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Amherst Railway Society
Grants to Railroad Related Projects and Organizations.
The Founders Award
honoring those former Amherst Railway Society members who have contributed to our current ability to make this and other financial awards to preserve Railroad artifacts for future generations.
We are announcing a major new grant, the "Founder's Award," which will be awarded annually at the ARS Railroad Hobby Show in January for the restoration or repair of a locomotive, rolling stock, or structure, for the establishment or conservation of archives, or for the education of the public about the history of Railroads or model railroads. Application deadline for the 2012 award is January 14, 2012. Click to download the full announcement.
2011 Grants
The Society received grant requests to help fund 37 projects totaling over $900,000 this year. A total of about $108,500 was requested to fund or partially fund these projects. The BOD approved full or partial funding of 29 projects for $49,530 as shown in the table below. 18 projects are funded at the full amount requested. The membership voted to ratify their decisions at the June 2011 meeting.
|
Requesting Organization |
Project Location |
Project |
Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. |
Lenox, MA |
1894 New Haven Baggage Car move |
$4,000. |
|
Boothbay Railway Village |
Boothbay, ME |
Ongoing restoration of Freeport Station |
$2,000. |
|
Boston Street Railway Association, Inc. |
Guilford, CT |
Ongoing restoration of Boston Type 5 trolley 5706. |
$1,500. |
|
Branford Electric Railway Association/Shoreline Trolley Museum |
East Haven, CT |
Connecticut Company Car 865 |
$2,000. |
|
Brooks Preservation Society |
Brooks, ME |
Brooks Railroad Station preservation |
$2,000. |
|
Central Vermont Railway Historical Society |
Burlington, VT |
Preservation of 1883 era maps of the New London Northern Railroad |
$2,155. |
|
Chester Foundation |
Chester, MA |
Install new safety fence |
$3,000. |
|
Connecticut Electric Railway Association |
East Windsor, CT |
Visitor Center Train Shed Tracks |
$1,500. |
|
Connecticut Valley Hospital |
Middletown, CT |
Switching layout to provide cognitive rehabilitation therapy |
$1,000. |
|
Danbury Railway Museum |
Danbury, CT |
Repairs to floor of Reading Coach 2001 |
$2,000. |
|
Friends of Bedford Depot Park, Inc. |
Bedford, MA |
Images for the Railroad Image Display System |
$775. |
|
Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. |
Chama, New Mexico |
Millwork for restoration of D&RGW car 470 the "Tourist Sleeper" |
$1,800. |
|
Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. |
Robertsdale, PA |
Museum Display panels. |
$1,000. |
|
Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. |
Middlefield - Chester, MA |
Keystone Arch trail upgrade. |
$1,000. |
|
Friends of the Valley Railroad |
Essex, CT |
Continued restoration of 1941 0-6-0 Porter locomotive. |
$1,500. |
|
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum |
Portland, ME and Alna, ME |
Restoration of Bridgeton and Saco River Steam Locomotive #7 |
$3,000. |
|
NRHS - Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum |
Williamantic, CT |
Prototype for construction of new roundhouse doors |
$1,500. |
|
NRHS - Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter |
Scranton, PA |
Continued restoration of B&M 3713 |
$2,000. |
|
NRHS - St. Louis Chapter |
St. Louis County, MO |
Cosmetic restoration of Rhode Island built Wabash engine #573 |
$1,000. |
|
New England Electric Railway Historical Society/Seashore Trolley Museum |
Kennebunkport, ME |
Restoration of PDY car 108 |
$1,500. |
|
New York Central System Historical Society |
Mentor, OH |
Digitization fo NYCSHS photo collection archives |
$1,250. |
|
Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum |
Fall River, Ma |
Entrance walkway and ramp |
$550. |
|
Old Colony & Newport Railway |
Middletown, RI |
Repairs to window support for B&M coach circa 1904 |
$1,000. |
|
Railroad Museum of New England, Inc. |
Thomaston, CT |
Exterior Restoration work, Canadian National Coach 5046 |
$2,000. |
|
Railways to Yesterday, Inc./Rockhill Trolley Museum |
Rockhill Furnace, PA |
Johnstown Traction Company 311 phase 2 Truck and Motor rebuilding |
$1,250. |
|
Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum |
Buckland, MA |
Carbarn Site preparation and Trackwork |
$3,000. |
|
Wilmington & Western RR |
Wilmington, DE |
Semaphore Installation |
$1,250. |
|
Windham Rail Trail Alliance |
Windham, NH |
Windham Depot Freight Building, decking |
$1,500. |
|
Wiscassset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum |
Alna, ME |
Locomotive #9 Restoration |
$1,500. |
|
Total |
$49,530 |
2010 Grants
The Society received grant requests to help fund 35 projects totaling about $1.4 million. A total of about $93,000 was requested to fund or partially fund these projects. The BOD approved full or partial funding of 30 projects for $52,988 as shown in the table below. Nineteen projects are funded at the full amount requested. The ARS membership ratified their decisions at the June 2010 meeting.
