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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

Sep 03

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Rust and Renewal: Strategic Planning Open House for Elkhart Museum Announced for September 13th

By Kelly Lynch Events

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.

new-york-central-museum-rolling-stock-7155

new-york-central-museum-rolling-stock-7163

new-york-central-museum-rolling-stock-7144

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new-york-central-museum-rolling-stock-5324

Jul 23

Love0

First phase of historic Pleasant Lake depot restoration completed

By Kelly Lynch Uncategorized

PLEASANT LAKE, IND. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is proud to announce the completion of the first phase of restoration at the historic Pleasant Lake railroad depot. To celebrate, the public is invited to a free open house on Saturday, August 9, coinciding with the community’s annual Pleasant Lake Days festival.

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 indianarailexperience.org.

“This station has been part of Pleasant Lake’s identity for over a century,” said Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad. “We’re thrilled to see it return as a symbol of neighborhood pride and as a destination for future events, excursions, and community.”

More than $259,000 has been raised to restore and revitalize the Pleasant Lake campus. The depot’s cosmetic restoration — completed with support from local volunteers, private donors, and Third Street Construction — includes a renewed foundation and floor in the freight house, fresh paint, replacement of damaged and rotted woodwork, new transoms and windows, restored and replica signage, new electrical and security systems, and even the incorporation of an original Lake Shore & Michigan Southern coal stove for the passenger station. This past winter, the original Pleasant Lake depot sign was returned to the building for the first time in decades, and focus will now move to restoring the station’s interior.

Underwriting and support for the project have come from Visit Indiana, Norfolk Southern, the Indiana Historical Society, the M.E. Raker Foundation, the Olive B. Cole Foundation, the Steuben County Tourism Bureau, Indiana Michigan Power, among others. Donations to support future work can be made online or by mail.

As a result of support from underwriting organizations like these, the partnership between the Fort Wayne Railroad and Indiana Northeastern Railroad has been able to host over 50,000 passengers and generate more than $5 million in economic impact across the region, according to the Steuben County Tourism Bureau.

As part of the ongoing investment in Pleasant Lake, the Fort Wayne Railroad and Indiana Northeastern are now rebuilding one of the depot’s original railroad sidings to facilitate the servicing, maintenance, and boarding of excursion trains. The new siding will be complemented by renewed landscaping and additional infrastructure, paving the way for future expansion.

Constructed in 1882 for the Fort Wayne & Jackson Railroad and later owned by the New York Central, the Pleasant Lake depot is a rare structure that combines passenger and freight service under one roof. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was once documented as one of Indiana’s 295 most threatened historic structures, a title it no longer shares.

Following the end of regular passenger service in the 1940s, the depot was briefly revived in the 1980s for tourist trains under the Little River Railroad and later preserved by residents in the 2000s.

The open house will complement the full schedule of Pleasant Lake Days festivities, including fireworks, a parade, car show, kids’ games, food trucks, and more. Visitors can expect a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the Ice Cream Train, visit indianarailexperience.org.

pleasant-lake-station-interior.jpg pleasant-lake-trio-crop

pleasant-lake-depot-acquired-august-2023-0922

Sale of Pleasant Lake Station to Farm Bureau Coop with station agent locking door 114-1

Lake Shore & Michigan Southern at Pleasant Lake Station

Pleasant Lake station in the early 1900s

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

TinCaps Partner with Fort Wayne Railroad for “Alternate Identity”

Preserving the Christmas Train Tradition

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

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

Rust and Renewal: Strategic Planning Open House for Elkhart Museum Announced for September 13th

First phase of historic Pleasant Lake depot restoration completed

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

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