The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust has announced its restoration grants for 2026, awarding 20 projects a total of $250,000.
The recipients were selected from 32 applicants seeking a total of almost $900,000. The grants were created by John Emery, a longtime Chicago resident and rail enthusiast who rode trains worldwide. His goal was to help preserve rail equipment and infrastructure from 1920 to 1960, which he considered the golden age of rail travel.
This year’s recipients include:
• Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Utica, N.Y.: $11,100 for the rehabilitation of New York Central Railroad RS3 locomotive No. 8223.
• Anthracite Railroads Historical Society, Lansdale, Pa.: $10,000 to aid rebuilding the generator for EMD F7B unit No. 664B.
• Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust, Boyerstown, Pa.: $25,000 for work on hydronic heating for the Pullman Woodland.
• Connecticut Electric Railway Association, Windsor, Conn.: $2,350 for painting of Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban car No. 303.
• El Dorado Western Railway Foundation, El Dorado, Calif.: $1,000 to assist with repairs for its historic ex-Placerville & Sacramento (later Southern Pacific) track.
• Fox River Trolley Association, South Elgin, Ill.: $5,000 to help with seat rehabilitation for Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban car No. 20.
• Friends of SP 4449, Portland, Ore.: $10,000 for assistance with body and vent repairs for dining car DLMX No. 1349.
• Gold Coast Railroad Museum, Miami: $11,000 to help with roof, window, and seat repairs, as well as painting for Florida East Coast Railway coach No. 136.
• Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul, Minn.: $20,000 for electrical and cooling system replacements for passenger cars.
• Nashville Steam Preservation Society: $45,000 for electrical components for Nashville, Chattanooga a& St. Louis 4-8-4 steam locomotive No. 576.
• Norfolk & Western Business Car 300 Preservation Society, Chesterton, Ind.: $7,000 for window repairs for ex-Norfolk & Western Pullman Hollins College.
• North Carolina Transportation Museum, Spencer, N.C.: $5,000 for work on restoration of ex-Norfolk & Western combine car No. 1506.
• Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, Portland, Ore.: $7,000 for the restoration of pistons, cylinders, and crossheads for Oregon Railroad & Navigation Co. 4-6-2 steam locomotive No. 197.
• Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo, Calif.: $10,000 for help with mechanical refurbishment and restoration to original appearance of ex-Southern Pacific GP9 locomotive No. 3709.
• Railways to Yesterday, Rockhill Furnace, Pa.: $5,000 for assistance with seat reupholstery of Chicago, Aurora & Elgin interurban car No. 315.
• Smoky Hill Railway & Historical Society, Belton, Mo.: $ 10,000 for help with the painting of Smoky Hill Railway (SHRX) GP9 locomotive No. 102.
• Tri-State Railway Historical Society, Morristown, N.J.: $10,000 for assistance with rewiring of Delaware, Lackawanna & Western EMD F3A No. 663.
• Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum, Johnston City, Tenn.: $15,550 to help with truck repair on ex-Clinchfield Railroad office car No. 100.
• West Chester Railroad Heritage Association, West Chester, Pa.: $5,000 for repairs of ex-Reading Co. cars Nos. 9114 and 9124.
• Western Michigan Society for Industrial Heritage, Coopersville, Mich.: $15,000 for help with repair and painting of ex-Canadian National coaches Nos. 5180 and 5208.
Applications for the next round of grants will be due not later than Feb. 1, 2027. Details are available here.
First Option Bank, Trustee of the Emery Rail Heritage Trust, provides ongoing support throughout the application and selection process. Through careful investment management, the Advisory Committee hopes to expand the Trust’s impact on the preservation of historic rail passenger travel. For information on establishing a foundation or contributing to the Emery Rail Heritage Trust, please contact First Option Bank at 913‑294‑9222.
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
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This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.