News Archives - Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society

Mar 01

TinCaps Partner with Fort Wayne Railroad for “Alternate Identity”

By Kelly Lynch Events, News

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Paying homage to the area’s rich railroad history, the Fort Wayne TinCaps announced this evening the team will be playing as the “PufferBellies” every Wednesday night game, May through August, during the 2026 season.

The name “PufferBellies” refers to the nickname given to steam-powered locomotives, which would “puff” steam into the air produced by the giant boilers located in the “belly” of the massive engines.

One of the most famous “PufferBellies” is the 765 engine, maintained and preserved by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historic Society.

“One of the things that excites us the most about the PufferBellies identity is being able to partner with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historic Society,” stated Michael Limmer, TinCaps Vice President of Marketing. “Their work to preserve the Nickel Plate Road’s 765 – a S-2 class 2-8-4 “Berkshire” type steam locomotive, is inspiring.”

The 765 engine, which is serviced and stored in the Fort Wayne Railroad Historic Society’s restoration facility in New Haven when not operating on excursions, stands 15 ft 8 in tall and is over 100 feet long. The massive feat of engineering weighs in at 800,000 pounds with a top speed of over 80 miles per hour!

The 765 was built 1944 just across the state line in Lima, Ohio by the Lima Locomotive Works. In 1963 the 765 was donated to the City of Fort Wayne and displayed at Lawton Park to commemorate the elevation of the railroad through downtown. The 1970s saw the formation of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historic Society, created in part to get the 765 back into working order, which they did, having it able to run excursion routes in the 80s and 90s. Officially retired in 1993, the 765 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

After more extensive work, the 765 was completely overhauled and returned to service in 2005, and has been going strong ever since – the admiration of young and old alike.

“Trains and baseball both have avid and dedicated fans,” said Fort Wayne Railroad Historic Society Executive Director, Kelly Lynch. “We know a train-based identity, like the PufferBellies, will be able to bring those fanbases together. We’re excited to partner with the TinCaps to educate fans at Parkview Field about this area’s rich railroad history.”

Fort Wayne has long been a center of industry – a centralized hub originally due to its location at the confluence of three rivers. However, as the country transitioned from canal transport to railroads, the area continued to be a throughway and artery for freight between major Midwest cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Chicago.

The most highly regarded railroad to run through Fort Wayne was the Nickel Plate Road, which originally spanned from Buffalo, New York to Chicago – connecting the East Coast with the heart of the Midwest. Mighty “stream” engines, the “PufferBellies”, serviced the line with giants like the 765 engine powering freight down the Nickel Plate Road. The railway would expand over its 83 years of service, eventually connecting Pittsburgh and St. Louis as well as other communities criss-crossing the Heartland.

Minor League Baseball is filled with train-themed identities, including the Hartford Yard Goats, Round Rock Express, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, and Fort Wayne is no exception. The Fort Wayne Railroaders played in the Central League, fielding a team in 1901, 1903-1906, 1912, and 1914.

The PufferBellies primary logo features the iconic profile of a steam-powered engine, also includes the PufferBellies wordmark. The wordmark font is inspired by the same font and colors used by the Nickel Plate Road – gold lettering on a black background.

The interlocking “PB” hat logo draws its design from the interlocking “P” and “L” in Nickel Plate Road.

The ancillary marks are all symbols of the railway, with a friendly conductor, engine bell, and an engine number plate emblazoned with “260” in honor our community’s area code.

The PufferBellies logos were designed entirely by TinCaps Creative Director, Tony DesPlaines.

The Fort Wayne PufferBellies will also wear specially designed uniforms. The team’s jerseys will be black, gold, and teal, featuring the PufferBellies logo across on the chest. The back displays the players’ numbers in gold, while the sleeves include a teal-accented train track.

Similarly, the two-toned caps have a teal bill with a black outline and white forward front panel with the interlocking “PB” logo in the center. The uniform will be worn with black pants, belt and socks.

ABOUT THE FORT WAYNE RAILROAD

For more than 50 years, the Fort Wayne Railroad has created unique, memorable experiences celebrating the Golden Age of Railroading — a transformative era of American transportation, innovation, and connectivity spanning the 1930s through the 1950s. Founded in 1972, the nonprofit is best known for operating world-famous Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765 in public exhibitions and passenger excursions that routinely draw visitors from all 50 states and several countries.

ABOUT THE TINCAPS

Since Fort Wayne’s Minor League Baseball franchise was founded in 1993 (known as the Wizards through 2008), 235 players have gone on to play in Major League Baseball. Since opening in 2009, Parkview Field has been perennially ranked as the No. 1 ballpark experience in the minors by Baseball America and Stadium Journey. Over the years, the TinCaps have been awarded as Minor League Baseball’s Organization of the Year, and also received accolades for community service, hospitality, promotions, and more. In 2022, Team President Mike Nutter won Minor League Baseball’s Executive of the Year Award and was named the Journal Gazette’s Fort Wayne Citizen of the Year in 2024.

