We’ve been workin’ on the railroad! Maybe not all the live-long day, but our volunteers are always busy with something! Check out the latest updates about everything our volunteers have been working on below.
- Do you want to help with projects like these? Consider becoming a member of the society and volunteering with us! Visit our Membership page for details about getting involved.
- You can also support these projects with a monetary donation – visit our Donate page for more information.
- These projects all require supplies and tools to make them happen. Visit our Wish List page for some ideas of the tools and materials we could use to continue these great projects.
Project Update: Newburg Meadows Railroad Crossings Completed
We are proud to announce the completion of 2 huge projects! In partnership with Newburg Meadows, we have constructed two new railroad crossings to facilitate their neighborhood expansion. We’d like to thank our dedicated volunteers for their hard work and Slusarski Excavating & Paving for helping with the paving of these crossings. We are thrilled with the success of this partnership with Newburg Meadows and are excited to see the expansion of housing opportunities in our community!
Project Update: SMRS #3 Becomes SMRS #3
A group of volunteers have taken on the task of making #3 feel truly at home here with us. The former railroad’s name has been removed and our logo has been applied with some robust vinyl. Eventually #3 will receive a full repaint as time and money allows, but this will do for now! There truly are projects for folks of any background here at the railroad. Even small jobs like this wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers and supporters. If you are interested in helping out with any project – BIG or small – consider joining our membership
New Acquisition: SMRS #3
SPECIAL DELIVERY – We are pleased to announce our acquisition of former Charlotte Southern Railroad #3, a 44 ton diesel locomotive! #3 enters our locomotive fleet as the third 44 ton locomotive in our lineup, joining Western Maryland #75 and Detroit & Mackinac #10. This locomotive was built in 1956 as #1 for the Dansville and Mount Morris Railroad, located in New York, and is significant in that it was the last 44 ton locomotive manufactured by General Electric. In 1986, the locomotive was sold to the Bay Colony Railroad, located in Massachusetts, where it served as #411. In 1998,
Project Update: ‘Little Red’ Gets Her Time to Shine!
SMRS #2022, or ‘Little Red’, entered service this weekend on our Fall Color Tours! After some extensive work to replace some missing windows, install a new horn, replace the cab floor, install new engineer and fireman seats, and give the locomotive a general tune up, our volunteers are excited to see the hard work pay off. For the first time in decades, our train was pulled by a locomotive in each direction, improving safety at our road crossings and providing a smoother ride for our passengers. With some shake down runs completed, we expect ‘Little Red’ to be a staple
Project Update: CSS&SB #1 Receives a New Roof
Our Chicago, South Shore, & South Bend #1 received a new metal roof! This new roof replaces a failing fiberglass roof that was allowing water into the car. We anticipate this roof to last many years and help us preserve this car for generations to come. At almost 100 years old, this car is an excellent example of a bygone day of commuter travel and it still retains it’s historic interior layout. Projects like this help us ensure that this piece of railroad history continues to tell a story and be a part of your experience aboard the rails.