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Keeping History on the Move

As a member of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, you’ll help preserve, operate, and share some of America’s most extraordinary railroad heritage — including legendary locomotives like Nickel Plate Road No. 765 and one of the largest heritage railroads in the United States. Your membership fuels every mile of progress, supporting restoration, administration, education, and the unforgettable experiences that connect thousands of people to living history each year. A membership also makes you eligible to volunteer aboard our trains, at our events, or in our restoration shop.

Seeking the Skills that Made America

It takes a village to keep a railroad running, and many hands to care for a vintage machine. Our volunteers take part in some of the most challenging and rewarding preservation work in the Midwest, logging thousands of hours each month restoring vintage equipment, operating mainline excursions through dozens of communities, and bringing the sights and sounds of steam railroading back to life at our home base in Northeast Indiana.

Engineering Experiences

Our members and volunteers come from all walks of life — railroaders and retirees, families and fans, craftspeople and newcomers alike. Whether you bring mechanical know-how, creative talent, hospitality experience, or simply curiosity and enthusiasm, there’s a place for you on our crew. Together, we’re preserving more than machinery — we’re keeping the spirit, ingenuity, and innovation of American railroading culture in motion and creating enriching experiences for thousands of people every year.

Select a Membership Level to join or click a level to renew your existing membership below. You can also download and mail this PDF with your payment method if you prefer a traditional method. 

Benefits include...

Exclusive newsletter, mailings and updates

Ticket presales for all membership levels and discounted tickets for Family, Pullman, and Corporate Level members

Volunteer for excursions and operations

Invitation to VIP members events

And much more!

General

Membership includes an invitation to Members Day and VIP events, access to ticket presales when available, a subscription to Short Lines, our biannual newsletter, and entry to our exclusive online members area with e-newsletters and weekly updates.

$50/year

Companion Level

Ideal for couples or parents and their children who wish to volunteer together, this membership includes invitations to Members Day and VIP events, access to ticket presales when offered, a subscription to Short Lines, entry to our exclusive online members area with e-newsletters and weekly updates, and one voting privilege for all elections.

$100/year

Family Level

Ideal for households and families who volunteer together, this membership includes a Members Gift*, invitations to Members Day and VIP events, ticket discounts or presales when available, a subscription to Short Lines, access to our exclusive online members area with e-newsletters and weekly updates, and one voting privilege for all elections.

$300/year

Pullman Level

This membership includes a Members Gift*, invitations to Members Day and VIP events, ticket discounts or presales when available, a subscription to Short Lines, and access to our exclusive online members area with e-newsletters and weekly updates.

$500/year

Corporate Level

This level includes all standard membership benefits, public sponsorship recognition on our website and in printed materials, group discounts for your employees, and access to additional advanced sponsorship opportunities.

$1000/year