| Requesting Organization | Project Location | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alco Historical & Technical Society | Cohocton, NY | Preparing and transporting rare Alco C636 demonstrator locomotive to Schenectady NY | $3,000. |
| Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. | Lenox MA | Remove and replace wheel sets on Also S-1 #0954 | $3,000. |
| Boothbay Railway Village | Boothbay, ME | Restoration of S. D. Warren Locomotive No. 2 | $2,000. |
| Boston Street Railway Association, Inc. | Guilford, CT | Ongoing restoration of Boston Type 5 trolley 5706. (2nd Vestibule, flip over seats. | $1,500. |
| Branford Electric Railway Association/Shoreline Trolley Museum | East Haven CT | Car 865 interior and motors | $2,000. |
| Brooks Preservation Society | Brooks ME | Brooks Railroad Station Preservation | $1,000. |
| Bucksgahuda and Western RR Company | St. Mary's PA | Secure and restore a Penn RR Signal | $1,015. |
| Central Vermont Railway Historical Society | Burlington VT | Clean mend and preserve 1883 era maps of the New London Northern Railroad. | $1,000. |
| Chester Foundation | Chester MA | Install custom made Plexiglas panels to protect station windows. | $1,600. |
| Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, Inc. | Kent, CT | Build 3ft gauge handcar from original hardware | $500. |
| Connecticut Electric Railway Association | East Windsor CT | Visitor Center train shed track | $2,500. |
| Danbury Railway Museum | Danbury, CT | Repairs to NH RDC #32 | $3,000. |
| Friends of Bedford Depot Park, Inc. | Bedford, MA | Railroad Image Display System | $880. |
| Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. | Chama, New Mexico | Rotary Plow Interpretive Program | $1,680. |
| Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. | Rockhill Furnace, PA | Rattan upholstery cloth for Combination Baggage passenger cars. | $1,000. |
| Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. | Kiosk for the Chester and Becket Trail. | $1,500. | |
| Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum | Portland, ME and Alna, ME | Labor to replace rigid and flexible staybolts on B&SR steam loco #7 | $3,000. |
| NRHS - Central New York Chapter NRHS | Marcellus, NY | Replace Martisco Station Asphalt Platform | $1,500. |
| NRHS - Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter | Scranton, PA | B&M #3713 Restoration | $2,000. |
| NRHS - Rochester Chapter | Rush, NY | Replace main and equalizing air brake reservoirs on GE 110 #8 | $1,863. |
| New England Electric Railway Historical Society/Seashore Trolley Museum | Kennebunkport, ME | Interior restoration ARV wooden combine No. 70 | $2,000. |
| New York Central System Historical Society | Mentor, OH | Move of Archives | $1,500. |
| Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum | Fall River, Ma | Raise Yard office 6", replace joists, subfloor and floor | $450. |
| Old Colony & Newport Railway | Middletown, RI | Repairs to sills on 1884 Parlor car | $1,000. |
| Railroad Museum of New England, Inc. | Thomaston, CT | Continuing Restoration Coach 5805 | $3,500. |
| Railway Restoration Project 113 | Minersville, PA | Renew all worn or broken steam manifold valves | $1,500. |
| Railways to Yesterday, Inc./Rockhill Trolley Museum | Rockhill Furnace, PA | Overhaul and rehab of trucks and motors for Johnstown 311 | $2,500. |
| Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum | Buckland, MA | Overhaul of one GE-80 Traction Motor | $2,000. |
| Windham Rail Trail Alliance | Windham, NH | Windham Depot Building Renovation | $1,000. |
| Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum | Alna, ME | Volunteer Rest Quarters | $2,000. |
|
Total
|
$52,988
|
2009 Grants
The Society received grant requests to help fund 38 projects totaling about $2.6 million. A total of about $115,000 was requested to fund or partially fund these projects. The BOD approved full or partial funding of 33 projects for $48,985 as shown in the table below. Fifteen projects are funded at the full amount requested. The BOD asks the ARS membership to ratify their decisions at the June 2009 meeting.