Nov 30

Love0

Preserving the Christmas Train Tradition

By Kelly Lynch Events, News, video

Step into a rolling sleigh of holiday wonder as Santa Claus returns to Northeast Indiana, Southeastern Michigan, and Western Ohio aboard the Cameron Christmas Train. Arriving the week before Thanksgiving, this luminous little train carried more than gifts — it carried a century-old tradition of railroads reaching into their communities with generosity and joy.

Powered by Cameron Health — with support from Cardinal Glass, the Hillsdale Meijer store, South Milford Grain, and Hillsdale College — the train was operated through the combined efforts of the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, the Fort Wayne Railroad, and the Little River Railroad.

On Saturday, the spectacle grew even brighter as Little River’s beloved steam locomotive No. 110 took the lead as a live-steam gift wrapped in wonder. Over three evenings, Santa’s journey stretched from Edon to South Milford, from Pleasant Lake to Reading, and from Hillsdale to Coldwater. At each stop, families gathered along the tracks to watch the train arrive and as Santa and his helpers stepped down to hand out gifts.

The Cameron Christmas Train rolls in like a carol made of steel and light — kindness humming in its wheels, joy drifting from its stack, reminding every town along the line that wonder still keeps a timetable and Santa still arrives by rail.

For more information, visit: https://www.indianarailexperience.org/

Nov 24

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2026 Shop Expansion, Year-End Matching Gift Opportunities for Projects Announced

By Kelly Lynch News, Projects

Expansion of New Haven restoration building will host the rebuilding of historic New York Central artifacts

NORTHEAST INDIANA — As the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society closes out its fourth season of the Indiana Rail Experience, the organization is announcing a major expansion of its New Haven restoration shop — the first addition to the facility in more than 30 years. The expansion comes as the nonprofit prepares for the arrival of New York Central steam locomotive No. 3001 and accelerates its growing slate of passenger car restorations.
Since launching operations on the Indiana Northeastern Railroad in 2022, the Indiana Rail Experience has welcomed over 70,000 passengers across 142 operating days, averaging approximately 500 guests per day. This rapid growth has driven the need for expanded facilities to support year-round railroad preservation, education, and excursion services.

In partnership with Toro Steel, the Fort Wayne Railroad will construct a 120 × 56-foot addition to its shop, nearly doubling its working footprint. A Special Projects Grant — made possible through the David Donoho Fund — includes a matching opportunity to help fund more than $300,000 in erection costs, including the structure itself, electric service, concrete, and additional track.

“This expansion couldn’t come at a better time,” said Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad. “No. 3001 and the same kind of passenger cars it once pulled will soon be brought back to life under one roof. Expanding our shop means expanding our impact – more riders, more memories, and more opportunities to pass on the skills that keep railroad history alive.”

The organization is also announcing two separate year-end matching funds:

SHOP EXPANSION MATCH: Every contribution of $250 or more will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $149,000.
NEW YORK CENTRAL 3001 MATCH: All contributions up to $10,000 toward No. 3001’s restoration will be matched through December 31.

The Fort Wayne Railroad continues to broaden its programming and capacity. Recent accomplishments include the exterior restoration of the Pleasant Lake depot, ongoing installation of more than 1,500 feet of track for passenger car storage and service, and restoration work on historic assets, including a 1950s refrigerated freight car, an Erie Lackawanna semaphore, and multiple passenger cars such as Silver Diner, Centlivre Park, and Lawton Park.

Volunteer recruitment remains a centerpiece of the organization’s mission, with more than 130 members participating in the most recent orientation. Upgraded volunteer lodging in a recently acquired sleeping car and expanded training opportunities aim to support the growing ranks of preservationists and excursion crew.

“Everything we do, from running excursions to restoring century-old machines, starts in the shop,” Lynch added. “This expansion ensures that the next era of the Fort Wayne Railroad is built on a strong, well-equipped foundation.”

Donations can be made at: fwrhs.org/donate

Checks may be mailed to: Fort Wayne Railroad, PO Box 11017, Fort Wayne, IN 46855. Our EIN number is 23-7255168.

Membership information: fortwaynerailroad.org/join

Check out our shop at work below!

ABOUT THE FORT WAYNE RAILROAD

Jul 08

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Fort Wayne Railroad Hires Second Full-Time Employee to Support Expanding Rail Tourism Effort

By Kelly Lynch News

NORTHEAST INDIANA – As part of its growing rail tourism initiative, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has hired its second full-time employee: non-profit leader and project engineer Matt Martini, who will serve as the organization’s new Railroad Mechanical Specialist.

