8.67-acre city-owned site was once part of the Erie Railroad’s engine facility. The turntable is still in place and operable. The City of Port Jervis is applying for a New York State brownfield remediation grant to clean up the site and then plans to sell the property for redevelopment. As a result, the city is terminating the TOYX, Inc. lease on July 26, 2026 and has instructed the group to vacate the property.
In a statement, the TOYX detailed its work to enhance the Erie Turntable site. “TOYX has spent the last four years revitalizing the long-abandoned property, restoring historic railcars tied to Port Jervis’s past, installing public exhibits, partnering with local businesses and nonprofits, and bringing thousands of visitors to the site.”
The railroad came to Port Jervis in the early 1850s. The original line — the New York & Erie Railroad — was built to a 6-foot gauge. The first passenger train rolled into the city on May 14, 1851. By 1854, the New York & Erie built its first turntable and roundhouse in Port Jervis. The current turntable, installed by successor Erie Railroad between 1927 and 1928, measures 115 feet. It was used by Conrail until 1987 and restored in 1996.
TOYX also runs Operation Toy Train, which collects Christmas toys in support of the Toys for Tots program. Operation Toy Train visits 68 towns in five states on 10 railroads. A number of cars from the TOYX collection stored in Port Jervis are used for the trains staged in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Once done with the 2025 Operation Toy Train runs, these pieces will not be returned to Port Jervis for storage. Additionally, TOYX cancelled this year’s Toy Train stop in Port Jervis.
In statements, TOYX gives no specific destination for its move. “It’s incredibly encouraging to know that other communities near and far recognize the value of a ready-made railroad museum and have already expressed interest in giving our collection a permanent home,” the group said.
At the time of posting, the City of Port Jervis had not responded to a Trains request for comment on the redevelopment project.
For more information on TOYX, please visit its website.