| Requesting Organization | Project Location | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondack Scenic Railroad | Utica, NY | New Coach Seat Cushions | $1,000. |
| Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. | Lenox, MA | Locomotive #0954 Alco S1 Body Repair and Paint | $2,500. |
| Beverly Historical Society and Museum | Beverly, MA | Walker Transportation Collection Photograph Digitalization Project | $1,000. |
| Boothbay Railway Village | Boothbay ME | Complete Restoration of MEC Octagonal Crossing Shanty | $1,500. |
| Boston Street Railway Association, Inc. | Guilford, CT | Boston Type 5 No. 5706 Restoration | $1,500. |
| Branford Electric Railwa | Association/Shoreline Trolley Museum | Branford CT Connecticut Company Car 865 Restoration | $2,000. |
| Chester Foundation | Chester, MA | Safety/Security Lighting and Archival Vault | $1,350. |
| Connecticut Electric Railway Association | East Windsor, CT | Restoration of Diesel Switcher 1 to operational condition | $2,500. |
| Danbury Railway Museum | Danbury CT | NYC “Tonawanda Valley” Observation Lounge Car restoration | $2,000. |
| Flying Yankee Restoration Group | Lincoln NH | Bringing Electric Power to The Flying Yankee site. | $2,500. |
| Fostoria Rail Preservation Society | Fostoria OH | T&OC Depot (NYC Depot/Gray Printing Depot) | $1,000. |
| Friends of Bedford Depot Park, Inc. | Bedford, MA | Billerica and Bedford Railroad Historical Display | $845. |
| Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. | Chama,NM | RPO Car 54 Materials for Left Hand Side Framing | $1,500. |
| Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. | Robertsdale, PA | Museum Alarm System | $1,500. |
| Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. | Chester, MA | Chester & Becket R.R. Trail bridge | $1,000. |
| New England Electric Railway Historical Society/Seashore Trolley Museum | Kennebunkport ME | 1906 Atlantic Shore Line wooden electric locomotive No. 100(ASL-100) restoration | $2,000. |
| New York Central System Historical Society | Mentor, OH | Shipping Historic Materials | $1,500. |
| NRHS - Central New York Chapter NRHS | Marcellus NY | Martisco Station Museum Library | $1,000. |
| NRHS - Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter | Scranton PA | Rebuilding B&M 3713 Locomotive | $2,000. |
| NRHS - Rochester Chapter | Rush NY | Glass replacement GE 45 tonner RGE #1941 | $1,390. |
| NRHS - Western Connecticut Chapter | SoNo Switch Tower Norwalk CT | Restoration of Cos Cob Electrical Board | $1,500. |
| Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum | Fall River, MA | Museum Entrance Loading Dock | $1,300. |
| Old Colony & Newport Railway | Middletown RI | “West Side” Coach Repair | $1,000. |
| Palmer Public Library | Palmer MA | Railroad Research Center Microfilm vault cabinet | $1,100. |
| Railroad Museum of Long Island | Riverhead, NY | GE 25 tonner LIR 399 Restoration Project | $500. |
| Railroad Museum of New England, Inc. | Thomaston CT | Naugatuck Coach 5805 restoration | $2,500. |
| Railway Restoration Project Project 113 | Minersville, PA | Restoration of Jersey Central Engine 113 | $1,000. |
| Railways to Yesterday, Inc./ Rockhill Trolley Museum | Furnace PA | Johnstown Traction Company 311 Phase 2 Truck and Motor Rebuilding | $1,000. |
| Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad | Phillips ME | Car Barn building | $2,500. |
| Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum | Buckland, MA | Car Barn phase 1 | $1,500. |
| Windham Rail Trail Alliance | Windham, NH | Windham Depot Buildings Renovation | $1,000. |
| Windsor Locks Preservation Association, Inc. | Windsor Locks CT | Preservation & Restoration of Windsor Locks Station | $1,000. |
| Wiscassset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum | Alna, ME | Car Shop Improvement | $1,500. |
| Total | $48,985 |
Amherst Railway Society - 2008 Grants
The Society received grant requests to help fund 35 projects totaling about $1 million. A total of about $60,000 was requested to fund or partially fund these projects.
