The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. is an award-winning, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded in 1972. The organization is powered by over 600 members and 130 volunteers from all over the country.
In 1974, the Fort Wayne Railroad was successful in removing historic Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765 from display in Lawton Part in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1979, the organization became the first all-volunteer, non-profit organization to successfully restore and operate a steam locomotive, writing a significant chapter in the early days of the country’s rail preservation movement.
Since 1980, the Fort Wayne Railroad has operated passenger train excursions, private charters, public exhibitions, and education outreach programs with the 765 and a variety of other vintage railroad equipment throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States.
The locomotive and its train continue to serve as a distinctive cultural attraction with worldwide appeal, offering tourists, passengers, and supporters from all 50 states and numerous countries the opportunity to relive a bygone era of innovation in American history. Amid the 50th anniversary of its founding, it established the Indiana Rail Experience in Northeast Indiana, which is the only tourist railroad operation in North America to connect three states. Since then, it has been awarded Indiana’s “Best New Experience” by state tourism officials, welcoming over 50,000 visitors and creating over 5 million in economic activity.
The Fort Wayne Railroad holds regular work volunteer sessions at its restoration facility in New Haven, Indiana, during the year and is poised to become a major player in regional development with the creation of the Indiana Rail Experience.
