The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust recently announced that it awarded $250,000 in grants to 20 projects across the country.
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 on historically significant pieces of equipment. Groups can submit grant proposals until Feb. 1 each year, after which a three-person committee reviews them.
For 2026, grants were approved for the following organizations/projects:
Adirondack Scenic Railroad: $11,100 for the rehabilitation of New York Central Railroad RS-3 locomotive 8223.
Anthracite Railroad Historical Society: $10,000 to aid in rebuilding the generator for EMD F7B unit engine 664B.
Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust: $25,000 for work on Hydronic Heating for the Pullman Woodland.
Connecticut Electric Railway Association: $2,350 for the painting of the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban car 303.
El Dorado Western Railway Foundation: $1,000 to assist with repairs for the ex-Placerville and Sacramento (ex-Southern Pacific) historic track.
Fox River Trolley Association: $5,000 to help with seat rehabilitation for Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban car 20.
Friends of S.P. 4449: $10,000 for assistance with body and vent repairs for dining car DLMX 1349.
Gold Coast Railroad Museum: $11,000 to help with roof, window, seat repairs and paint for Florida East Coast Railway Coach 136.
Minnesota Transportation Museum: $20,000 for electrical and cooling system replacements for passenger cars.
Nashville Steam Preservation Society: $45,000 for electrical components for Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis 4-8-4 steam locomotive 576.
Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society: $7,000 for window repairs for ex-Norfolk & Western Pullman Hollins College.
North Carolina Transportation Museum: $5,000 for work on the restoration of ex-Norfolk & Western combine car 1506.
Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation: $27,000 for the restoration of pistons, cylinders & crossheads for Oregon Railroad & Navigation Co. 4-6-2 steam locomotive 197.
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum: $10,000 for help with mechanical refurbishment and restoration to the original appearance of ex-Southern Pacific GP-9 locomotive 3709.
Railways to Yesterday: $5,000 for assistance with the seat reupholstering of Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban car 315.
Smoky Hill Railway & Historical Society: $10,000 for help with the painting of the Smoky Hills Railway (SHRX) GP-9 locomotive 102.
Tri-State Railway Historical Society: $10,000 for assistance with rewiring of EMD F3 A unit engine 663.
Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum: $15,550 to help with truck repair on the ex-Clinchfield Railroad office car 100.
West Chester Railroad Heritage Association: $5,000 for repairs of Ex-Reading Company Cars WCRL 9114 and 9124.
Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage: $15,000 for help with the repair and painting of ex-Canadian National coaches 5180 and 5208.