The BOD approved full or partial funding of 22 projects for $45,241 as shown in the table below. Seventeen projects are funded at the full amount requested. The ARS membership ratified their decisions at the June 2008 meeting.
| Requesting Organization | Project Location | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay State Model Railroad Museum | Roslindale MA | Interior Renovations | $900 |
| Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. | Lennox MA | Coach #341 Restoration | $3,000 |
| Boothbay Railway Village | Boothbay ME | Carhouse construction | $2,000 |
| Branford Electric Railway Association/Shoreline Trolley Museum | Branford CT | Connecticut Company #865 renovations (1905 Wason Car) | $4,000 |
| Central New York Chapter NRHS | Marcellus NY | Library Relocation Project | $750 |
| Chester Foundation | Chester MA | Roofwalk restoration on vintage freight cars | $3,106 |
| Connecticut Eastern Chapter NRHS, (Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum) | Willimantic CT | Repair/Restoration of McWilliams Spot Tamper | $1,500 |
| Danbury Railway Museum | Danbury CT | Turntable repairs/restoration | $3,000 |
| Flying Yankee Restoration Group | Lincoln NH | Restoration of Flying Yankee | $2,500 |
| Fostoria Rail Preservation Society | Fostoria OH | Relocation of T&OC Depot to Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park | $2,000 |
| Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. | Chama NM | Antonito Car Barn construction | $1,800 |
| Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. | Huntington MA | Keystone Arch Bridges Trail maps | $1,000 |
| Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley NRHS Chapter | Scranton PA | Restoration of B & M #3713 | $2,000 |
| New England Electric Railway Historical Society / Seashore Trolley Museum | Kennebunkport ME | 1906 Manchester Street Railway Car #38 restoration/repair | $1,500 |
| Old Colony & Newport Railway | Middletown RI | Door replacement on parlor car#74 | $675 |
| Palmer Public Library | Palmer MA | Digital microfilm scanner | $4,860 |
| Railroad Museum of New England, Inc. | Thomaston CT | Restoration of Naugatuck Coach 5046 | $3,000 |
| Railways to Yesterday/Rockhill Trolley Museum | Rockhill Furnace PA | Johnstown Traction Co. #311 Restoration | $1,000 |
| Rochester Chapter, NRHS | Rush NY | Restoration of WA&G X3710 snowplow (nee-B&M #3710) | $650 |
| Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad | Phillips ME | Restoration of P&R coach #4 | $3,000 |
| Windsor Locks Preservation Association, Inc. | Windsor Locks CT | Preservation & Restoration of Windsor Locks Station | $1,000 |
| Wiscassset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum | Alna ME | Restoration Shop construction | $2,000 |
| Total | $45,241 |
Amherst Railway Society
Announces 2007 Grants
Amherst Railway Society grants over $32,500 to support railway restoration and preservation projects
Amherst, MA, June 19, 2007 – The membership of the Amherst Railway Society approved grants of $32,578 to fully or partially fund 29 railroad related restoration and preservation projects. The Society received 35 grant requests of just over $100,000 to fully or partially fund projects with a total cost in excess of $3.5 million. Since 1991, the Society has granted more than $300,000 to fund railroad related restoration and preservation projects.
One of the largest grants, $2,000, was made to the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum to allow them to extend and rehabilitate track and overhead wire at their site in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.
Another grant to the Friends of the Keystone Arches provides an interpretive sign for the Keystone Arch Bridge Trail in Huntington, MA. This sign will provide information about the Keystone Arch Bridges along the Westfield River as well as marking the end of the trail.
The Palmer Public Library received a $1,000 grant to provide security for its Railroad Research Center.
