Bedford Hills Train Station Exhibit Shows Railroad's Local History

BEDFORD HILLS, N.Y. -- The waiting room at the Bedford Hills train station has been transformed into a museum that chronicles the history of the railroad in the hamlet.

Left to right: Bedford Hills Historical Museum members Richard Carmichael, Richard Satenberg, Ellen Cohen and David Zapsky pose with a lifelike mannequin dressed in vintage railroad attire.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

David Zapsky (left) and Richard Carmichael (right) at the Bedford Hills railroad exhibit.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Historical signage at booth window at the Bedford Hills train station.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Several historical artifacts are on display for the Bedford Hills railroad history exhibit.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

David Carmichael's diorama of the previous Bedford Hills train station, which resembles how it looked in the late 19th century.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Attendees at the Bedford Hills railroad historical exhibit.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Part of the Bedford Hills train station (pictured) is being used for a railroad history exhibit.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Left to right: Don Scott, Bea Rhodes and MaryAnn Carr pose for a photo next to a mannequin dressed in railroad working attire.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

A lifelike mannequin, dressed in railroad worker attire, is displayed in front of the Bedford Hills exhibit.
Photo Credit: *Tom Auchterlonie*

Tom Auchterlonie

07/01/2015 12:30 a.m.

Numerous artifacts now adorn the space, ranging from an antique heater to an old typewriter and train schedule at the booth.Timelines detailing the railroad's connection with Bedford Hills, along with several vintage photos, now hang on the walls.

The exhibit, which is sponsored by the Bedford Hills Historical Museum, is called "ALL ABOARD - The Railroad's Impact on Bedford Hills." A reception was held for the project of Tuesday evening, which served as a chance for guests to check out the displays.

A lifelike mannequin dressed as a 20th century rail worker was posted at the front door, while a toy train set was made available several feet away for kids to play with.

David Zapsky, a Bedford Hills resident and historical museum member, explained that the reason for the exhibit was to look at the railroad impact on changing the town from a farm community.

The railroad first arrived to town in 1847, Zapsky said. At the time, it was surrounded by what was mostly a resort area, he added. The town itself, Zapsky noted, grew around the railroad.

The station stop was simply called "Bedford," while the hamlet was known informally as Bedford Station, Zapsky explained. While the hamlet's name was changed to Bedford Hills in 1910 Zapsky said the train station did not change for a few more years.

The current train station, built in 1906, was the third railroad structure, Zapsky said.

Richard Carmichael, a Bedford Corners resident and member of the historical museum, said that the first structure for the railroad was simply a platform. It was then followed with an enclosed train station, which he made a diorama replica of for the display. Carmichael also made the antique heater available.

In remarks to a crowd, Supervisor Chris Burdick praised the organizers for their work on the project.

“So we’re really delighted with what the museum has done and I have a feeling that there will be more to come," he said.

Much of the station remains vacant as Bedford town officials seek continued use of the premises from Metro-North.

The town has a sublease from Metro-North that expires on Sept. 30, Burdick said; the property is owned by a company called Midtown Trackage Ventures, the supervisor previously noted.

Talks for an extension of the sublease are ongoing, according to Burdick.

The museum's exhibit, which runs until Sept. 20, is open on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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