Our Journey So Far

Since our public rollout in January 2024, NGR has been dedicated to building a nationwide network of partner organizations, mentors, and aspiring railroaders. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, high-tech, and rewarding environment where the "Golden Age of Rail" isn't just a piece of history—it’s a viable career path for the future.

    • September 13: NGR was officially incorporated as a Pennsylvania non-profit organization.

    • October 17: Held our inaugural Board of Directors meeting.

    • End of Year: Successfully recognized as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit, establishing our commitment to transparency and public service.

    • The Soft Rollout: We introduced NGR to the industry at the Amherst Railroad Hobby Show in Springfield, MA. Partner organizations helped spread the word, distributing flyers and engaging with the rail community.

    • Research & Surveying: We spent the year surveying organizations and individuals to identify where the industry is thriving and where it is suffering.

    • Foundational Conversations: Following our surveys, NGR leadership hosted hour-long deep dives with industry respondents. these conversations were vital in ensuring our programming meets the actual needs of the rail community and establishing how NGR integrates with existing rail organizations.

    • Educational Soft Launch: We returned to the Amherst Railroad Hobby Show to reconnect with partners and announce the beginning of our educational programming.

    • Mentorship Deep Dives: In February and March, we hosted our first virtual webinars open to the public. Industry experts Ed Lecuyer and Howard Pincus shared insights on the evolution of rail preservation and how new volunteers can get involved.

    • Workflow Development: These sessions allowed us to refine our mentor vetting process and observe how the community responds to mentorship-based learning.

The Path Forward

Planned Progress for 2025 & Beyond

To achieve our long-term goals, we have established dedicated committees to oversee the development, implementation, and support of our core programs.

Current Committee Focus Areas:

  • Education: Producing educational programming, blog posts, virtual coffee hours, and webinars.

  • Certified Mentorship: Establishing and running the certified mentorship program.

  • Marketing: Promoting NGR on social media, the website, and the newsletter, as well as any print marketing we need.

Each committee is working on a specific six-month roadmap to ensure that NGR continues to provide high-value opportunities for our members and partners. Interested in helping out? Sign up for a committee below.

Committee Sign-Up