Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society in New Haven, Indiana

Written By Kelsey Cecil

New Haven, Indiana · Updated October 19, 2026 · 13 min read

Rail preservation groupTrain ridesRestoration shop by appointment; excursions on scheduled dates through the Indiana Rail Experience

The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is the volunteer nonprofit that pulled Nickel Plate Road Berkshire No. 765 out of a city park in 1974, restored it to steam by 1979, and still runs it and a growing fleet of vintage cars from its shop in New Haven, Indiana.

  • Founded in 1972
  • Home of Nickel Plate No. 765
  • 765 restored by volunteers in 1979
  • Runs the Indiana Rail Experience
  • Shop visits by appointment
  • New York Central 3001 joining

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society at a glance

Hours
Restoration facility by appointment only; Pleasant Lake Station by appointment or during events
Admission
Varies by excursion; see indianarails.org
Train rides
Steam and diesel round-trip excursions through the Indiana Rail Experience on announced dates
Seasonal events
Indiana Rail Experience excursions, Railroad open houses
Best for
Steam fans and families who want a real excursion
Best ages
School age and up for the shop; all ages for excursions

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to New Haven.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

How volunteers brought a Berkshire back from a city park

Nickel Plate Road No. 765 was built in 1944 by the Lima Locomotive Works, one of the railroad's fleet of 112 Berkshire type 2-8-4 engines built for fast freight. As diesels took over, it spent a few years as a stationary boiler in the Nickel Plate shops at New Haven, and in 1963 the railroad retired it and offered it to Fort Wayne as a monument. The city put it on display in Lawton Park, painted with the number 767.

In 1971 a group of rail fans began talking about restoring it, and in 1972 Wayne York, Glenn Brendel, Walter Sassmannshausen and John Eichman incorporated the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. They leased the engine from the city, and on September 6, 1974 they laid temporary track and pulled it out of the park to their site in New Haven. With no real shop and little shelter, unpaid volunteers rebuilt it between 1975 and 1979.

On September 1, 1979 the 765 moved under its own power for the first time since 1963. Its first public excursion followed in 1980, making it the first mainline steam locomotive restored and run by an all-volunteer nonprofit. Since then it has pulled trains across the Midwest and the East, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, received a $750,000 rebuild from 2001 to 2005, and ran in Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program from 2012 to 2015.

Around its 50th anniversary, the society launched the Indiana Rail Experience in Northeast Indiana, which state tourism officials named the Best New Experience. The collection keeps growing: in 2026 it acquired Nickel Plate business car No. 1, finished the second phase of its Pleasant Lake railyard, and arranged to bring New York Central 3001 to Fort Wayne.

The New Haven shop and the trains that leave it

The society's restoration facility sits at 15808 Edgerton Road in New Haven; it was at Ryan and Edgerton Roads that volunteers first rebuilt the 765 in the open air. When the 765 is not on the road, it is maintained here, along with vintage steam and diesel locomotives, passenger cars, cabooses and freight cars. Visits are by appointment, plus open house days the society announces, and volunteers hold regular work sessions through the year.

Among the steam engines is Wabash No. 534, a little yard switcher and one of the oldest surviving steam locomotives in Indiana. The society's fleet also includes Nickel Plate No. 358 and No. 624, and in 2026 it announced New York Central 3001 and a historic Pullman would join the collection. For rides, the Indiana Rail Experience runs round-trip steam and diesel excursions from its Pleasant Lake Station at 1469 West Main Street in Pleasant Lake.

Don’t miss

  1. Nickel Plate Road No. 765A 1944 Lima Berkshire that volunteers restored in 1979 and still operate, one of the last living steam locomotives in North America.
  2. Wabash No. 534The Wabash scrapped every steam engine it owned except two, and this sturdy switcher, which once served Fort Wayne steel mills as Lake Erie & Fort Wayne No. 1, is one of them.
  3. New York Central 3001The society announced in 2026 that this New York Central locomotive would relocate from Elkhart to Fort Wayne, with an open house to welcome it.
  4. Nickel Plate business car No. 1Acquired in August 2026, this 1920s-era business car is the start of a new restoration fundraiser tied to the Van Sweringen brothers' railroad empire.
  5. Pleasant Lake Station and railyardThe home base of the Indiana Rail Experience, where a vintage car built for military medical service arrived in 2026 as the railyard's second phase was completed.

