The non-profit railroad museum that said last year it was leaving Port Jervis, N.Y., following a conflict with the city, has announced that it’s in talks to stay. Officials with TOYX, Inc., the nonprofit that over the past four years has tried to establish a museum centered on the former Erie Railroad turntable there, said they were optimistic that they could secure a long-term lease directly from the city to stay on site. 

“We are optimistic that a mutually beneficial agreement will be reached to continue and expand TOYX’s ongoing preservation and interpretation of this City-owned historic site, as well as provide a public space for residents and visitors to experience TOYX’s own railcars and artifacts that are so critical to the City’s heritage,” TOYX officials announced on January 23. 

TOYX serves as the banner for a conglomerate of projects, including Operation Toy Train, the Dining Car Society, and the Tri-States Railway Preservation Society. In December, TOYX alleged that the city told them the site was going to be redeveloped and the rail equipment needed to be removed before July 2026. But the mayor of Port Jervis later denied that and said he wanted the museum to stay. TOYX has already moved some equipment off-site. 

Museum officials said they would announce more once negotiations were complete. 

—Justin Franz