By EMILY REYNOLDS
Guest Columnist
As we move through our busiest season, I want to give you a real, honest look at Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, our struggles, our successes, and our vision for the future.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2017 and beginning operations in 2018. We were still very young when COVID hit, and survival was not guaranteed. Thanks to the hard work of a dedicated board and staff, we pulled through.
Every year since has been a fight to keep history alive and on the rails. This past year alone, we invested nearly $400,000 into track repairs, which made up 25 percent of our entire budget. That amount is significant, but still only a fraction of what is needed to keep the railroad safe and running.
Beyond the tracks, we have worked hard to maintain our locomotives and improve passenger cars, including installing new air conditioning to make our riders’ experiences more enjoyable.
We have also worked to open our doors wider to the community. In 2025, we rolled out our strategic plan, centered on building relationships, practicing transparency, and engaging the public. Just this past weekend, we hosted our first-ever Train Safety Community Day, giving families the chance to see what we do firsthand. We have also continued to make sure there is a price point for every family, from a $5 caboose ride to a $100 dinner experience, so everyone has the opportunity to make memories on the rails.
We do this because this railroad is more than steel and wood. It is a living piece of history, a place where families connect, and a reminder of the golden age of railroading that helped shape our communities.
Here is the truth: our future depends on you.
Ticket sales and donations during the fall and holiday season determine whether we can keep operating next year. Without your support, the train and the history it carries cannot continue to run.
I am asking you today to:
- Purchase a ticket and come ride with us.
- Make a donation to help preserve this important piece of local history.
Together, we can make sure our organization stays on the tracks for generations to come.
Emily Reynolds is the Executive Director of the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad.