The National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) has recently announced the recipients of its 2024 Railway Heritage Preservation Grants, distributing a total of $125,000 to 28 organizations dedicated to preserving historical railroad artifacts and media. This year’s grants are awarded in memory of longtime NRHS member Carl S. Jensen, who significantly contributed to the grant program’s administration and success over the years.
The NRHS Heritage Grants program aims to help non-profit organizations preserve America’s rich railroad history. Since its inception in 1991, the program has awarded a total of 398 grants amounting to $1,253,080. According to NRHS President Tony White, the mission is to support preservation projects that cover all aspects of railroading, thanks to the generosity of NRHS members and other donors.
Among the varied projects funded this year, notable grants include:
- $5,000 to the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society in Darlington, WI, for the restoration of a 1937 Magor Car Corp. caboose.
- $4,500 to the Iron Mountain Railway in Jackson, MO, for repainting two historic Pullman-built commuter coaches.
- $5,000 to the United Railroad Historical Society of NJ for the operational restoration of a 1971 GE model U34CH diesel locomotive.
These grants will enable organizations to continue their vital work in restoring and preserving historic railroad structures, locomotives, railcars, photos, and archival documents, ensuring that America’s railroad heritage is maintained for future generations1.