Society welcomes special steam locomotive guest at 2018 Open House
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will host its Open House on August 17th, 18th and 19th and steam locomotive Jeddo Coal Company no. 85, a restored tank engine. Built in 1928 and restored by...
View ArticleOnly development proposal for North River includes Headwaters Junction
Headwaters Junction scored yet another victory in its long development process as it was included in the only proposal received by the city for the development of the North River property. Local...
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Steam locomotives delight crowds during open house
The Journal Gazette covers our 2018 Open House… Crowds gathered as the historic steam locomotive No. 765 let out a whistle as it sat on the tracks during the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s...
View ArticleRed carpet rolls out for steam excursions in Chicago
Passengers will enjoy a VIP experience at LaSalle Street Station This summer, a restored 1940’s-era steam locomotive will operate The Joliet Rocket, a high-speed, passenger train excursion between...
View ArticleTicket sales begin for The Joliet Rocket
For the first time in over 40 years, a steam locomotive and special passenger train will operate arrive from Joliet, Illinois and arrive at downtown Chicago’s LaSalle Street Station, hosting visitors...
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Headwaters Junction charters historic car for summer steam excursions
The car will return to LaSalle Street Station for the first time in 50 years. On Father’s Day Weekend between Joliet and Chicago, Illinois, passengers will have the opportunity to ride behind famous...
View Article70MPH cab ride on Nickel Plate Road no. 765
This exclusive footage from our one-day excursion between Glen of North Glenview, Illinois and Janesville, Wisconsin was originally streamed live on Facebook in 2016. The 765 made history topping over...
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The Joliet Rocket’s best dressed passengers and photos are now available!
Passengers aboard The Joliet Rocket can download their portraits with the 765 here. [imic_button colour=”btn-default” type=”enabled” link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortwaynerailroad/albums”...
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Sold out “Joliet Rocket” brings historic steam locomotive to downtown Chicago
On June 17th and 18th, historic steam locomotive no. 765 brought over 2,500 passengers into LaSalle Street Station aboard The Joliet Rocket. Operated in a partnership with Metra, the fourth busiest...
View ArticleBack to the Future for historic steam engine
The News Sentinel joined us on the Joliet Rocket and reports on progress for Headwaters Junction: With the city reportedly close to buying a 28-acre slice of prime downtown real estate, backers of a...
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Historic locomotive restoration earns grant from Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI) has donated $3,000 to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. (FWRHS) for Project 358, an effort to restore its 1950s diesel locomotive, Nickel Plate Road no....
View ArticleNickel Plate 624 relocated for preservation
Following weeks of preparation and permit approvals, historic steam locomotive Nickel Plate Road no. 624 was successfully relocated from Hammond, Indiana between late September and October. The Fort...
View Article“A Headwater of Steam”
The Journal Gazette originally featured this editorial in support of Headwaters Junction on November 26th, 2017. Toronto shows possibilities of railroad-themed riverfront park When supporters of...
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Joliet Rocket returns on September 15th and 16th
“Baby, don’t you want to go?” The time machine returns to Chicago! On September 15th and 16th, climb aboard for another trip on The Joliet Rocket! Following the success of 2017’s excursions on Metra’s...
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Over $6,000 raised as Project 358 makes strides in new year
Society grants $2,500 toward restoration effort, offers special donor plates for donations over $100.00 As a small, but dedicated crew makes progress on restoring Nickel Plate Road diesel locomotive...
View ArticleTicket sales for Joliet Rocket begin May 9th
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is pleased to announce that ticket sales for The Joliet Rocket trips will begin at 6PM on May 9th for the general public and 6PM May 8th for members....
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Grants from Emery Rail Heritage Trust kick-off critical fundraising effort...
July 8th, 2017 – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society convened a meeting and solicited input from from over half a dozen mainline steam locomotive organizations and The Emery Rail Heritage Trust...
View ArticleSanta Train’s appeal only picks up steam
From today’s Journal Gazette: Kelly Lynch has seen thousands of children walk into Santa’s workshop, the last stop before boarding the Santa Train. The vice president of the Fort Wayne Railroad...
View ArticleHeadwaters Junction secures purchase agreement for riverfront right-of-way
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – Non-profit organization and potential riverfront developer Headwaters Junction, Inc. has finalized a purchase agreement with railroad company Norfolk Southern Corp for one mile of...
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Crown Battery helps power locomotive restoration project
Vintage locomotive will be used as teaching tool, mobile classroom NEW HAVEN, INDIANA – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) is pleased to announce that Crown Battery Systems of Fort...
View ArticleRail Preservation Groups Partner for Restoration Project
NEW HAVEN, INDIANA – Through a cooperative effort with the Mad River & NKP Museum in Bellevue, Ohio, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) has acquired crucial internal components...
View ArticleFort Wayne Railroad Historical Society to partner with revived New River Train
Rail Excursion Management Co. announces their inaugural Autumn Colors Express railroad excursion this October from Huntington to Hinton, WV along the famed New River route; Fort Wayne group to provide...
View Article2019 Open House to feature guest locomotive, preview of downtown attraction
Event’s popularity offers preview proposed downtown attraction NEW HAVEN, INDIANA – The historic, operating tourist attractions of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) will be on display...
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Historic locomotive restoration granted matching donation
Every donation up to $5,358 for Project 358 will be matched now through the end of 2019 The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) is pleased to announce that an anonymous donor has stepped...