Big steam, real excursions and a shop full of engines

For kids, nothing matches the 765 in steam: crowds of up to 3,000 a day turn out when it runs, and a typical train carries 600 to 1,000 passengers. The easiest way for families to ride is an Indiana Rail Experience excursion, where trips are round trips and dates are posted at indianarails.org once events are announced.

Shop visits suit older kids who like to see how things work, since the New Haven facility is a working restoration space rather than a polished gallery. Book an appointment first, and watch for the special open house days the society holds for new arrivals like New York Central 3001.

Plan your visit: tips for Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society

  • Tickets are not sold by phone; book online when trips are announced.
  • The phone line, 260-493-0765, is answered on weekends only.
  • The society cannot give arrival times for the 765 in any town; follow its event schedules and social feeds instead.
  • Sign up for the email list to hear about new trips before they sell out.
  • Shop visits are by appointment, so arrange yours before driving out.

Hundreds of members, one steam engine, a lot of volunteer hours

The society is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with hundreds of members and a large crew of volunteers from around the country, several of whom have been there since the beginning. You can join as a member, sign up for volunteer work sessions in New Haven, donate or sponsor a restoration project such as Wabash No. 534 or business car No. 1, or buy souvenirs from the online gift store.

Rail museums within a couple of hours of New Haven

The National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, former home of NYC 3001, is about 68 miles away. Across the state lines, the Little River Railroad in Coldwater, Michigan is about 59 miles, and the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum in Ohio about 60 miles. See the full list of Indiana train museums for more.

Every train museum in Indiana

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

This group just brought home a Nickel Plate business car, the kind of private car railroad bosses once lived out of on long trips. I can't help imagining what got packed into those little rooms. In our book, Rally's packing list is short and serious: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball. A corgi knows what matters on a trip. The coloring pages have that suitcase scene too.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society: 20 common questions

What is the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society?

It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1972 that owns, restores and operates historic railroad equipment tied to Northeast Indiana, led by Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765. It runs passenger excursions, charters, exhibitions and education programs, and it created the Indiana Rail Experience. Its shop is in New Haven, Indiana.

Where is the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society located?

The restoration facility is at 15808 Edgerton Road, New Haven, Indiana 46774, just east of Fort Wayne. The Indiana Rail Experience is based at Pleasant Lake Station, 1469 West Main Street, Pleasant Lake, Indiana 46779. Mail goes to Post Office Box 11017, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46855.

Can you visit the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society shop?

Yes, by appointment. As of October 2026, the society lists its New Haven restoration facility as open by appointment only, plus special open house days it announces for events such as welcoming new equipment. Pleasant Lake Station is open by appointment or during excursions and events. Use the contact form on fortwaynerailroad.org to set up a visit.

How do I get Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society tickets?

Tickets for train rides are sold online through the Indiana Rail Experience at indianarails.org once events are announced. The society cannot take ticket orders by phone. For help with an order, reach customer service at ticketagent@fwrhs.org. Signing up for the email list is the best way to hear when new trips go on sale.

What events does the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society hold?

The society runs steam and diesel powered vintage passenger excursions and special railroad events throughout the year, mostly through the Indiana Rail Experience. In 2026 it announced its biggest calendar yet, with new excursions and new passenger cars, plus a railroad open house to welcome New York Central 3001 and a historic Pullman. Dates change, so check indianarails.org.

Does the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society run a Christmas train?

The society's own website does not list a Christmas train as of October 2026, and its 2026 events calendar was marked as coming soon. Holiday trips, if offered, would be posted through the Indiana Rail Experience at indianarails.org. Sign up for the society's email notices or follow its Facebook page for announcements.

What is Nickel Plate Road 765?

No. 765 is a 2-8-4 Berkshire type steam locomotive built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1944 for the Nickel Plate Road's fast freight trains. Retired in 1963 and displayed in Lawton Park, it was restored by the society and first steamed again in 1979. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

What equipment does the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society own?