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Inc. has significantly expanded its excursion, preservation, educational, and public outreach programs in recent years through the launch of the Indiana Rail Experience — a 100-mile rail tourism attraction operated in partnership with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad. This rapid growth has included the expansion of its vintage passenger car fleet and a dramatic increase in restoration activity. Since 2022, the organization has restored six pieces of historic passenger equipment, acquired three fully operable cars, and assembled a growing roster of eight additional cars awaiting future restoration, laying the foundation for one of the most impressive and capable heritage fleets in the Midwest.

To support this momentum, the organization created the position of Railroad Mechanical Specialist to lead the preservation, maintenance, and mechanical care of its historic rolling stock and facilities. Martini’s new role consolidates responsibilities previously shared among dedicated contractors and volunteers, providing full-time leadership while continuing to collaborate with the organization’s steadfast volunteer corps.

“Matt has been an adept and capable non-profit partner for our organization for several years,” said Kelly Lynch, Executive Director. “His love of history, technical acumen, and passion for public education and preservation make him a natural fit as we sought a full-time steward for our passenger car fleet and restoration efforts.”

Martini brings a diverse background in industrial tool-building, petrochemical work, electrical contracting, and design-build construction. He is also the founder of Lauer Farms 1944, a World War II living history experience based in Lima, Ohio. Inspired by his family’s connections to both the Pacific and European theaters of the war, Martini created Lauer Farms to honor that legacy, and through that endeavor, he gained a deep appreciation for the Lima Locomotive Works, builder of the Fort Wayne Railroad’s iconic steam locomotive, Nickel Plate Road no. 765.

Lauer Farms and the Fort Wayne Railroad have previously collaborated on major living history events in 2022 and 2024, drawing more than 6,000 visitors to the region across two weekends. Lauer Farms’ flagship events each fall regularly attract over 360 reenactors from 27 states and two countries, along with more than 1,500 public attendees.

Funding for the new role has been made possible through the Fort Wayne Railroad’s new Passenger Car Maintenance Fund — an investment trust established by the Indianapolis Foundation and the David Donoho Fund. This dedicated resource supports the restoration, care, and ongoing maintenance of the organization’s existing passenger car fleet.

Matt Martini – Lauer Farms 1944 Civilian Impressionjpg

Mar 18

Love0

New York Central No. 3001 Kick-Off Fundraiser Passes 56% Milestone

By Kelly Lynch News

Mechanical Work Begins on New York Central Steam Locomotive, $20,000 Fundraising Match Announced

ELKHART, IND. – The American Locomotive Project, a campaign to revive a distinctive 1940s steam-powered time machine from the New York Central Railroad, has reached 56% of its $500,000 kick-off goal as the engine’s custodians hold their first official work session.

To date, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has raised over $284,643, and a new $20,000 donor match has been announced for all contributions made between now and April 30, 2025. Donations can be made online at americanloco.org or by mail.

On Saturday, February 8, a small team of volunteers removed the locomotive’s original slide-valve, steam-driven air compressor – which had previously sustained freeze damage – in exchange for a newer model.

The swap was facilitated by FMW Solutions and arranged by the Abbeville Foundation, owners of Florida East Coast steam locomotive No. 253, which is undergoing a cosmetic restoration for a community exhibition in Abbeville, Alabama. The trade will provide locomotive No. 3001 with a more modern, recently refurbished air compressor, reducing restoration costs. More comprehensive mechanical prep work for 3001 is scheduled for September, during a planned break in Fort Wayne’s excursion season.

“Since October of last year, we’ve had over 500 donors contribute to push us past the 50% mark, with some gifts ranging between $20,000 and $50,000,” shared Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. “Our objective is to raise $500,000 by May, as it marks the 68th anniversary of the end of steam on the New York Central Railroad. This funding will support preparation, transportation, and initial restoration work. It will also demonstrate that this locomotive’s grassroots transformation into a cultural attraction has the required support to make it a reality in the 21st century—which we firmly believe it does.”

Since 1972, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has worked to restore and transform historic railroad equipment into operating cultural attractions, most notably Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765. For over 40 years, its dedicated volunteers have exhibited vintage rail attractions throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States.

In association with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, the organization created the Indiana Rail Experience in 2022 and now routinely operates tourist trains between Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. With growing attendance numbers and an economic impact of over $3 million, the 100-mile-long route was named Indiana’s Best New Experience in 2023. Much of the current route for the Indiana Rail Experience includes former New York Central Railroad trackage and features restored passenger cars and railroad stations from the original railroad, creating a genuine, immersive recreation of an inspirational era in American industry.

