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Apr 18
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Headwaters Junction secures purchase agreement for riverfront right-of-way

By Headwaters Junction

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – Non-profit organization and potential riverfront developer Headwaters Junction, Inc. has finalized a purchase agreement with railroad company Norfolk Southern Corp for one mile of historic railroad right-of-way along Fort Wayne’s growing riverfront district. Unoccupied since 2006, plans call for the right-of-way to be utilized for the proposed attraction’s tourist train operations and connect the riverfront to other area attractions. The line was originally built in the 1860’s. Read More

Dec 18
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Santa Train’s appeal only picks up steam

By Santa Train

From today’s Journal Gazette:

Kelly Lynch has seen thousands of children walk into Santa’s workshop, the last stop before boarding the Santa Train. The vice president of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society estimated that nine in 10 kids react the same way: “They say, ‘Wow!’”

And that’s even before meeting the guy in red.

This marks the 17th year the volunteer organization has welcomed families to the countryside east of New Haven to meet Santa Claus, share their wish lists and pose for photos during a short train trip.

About 6,000 people made the journey this year over three weekends, Lynch said. Today is the last day for the event, which has been sold out for weeks. Read More

Aug 26
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Steam locomotives delight crowds during open house

By News, Press Coverage

The Journal Gazette covers our 2018 Open House…

Crowds gathered as the historic steam locomotive No. 765 let out a whistle as it sat on the tracks during the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society’s open house on Saturday.

The glossy black engine, which was the first locomotive to make its way across Fort Wayne’s elevated railroads, had coals stacked high as conductors climbed aboard.

In its seventeenth year, the open house event in New Haven was expected to attract 4,000 to 5,000 visitors over the weekend.

Read More

Jul 11
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Society welcomes special steam locomotive guest at 2018 Open House

By Events, News

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will host its Open House on August 17th, 18th and 19th and steam locomotive Jeddo Coal Company no. 85, a restored tank engine.

Built in 1928 and restored by the Gramling Locomotive Works of Ashley, Indiana, the tank engine will be transported by truck to the Society’s facility and operate train rides throughout the weekend. Ticket sales begin August 1st.
Read More

May 15
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Grants from Emery Rail Heritage Trust kick-off 
critical fundraising effort for Positive Train Control

By News
July 8th, 2017 – The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society convened a meeting and solicited input from from over half a dozen mainline steam locomotive organizations and The Emery Rail Heritage Trust to address the challenge of Positive Train Control.
The Emery Rail Heritage Trust, Friends of the 261 and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) are pleased to announce $60,000 in grants to fund the development and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) on two historic steam locomotives: Milwaukee Road no. 261 and Nickel Plate Road no. 765. Each organization will receive $30,000 respectively to kick-start their individual fundraising efforts in order to cover the estimated $120,000 for implementation. Read More

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