Besides the 765, the collection includes Wabash steam switcher No. 534, Nickel Plate Road No. 358 and No. 624, vintage diesels, passenger cars, cabooses and freight cars. In 2026 it added Nickel Plate business car No. 1, a car built for military medical service, and plans to bring in New York Central 3001 and a historic Pullman.

Is there a Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society roster online?

The society's website has pages for each of its main pieces under its About menu: Nickel Plate No. 765, Nickel Plate No. 358, New York Central 3001, Wabash No. 534, Nickel Plate Road No. 624, the Great Steel Fleet and its rolling stock. Those pages are the best place to see the current roster and restoration status.

What passenger cars does the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society have?

The society runs vintage passenger cars on its excursions and lists them under its Great Steel Fleet and Rolling Stock pages. Recent additions include a 1920s-era Nickel Plate business car No. 1 acquired in 2026 and a vintage car built for military medical service that arrived at the Pleasant Lake railyard in July 2026.

What is New York Central 3001 and why is it coming to Fort Wayne?

New York Central 3001 is a historic locomotive that was displayed by the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart. In 2026 a farewell ceremony was planned there for September 4 and 5 before its relocation to Fort Wayne, and the society planned a special open house to welcome the 3001 and a historic Pullman.

What is Wabash No. 534?

Wabash No. 534 is a small steam switch engine and one of only two Wabash steam locomotives that escaped scrapping. It later served Fort Wayne steel mills as Lake Erie & Fort Wayne No. 1, was displayed in Swinney Park, and was donated to the society in 1984. A full operating restoration is estimated at $1.6 million.

When was the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society founded?

The society was incorporated in 1972 by Wayne York, Glenn Brendel, Walter Sassmannshausen and John Eichman, after rail fans began talking about restoring the 765 at a 1971 convention. In 1974 it moved the 765 from Lawton Park to New Haven, and volunteers rebuilt it from 1975 to 1979.

What is the Indiana Rail Experience?

The Indiana Rail Experience is the passenger excursion program the society started in Northeast Indiana around its 50th anniversary. It is described as the only tourist railroad in North America to connect three states, it was named Indiana's Best New Experience by state tourism officials, and it has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors. Trips are booked at indianarails.org.

Is the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society good for kids?

Yes, especially when the 765 is steaming. Trains often carry 600 to 1,000 passengers and draw big crowds of families. The Indiana Rail Experience excursions are the simplest way to ride together. Shop visits by appointment suit older kids who enjoy seeing a working restoration space up close.

What do reviews say about the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society?

The society has a large following, with roughly 80,000 people following its Facebook page. Press coverage has called the 765 the engine that still can and 400 tons of Americana, and the towns it visits often see large crowds of locals and visitors. Tickets for many past trips sold out within a day.

Where can I see photos and videos of the 765?

The society posts photos and news on Facebook, Instagram and X, and its YouTube channel has hours of new and historic film of the 765 and the rest of the fleet. The website also has a video section. For live updates on where the 765 is running, the society points people to @NickelPlate765 on X.

How can I volunteer or become a member of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society?

Membership and volunteer sign-ups are on fortwaynerailroad.org, and the society holds regular volunteer work sessions at its New Haven shop through the year. Membership questions go to members@fwrhs.org. Donations and project sponsorships, such as the business car No. 1 restoration, can be made through the Support section of the site.

How do I contact the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society?

Call 260-493-0765, which is answered on weekends only, or email contact@fwrhs.org for general questions. The website's contact page routes membership, ticketing, volunteering and donation questions to the right person. The society cannot give estimated arrival times for the 765 at any town, so check posted event schedules instead.

What railroad museums are near the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society?

The Little River Railroad in Coldwater, Michigan is about 59 miles away, the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum in Grand Rapids, Ohio about 60 miles, and the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart about 68 miles. The Bradford Ohio Railroad Museum is about 71 miles southeast.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Historic Hattiesburg Train Depot, Mississippi
Next

Rhode Island Railroad Museum in West Kingston, Rhode Island