An application form for 2008 grants can be found at: http://www.AmherstRail.org/ARS-Grant-Application.pdf
Amherst Railway Society 2007 Grants
| Requesting Organization | Project Location | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay State Model Railroad Museum | Roslindale MA | Repairs/Replace Roof | $850 |
| Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Inc. | Lennox MA | Loco #9128 in Service Project | $1,500 |
| Boothbay Railway Village | Boothbay ME | Combine 11 Š casting new journal boxes | $1,000 |
| Boston Street Railway Association, Inc. | Boston MA | Boston type 5, #5706 restoration | $1,000 |
| Branford Electric Railway Association/Shoreline Trolley Museum | Branford CT | Connecticut Company #865 renovations (1905 Wason Car) | $1,000 |
| Central New York Chapter NRHS | Marcellus NY | Chimney repairs to Martiscio Station | $500 |
| Chester Foundation | Chester MA | Food Service upgrade at the Chester Station Railway Museum | $200 |
| Connecticut Eastern Chapter NRHS, (Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum) | Willimantic CT | Reroofing of copper clad wooden coach & baggage car | $750 |
| Connecticut Electric Railway Association | East Windsor CT | Repairs to Service Car S-193 | $1,500 |
| Danbury Railway Museum | Danbury CT | Brake Repairs for NH 44-tonner #0814 | $1,778 |
| Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society | Scranton PA | Updating EL Dining car air brake system | $1,000 |
| Flying Yankee Restoration Group | Lincoln NH | Restoration of Flying Yankee | $1,500 |
| Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Inc. | Chama NM | Renovations to Jordan Ditcher OU | $1,500 |
| Friends of the East Broad Top, Inc. | Robertsdale PA | FEBT Historic photographs digital archive | $600 |
| Friends of the Keystone Arches, Inc. | Huntington MA | Interpretive sign for Keystone Arch Bridges Trail | $400 |
| Lackawanna & Wyoming Vally NRHS Chapter | Scranton PA | Restoration of B & M #3713 | $1,500 |
| Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum | Portland ME | Restoration of Pasenger car #22 | $2,000 |
| New England Electric Railway Historical Society / Seashore Trolley Museum | Kennebunkport ME | Eastern Mass. Street Railway, Semi-Convertible #4387 | $1,500 |
| New England Transportation Institute and Museum/VT Rwy Museum | White River Jct VT | Train Station upgrades | $1,000 |
| New York Central System Historical Society | Various | Digitization of NYC and affiliate RR Drawings | $1,000 |
| Old Colony & Newport Railway | Middletown RI | Replace end beam on parlor car | $1,500 |
| Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum | Fall River MA | Box Car floor repair | $800 |
| Palmer Public Library | Palmer MA | Security for Railroad Research Center | $1,000 |
| Railroad Museum of New England, Inc. | Thomaston CT | Thomaston Restoration shops Š Interior Mechanical Systems | $1,500 |
| Rochester Chapter, NRHS | Rush NY | Painting GE 45-tonner Rochester Gas & Electric | $550 |
| Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad | Phillips ME | Convert flat car into pulp wood rack car | $650 |
| Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum | Shelburne Falls MA | Track and overhed rehabilitation & extension | $2,000 |
| Windsor Locks Preservation Association, Inc. | Windsor Locks CT | Preservation & Restoration of Windsor Locks Station | $1,000 |
| Wiscassset, Waterville and Farmington Railway Museum | Alna ME | Brake equipment for Coach 8 & Flatcar 126 | $1,500 |
| Total | $32,578 |
The Amherst Railway Society is a non-profit, 501(c)3, organization based in Amherst, MA. The primary purpose of the Society is education about Railroads and Railroad History. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in railroads. Monthly meetings, held on the third Tuesday, feature speakers from the railroad industry, historians, authors, photographers and rail enthusiasts. The Society sponsors trips to railroad historical sites and excursions on vintage railroad equipment. The Society also sponsors the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA. Further information is available at
http://www.AmherstRail.orgSudro Brown, President
President@AmherstRail.org
Amherst Railway Society
Announces 2006 Grants
Amherst, MA, June, 2006 –Since 1991 the Amherst Railway has made yearly grants to non-profit organizations and museums. These grants are made possible with the proceeds from the society’s Annual Big Railroad Hobby Show. Over $300,000 has been donated to further railroad related projects throughout the country. At his year’s Annual Meeting on June 20th, 2006, society members approved 25 grants totaling $29,900.
Receiving grants for repair and restoration of buildings were the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Friends the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Friends of the East Broad Top Railroad, the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, the Western Connecticut Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and the Windsor Locks Preservation Association.
Funds for locomotive repair and restoration were awarded to the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum, Seashore Trolley Museum and the Railroad Museum of New England.
Awards for equipment restoration were made to Boothbay Railway Village, Central New York Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, the Chester Foundation, Danbury Railway Museum, DownEast Rail and the Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum.
Boston Street Railway Association, Branford Electric Railway Association, the Connecticut Trolley Museum and the Rockhill Trolley Museum received funding for trolley car restoration projects
Grants were also awarded to Friends of Bedford Depot Park, Connecticut Eastern Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Friends of the Keystone Arches and the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum.
or write to Amherst Railway Society, PO Box 718, Warren, MA 01083-0718. Additional information on the society and its programs can be found at
www.AmherstRail.org.Amherst Railway Society 2005 grants can be found at www.AmherstRail.org/news2005.htm.