The John H. Emery Railroad Heritage Trust announced this week that it was giving $305,000 in grants to 18 different rail preservation organizations across the country. The money will help restore everything from a passenger car in Hawaii to a mainline steam locomotive in Kentucky.
Emery was a Chicago-native and lifelong railroad enthusiast who created the trust to fund projects that preserve the “Golden Age” of passenger railroading, specifically the years between 1920 and 1960. The trust is particularly interested in projects that allow the public to ride historically significant pieces of equipment. Groups are able to submit grant proposals up until Feb. 1, each year and then a three-person committee reviews the proposals. This year, the trust received 31 grant requests and gave 18 awards. Nine of the requests were fully funded.
Organizations that were awarded funds included:
The Kentucky Railway Museum received $43,000 for firebox and boiler work on Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 2716, currently being leased to and restored by the Kentucky Steam Heritage Cooperation.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad received $10,000 for continued work on Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1309.
The Wilmington & Western Railroad received $25,000 for repairs to 4-4-0 steam locomotive No. 98.
The Railway Restoration Project 113 received $12,000 for the replacement of superheater units in Central Railroad of New Jersey 0-4-0 No. 113.
The Colorado Railroad Museum received $25,000 to make a former White Pass & Yukon coach ADA accessible.
The East Troy Railroad Museum received $20,500 for interior restoration of Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee car No. 761.
The Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society received $25,000 for the restoration of two diners.
The Feather River Rail Society received $6,000 to continue the restoration of the dining area in the California Zephyr dining car “Silver Plate.”
The Great Plains Transportation Museum received $1,610 for the restoration of a Santa Fe passenger car.
The Hawaiian Railway Society received $8,000 for the restoration of Oahu Railway & Land Company coach No. 57.
The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, Inc. received $20,000 for the acquisition and installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment for the tavern lounge car “Alabama Club.”
The Illinois Railway Museum received $25,000 for DC line stabilization and pole replacement phase.
The Minnesota Transportation Museum received $10,000 for the restoration Great Northern F7A No. 454-A.
The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad received $1,200 for overhaul and improvements to a 2-foot gauge passenger car.
The New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society received $15,000 for passenger car maintenance.
The Old Dominion Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society received $15,000 for interior restoration of a Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad coach.
The Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society received $19,000 for seating repair and upholstery in two passenger cars.
The San Bernardino Historical Society received $20,000 to bring two Santa Fe passenger cars to Amtrak standards.
For more information visit the John H. Emery Railroad Heritage Trust website.
—Railfan & Railroad Magazine
