ELKHART, INDIANA – The National New York Central Railroad Museum, in partnership with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, invites the public to an Open House on Saturday, September 13, to learn more about the future of Elkhart’s railroad museum collection.
Hosted at the museum’s campus, the event will highlight a new strategic partnership aimed at developing a long-term vision for the museum’s rolling stock collection and the collaborative restoration of New York Central steam locomotive No. 3001. For more information or to RSVP to the open house in person or attend remotely, please visit click here.
As part of this process, the museum is undertaking a careful review of its outdoor equipment collection and will begin implementing a formal deaccession policy — not to remove all equipment, but to responsibly identify items that no longer align with the museum’s mission or fall outside the scope of available resources due to deterioration. Items with limited interpretive value, duplication, or poor structural condition may be made available to qualified preservation entities through a public request and evaluation process.
“The goal is not to empty the yard, but to elevate the museum,” said Brent Holaway, Executive Director of the National New York Central Railroad Museum. “While rolling stock is important, our broader aim is to deliver a world-class museum experience. We’ve maintained a beautiful and educational facility indoors, but the reality is that we’ve simply not had the resources to properly care for the 20 or more pieces of railroad equipment outdoors.
Every piece that remains, or that can be transferred to another organization, should help tell the story of railroading more clearly, more beautifully, and more sustainably. We’re approaching this initial deaccession process in a careful and curated manner, and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has been an immense help in guiding that effort and ensuring we can chart a path for the New York Central to play an important role in the development of this neighborhood again,” stated Holaway.
The Open House will include:
• Strategic presentations from NNYCRM and FWRHS representatives
• A detailed overview of the deaccession framework and eligibility criteria
• Introduction of a formal request process for qualified museums and groups
• Updates on the restoration of New York Central steam locomotive No. 3001, part of the national American Locomotive Project
This initiative aligns with the broader community development vision for the Benham neighborhood, where the museum is located. As part of the University of Notre Dame’s 2023 Dean’s Charrette, the museum was identified as a catalytic space for neighborhood revitalization — transforming from a static collection of deteriorating artifacts into an engaging public space and destination for rail history.
ABOUT
NATIONAL NEW YORK CENTRAL RAILROAD MUSEUM
Located in Elkhart, Indiana, the museum preserves the history and legacy of the New York Central System through interactive exhibits, restored equipment, and educational programming.
FORT WAYNE RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
An industry leader in heritage rail preservation, FWRHS operates historic steam excursions and is spearheading the restoration of New York Central No. 3001, which will become the only operational New York Central steam locomotive in existence.
Museum Rolling Stock Reference List. This record provides a general overview of rail equipment currently located on-site at the museum. It does not include passenger cars permanently attached to the museum structure or New York Central steam locomotive No. 3001 and auxiliary water tender. Please note: This list is not a deaccession list and should not be considered comprehensive. It is intended solely as a working reference to summarize existing artifacts and may be updated or revised at any time.
New York, New Haven & Hartford Grill-Dining Car No. 953 –
Built in 1949 by Pullman-Standard for the New Haven Railroad. Originally a grill-diner with seating for 48. Later used in work train service after mergers. Retains some visible Conrail and Penn Central markings.
South Shore Railroad Electric Commuter Car No. 15 –
Built by Pullman in 1926 for the Chicago South Shore & South Bend. Lengthened mid-life and remained in service into the 1970s. Roller-bearing equipped.
Milwaukee Road Refrigerated Boxcar No. 38794 –
A standard 40-foot reefer built for the Milwaukee Road. Used to transport perishable goods before modern mechanical refrigeration.
Indiana Harbor Belt Caboose No. 75 –
Originally a Santa Fe caboose, later repainted and numbered for Indiana Harbor Belt. Limited direct ties to the NYC system.
New York Central Transfer Caboose No. 18136 –
Converted from a boxcar and used for yard and transfer service. Distinctive in its appearance, but not an original caboose build.
Baltimore & Ohio Boxcar No. 288257 –
50-foot AAR two-door boxcar representing standard late-era freight equipment. One of two similar B&O boxcars on the property.
X26 Pennsylvania Railroad Wooden Boxcar –
Historic PRR boxcar of wood construction, in poor condition. Rare survivor of its type.
Pennsylvania Railroad Boxcar No. 499656 –
Wooden PRR boxcar with deteriorated structure. Not representative of NYC history but historically notable for the PRR.
Pennsylvania Railroad Baggage Car No. 45710 –
PRR baggage car with no direct NYC connection. Duplicated in purpose by other RPO/baggage cars on site.
Merchants Despatch / Flexi-Van Flatcars Nos. 725220 and 725023 –
Flatcars formerly used in containerized Flexi-Van service. Currently lack trailers and visual context.
Minneapolis Northfield & Southern Caboose No. 10 –
An MN&S caboose not associated with the NYC. Wood components and frame show deterioration.
New York Central 250-ton Crane X-13 and Idler Car No. 45205 –
Diesel-powered wreck crane built in 1946. Formerly based in Selkirk and used by Conrail. Roller bearing-equipped.
New York Central Single-Dome Tank Car No. 16039 –
Built in 1952 for liquid transport on the NYC. Single-dome car. Not roller-bearing equipped.
New York Central Hopper NNYX 902 –
3-bay covered hopper. Original service number is as of yet unknown. Roller-bearing equipped.
New York Central EMD E8 Diesel-Electric No. 4085 –
Built in 1953. Led the final eastbound 20th Century Limited. Acquired from New Jersey Transit in 1989.
New York Central Bay-Window Caboose No. 21084 –
Built in 1963. Century Green paint. Represents NYC’s later caboose designs.
New York Central 150-ton Crane X-28 –
Steam-powered wreck crane based in Croton-on-Hudson. Used for derailments and heavy lifting.
New York Central Standard Caboose No. 19211 –
Wood-sided caboose. Recently restored and used in static display as part of a train-watching platform.
Milwaukee Road Refrigerated Car No. 38662 –
Built in 1954. Wood-insulated reefer used with ice cooling. Similar in construction to 38794.
New York Central/Michigan Central Mail-Baggage Car No. 1016 –
Built in 1914. Originally included Railway Post Office space. Later used in work train service.
Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 No. 4882 Electric Locomotive –
Built in 1939. Ran under its own power until 1983. Famous for cab ride by King George VI. One of 16 surviving GG1s.
Baltimore & Ohio Boxcar No. 288121 –
Used as a billboard and marketing display. Positioned prominently over Benham Avenue.
Conrail N21A Caboose No. 21230 –
Built in 1978 by Fruit Growers Express. One of three N21A cabooses constructed.
The event will include free tours of the restored 1880s-era depot, railroad exhibits, live music, and family-friendly activities, as well as special Ice Cream Train rides aboard a vintage passenger train departing from the depot in the late afternoon. Tickets for the Ice Cream Train go on sale July 24 at 6:00 PM at 