In the first half of the 20th century, the New York Central Railroad was a premier means of travel for millions of Americans. The railroad carried citizens, workers, and vacationers from every walk of life aboard its renowned steel fleet of famous trains. The Central’s flagship trains, such as the 20th Century Limited, Empire State Express, Mercury, and others, symbolized the optimism of the Art Deco era and embodied a dedication to public service. This will be the first time since 1957 that one of its most recognizable icons has a clear path toward operational restoration.

Jan 19

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Fort Wayne Railroad acquires rare piece of Pullman legacy

By Kelly Lynch News

Distinguished passenger car reunited with home railroad history

NORTHEAST INDIANA – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has purchased the prestigious Pullman passenger car Kitchi Gammi Club from Virginia Rail Investment Group, which restored and operated the historic car for over 36 years under private ownership. This one-of-a-kind Pullman, which is also certified to travel on Amtrak passenger trains, expands the organization’s tourist train experiences and complements its existing collection of operating Nickel Plate equipment and its growing fleet of passenger cars.

“We’re honored to inherit not only this special historic gem but also to celebrate the work and passion that the car’s owners, Chuck Jensen and Chuck Akers, invested in preserving this unique piece of passenger rail history,” stated Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. “The Kitchi Gammi Club is right at home traveling behind the kinds of locomotives that once carried it throughout the railroad’s system. We’re especially thankful for our gracious donors and members who were able to quickly support this acquisition.”

“Virginia Rail Investment is excited to transfer ownership to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society so that the car’s legacy can be carried forward,” stated Chuck Jensen of Virginia Rail Investment.

Tickets to ride aboard the Kitchi Gammi Club will be available as part of the 2025 season of the Indiana Rail Experience and a schedule will be forthcoming at indianarails.org. As the only Amtrak-certified heavyweight open-section car operating in the United States, the Kitchi Gammi Club will maintain its Amtrak certification for the immediate future. Inquiries on Amtrak charters can be directed to contact@fwrhs.org.

Plans call for the organization to begin fundraising to return the car to its original Pullman appearance and to outfit the interior with authentic Pullman decor and furnishings. Donations for the Kitchi Gammi Club can be made at fortwaynerailroad.org/donate.

DONATE TO PRESERVE KITCHI GAMMI

Constructed in 1923, the elegant Pullman car was nearly scrapped after finishing its career in wreck train service, during which its ornate interior was almost entirely stripped. Between 1988 and 2019, Chuck Jensen and Chuck Akers meticulously overhauled and restored the car. In addition to operating in Amtrak service, the Kitchi Gammi Club regularly participated in National Railway Historical Society conventions and was routinely used as part of the Norfolk & Western steam program, eventually racking up tens of thousands of miles.

The acquisition of a Nickel Plate Road and Pullman passenger car represents a long-held curatorial interest for the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and its late founding member Glenn Brendel.

The Kitchi Gammi Club is the fourth operating car to join the organization’s fleet since 2024, following the renovation of two former Barnum & Bailey passenger cars, which have been converted into first-class open-window coaches, and one New York Central passenger car from the original 1941 Empire State Express fleet. The organization also owns an unrestored 1950s-era dome-observation car Riding Mountain Park.

Car acquisitions and restorations are largely powered by grants, donations, ticket sales, and volunteers. For more information on how to support these efforts, visit greatsteelfleet.org.

HELP SUPPORT THE FLEET

The acquisition of the Kitchi Gammi Club was made possible in part by the Journal Gazette Foundation, Olive B. Cole Foundation, Mac & Pat Parker Foundation, Howard P. Arnold Foundation, the ME Raker Foundation, and the Morel Family Foundation.

Kitchi Gammi Club – Pullman car nameboard

Private train ride New York City Chicago Pullman car rental

Pullman train ride Chicago Indiana Michigan New York City

Nickel Plate Business Car No. 7 in Lafayette

Nickel Plate Business Car No. 7 in Warrenton circa 1948

kitchi-gammi-nickel-plate-number-7-scaled

ABOUT

For over 50 years, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has created unique and memorable experiences celebrating the Golden Age of Railroading—a transformative era of American transportation, innovation, and connectivity spanning the 1930s to the 1950s. The organization has extensively operated the historic steam locomotive Nickel Plate Road No. 765 in public exhibitions and passenger train excursions, with events regularly attracting visitors from all 50 states and several countries.

In 2023, its rail tourism program, the Indiana Rail Experience, was named Indiana’s Best New Experience by Visit Indiana. Since 2022, its events have generated an economic impact of over $3 million on Northeast Indiana.

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s operations are made possible entirely by volunteers and funded through ticket sales, memberships, donations, grants, and sponsorships. For more information, visit fortwaynerailroad.org.