The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust has announced their grants for various railway preservation projects in 2019. John Emery was a long-time Chicago resident who was an avid rail enthusiast who loved to ride trains around the world, and wanted to help preserve rail equipment and infrastructure that will allow future generations to share his experiences during what he considered the “Golden Age” of railway travel, from 1920 to 1960. One of John’s greatest pleasures was travel. He was a world traveler, visiting over 125 nations. An avid train and railway buff, abroad and in the United States, John rode the rails as often as possible.

Thirty-seven applications were received requesting in excess of $800,000. After much careful research and consideration by the Trust, twenty-nine grants were awarded totaling $500,000.00. This amount doubles the amount that was given last year. The John Emery Rail Heritage Trust is the largest trust in the United States that makes 100% of its awards solely for railroad restoration purposes. This year’s awards include:

• Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society: $1,000 for work on the Clinchfield 100.
• Bluegrass Railroad Museum, Inc: $8,000 for restoration on coaches Chicago & Northwestern 3478.
• Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum: $8,000 for track work.
• Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc.: $9,000 for work on RDC car, ex-New Haven #42.
• Cincinnati Scenic Railway: $9,000 for electrical upgrades to car 104.
• Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust: $10,000 for coach work.
• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: $10,000 for ex-Susquehanna RDC M-3.
• Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society: $10,000 for Delware & Hudson coach #233.
• National Railroad Museum: $10,000 for power car NADX 50143.
• Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Inc.: $10,000 for station canopy.
• Railroaders Memorial Museum: $10,000 for Pennsylvania Railroad K-4 tender project.
• Railways to Yesterday, Inc.: $10,000 for Chicago, Aurora & Elgin car #315.
• Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum: $10,000 for New York Central railway post office car.
• Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Inc.: $13,000 for Southern Pacific GP-9.
• Iowa Railroad Historical Society: $14,000 for track work.
• Colorado Railroad Heritage Foundation: $14,000 for Rio Grande Southern 20Black River Railroad Historical Trust: $15,000 for SW9 #438.
• Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Inc.: $15,000 for generator for the Alabama Club.
• Midwest Railway Preservation Society: $18,000 for passenger car restoration.
• Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation: $20,000 for turntable installation.
• Engine 557 Restoration Company: $21,000 for continued work on Alaska Railroad 557.
• Roanoke Chapter, NRHS: $24,250 for coach 512.
• New Mexico Steam Locomotive & Railroad Historical Society: $25,000 for PTC for Santa Fe 2926.
• Nevada Northern Railway Foundation: $29,750 for locomotive 81.
• Railroading Heritage of Midwest American: $30,000 for PTC for locomotive Milwaukee Road 261.
• Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc.: $30,000 for PTC for locomotive Nickel Plate 765.
• Illinois Railway Museum: $30,000 for d.c. trolley wire stabilization and repair.
• Western Maryland Scenic Railroad: $40,000 for continued work on Chesapeake & Ohio 1309.
• Kentucky Railway Museum: $46,000 for new boiler tubes for Chesapeake & Ohio 2716.

Congratulations to all the groups who received a grant and the best of luck as they continue to preserve our railroad heritage. Applications for the next round of grants will be due not later than February 1, 2020. Check for details at http://emeryrailheritagetrust.org.

—Emery Rail Heritage Trust press release