[As some readers will know, I love trains (officially I’m a railfan or railway enthusiast). So I was particularly interesting in a recent Facebook post by the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum in Long Island, New York, announcing its new, custom simulator that provides users with a presence-evoking experience of operating a train on the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), “the busiest commuter railroad in North America.” The post includes a 1:57 minute video of the simulator in action, and the Museum’s website describes other presence experiences available, notably an augmented reality experience featuring President Theodore Roosevelt:

“Theodore Roosevelt is your interactive tour guide for this immersive experience through history, available now through the Museum’s TRAR™ [Theodore Roosevelt AR] mobile app.

The TRAR™ experience is full of entertaining, educational, and little-known stories ‘told’ by the 26^th president through 3D augmented reality and voiced by the world’s foremost TR impersonator Joe Wiegand, renowned for his astonishing portrayal.

Hear Roosevelt’s first-hand memories of his presidential days, personal reminiscences, and cherished family moments. TR recounts tales of his Nobel Prize-winning contributions to international peace, private encounters with esteemed guests like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, and pioneering efforts in embracing new technology of the day.

TRAR™ is the newest installment of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation initiative called Digital Tapestry™, a series of augmented reality experiences across Long Island that seeks to enhance visitor engagement with the region’s historical sites and museums. The app was developed by 360XR™, which specializes in historic content.”

If I visit, I’ll post a first-person report. –Matthew]

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum debuts unique and immersive simulator that puts you at the controls of an M7 train

June 25, 2024

We at the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum are excited to announce that our M7 Simulator is finally ready to open to the public. After extensive testing by the programmer and use by our volunteers, we feel it is ready to roll out to our visitors.

The M7 and DE Simulators were both donated to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum many years ago by the Long Island Rail Road. As they would be stored outdoors and simulation software was not included, the simulators were both essentially 1/4 representatives of their operating brethren for the past several years. While non-functional, they did still provide an “in the cab” experience not attainable unless you happen to work for the LIRR.

However, over the past year, one of our museum administrators with a young friend who is extremely knowledgeable in computer programming decided he wanted to see if they could do something with them. Starting with the M7, he gutted the majority of the existing computer hardware and disassembled the operating controls and screens. Over several months, he took the time to examine every function and determine how best to incorporate it with the simulation software commercially available. The end result is an operating experience that puts you at the controls of an M7 train!

Once in the cab, our museum docent will set the simulation in motion, with you at the controls. The darkened interior will focus your eyes on the large screen ahead of you which depicts in high resolution the physical characteristics of the Hempstead Branch. Smaller screens above the controls provide information on your train and operating status. Signals, station platforms, people, cars, buildings and other trains are all accurately represented in this latest edition of the commercially available “Train Simulator” game. The big difference is instead a keyboard or toy controller, you’re operating the train with actual M7 controls. Moreover, other features such as cab signals, alerter functions and of course the horn all help make the experience more realistic. If that weren’t enough, the sound system, complete with sub woofers behind the cab will have you believing the train is actually moving.

This unique and immersive experience will be available to our museum visitors on a first come, first served basis. Operating times will be limited to approximately 15 minutes per person, unless of course no one else is waiting to try it. For this season only, the simulator experience will be available at no additional cost beyond general admission. This opportunity is also contingent upon the availability of trained docents in the yard. It should also be noted that this experience is not for young children. While it does not require the level of knowledge locomotive engineers train for, it is still a highly immersive experience and may be both frightening and overwhelming to youngsters.

Please enjoy this brief video depicting one of our own volunteers operating from Country Life Press to Garden City Station as a teaser. The simulator will be available starting this weekend during normal hours. The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4pm. Admission fees and directions are available on our website at www.obrm.org.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at the attached messaging link…and by all means, share this with anyone you feel may be interested!

Who knows, perhaps next year we may have the DE Simulator ready as well!?!?