View ArticleCab Ride on the Cuyahoga
Join us in real-time as engineer Jason Johnson takes Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 from Fitzwater to Akron, Ohio on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in September 2019. On this run, the...
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Icons of Industry: Our 2020 Projects
A visit to the shop in recent months will have revealed over a half dozen restoration projects all happening at once – a first in the Society’s long existence. First, the 765 is now all roller...
View ArticleCity and Headwaters Junction strike deal, partnership
July 13, 2020, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – Statement from the Headwaters Junction Board of Directors regarding the Redevelopment Commission’s vote approving the City of Fort Wayne’s purchase of Headwaters...
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Outdoor Autumn Railroad Festival Announced for October
Updated 10/1: All Pumpkin Train Tickets are sold out. General Admission tickets are required for entry. All tickets must be purchased in advance. On October 1st through the 4th, this admission-only...
View Article2020 Santa Train Announcement
Out of concern for our patrons and volunteers – and in consultation with old Saint Nick himself – the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has decided not to operate its Santa Train this December....
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Restoration of historic Wabash caboose completed
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc (FWRHS) has completed an extensive rebuild of its historic, century-old Wabash Railroad caboose no. 2534 – one of only two wooden Wabash cabooses in...
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Steam Right On – An Inspiring Steam Revival
In May of 1958, the steam locomotive had less than 60 days of life left on the New York, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad. In Conneaut, Ohio, the slow march toward obsolescence wore on inside the...
View ArticleRailroad Society Announces 2021 Season
NEW HAVEN (July 15th) – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) has announced its 2021 slate of events and excursions, the return of historic steam locomotive No. 765 to the Cuyahoga Valley...
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Historic Nickel Plate Railroad Locomotives to Reunite in Bellevue
Historic steam locomotives and train rides to be feature of late summer event BELLEVUE, OHIO (July 20th) – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum are...
View ArticleSteam in the Valley Returns to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Two celebrated non-profit organizations set to commemorate their 50th Anniversaries with special events planned for May INDEPENDENCE, OHIO – Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) and the Fort Wayne...
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Collaboration Between Indiana Communities and Fort Wayne Railroad Saves...
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – Thanks to a generous donor and the efforts of Noblesville, Indiana’s Parks and Recreation Department, and the City of Logansport, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has...
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Spring Steam Events and Experiences Announced
Kick-off the start of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s season with the Hostler Experience or enjoy an exclusive night photo shoot with Nickel Plate Road no. 765! HOSTLER EXPERIENCE – MAY...
View Article“For the love of trains”– Railroad group keeps steam engine running
Originally published in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Generations of great traditions often start with “My grandpa introduced me …” or “My mother fell in love with this and passed that love to me …”...
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Regional Short Line and Fort Wayne Railroad Partner for Indiana Rail Experience
ANGOLA, INDIANA – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company have announced The Indiana Rail Experience, a historic partnership that will contribute...
View ArticleNickel Plate Road 765’s First Steam Excursions
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2022, let’s look back at our very first steam excursion 42 years ago this month! This silent, 8mm footage was recently acquired and scanned in high definition,...
View ArticleIndiana Rail Experience 2022 Events Announced
ANGOLA, INDIANA – Starting next month, the Indiana Rail Experience will bring a number of distinct train rides, community events, and special occasions to families, railroad fans, and people of all...
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Fort Wayne railroad organization acquires two historic Pennsylvania Railroad...
NEW HAVEN, INDIANA – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired two vintage Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) passenger cars from the Washington, DC Chapter, of the National Railway Historical...
View ArticleIndiana Rail Experience Arrives in Region
Courtesy of WPTA 21: A preview of sorts Thursday afternoon, for a new, multi-year attraction in Angola. The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) took community leaders, donors, and members...
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Matching fundraiser launched to complete vintage diesel locomotive restoration
Following five years of restoration work, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s volunteers have successfully restarted the prime mover engine of historic Nickel Plate Road diesel locomotive no....
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Historic railroad dining car enters service in Indiana
After a year-long renovation, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) is once again welcoming passengers aboard the Silver Diner, a historic railroad dining car. Originally part of the...
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“Premiere” Observation Car Acquired for First-Class Service
The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has acquired the Riding Mountain Park, a vintage streamlined dome-lounge-observation car built in 1954 for transcontinental passenger train service on the...
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Indiana Rail Experience Returns for Second Season
Following a successful season of memorable events and recent recognition as Indiana’s “Best New Experience” from the Indiana Tourism Association, a 1940s-era railroad attraction has expanded its...
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Progress Rail Helps Transform Historic Locomotive
The restoration of a 1950s railroad locomotive has been invigorated by a collaboration with Progress Rail, a Caterpillar company. MUNCIE, IND – The mechanical overhaul of Nickel Plate Road diesel...
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Rail Tourism Effort Acquires Historic Train Station
A 141-year-old railroad station has been acquired by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society to support its expanding rail tourism programs in Northeast Indiana. PLEASANT LAKE, IND – The historic...
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New York Central Passenger Car Fleet Acquired for Excursion Service
Seven New York Central cars from the streamliner era of passenger rail are destined for excursion service in Northeast Indiana ROCHESTER, NEW YORK — As part of an ongoing investment in its new rail...
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$50,000 Matching Grant Kicks off Restoration of New York Central fleet
A famous 1940s-era passenger train is destined for restoration as part of a growing rail tourism attraction in the Midwest NEW HAVEN, INDIANA – Following the acquisition of seven vintage New York...
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