The Midwest Railway Preservation Society, located in Cleveland, is dedicated to preserving America’s railroad history. Founded in the 1940s, the society has been quietly shaping and preserving railroad history for generations.

Restoring Historic Trains

One of the society’s most notable projects is the restoration of the Grand Trunk Western 4070, a steam locomotive built in 1918. The locomotive suffered a deep crack in its cast steel frame after falling into a turntable pit in 1955. The society recently completed a critical and expensive repair, welding the frame together at a cost of $58,000.

The society’s members, many of whom are volunteers, have a deep understanding of mechanical knowledge and are dedicated to passing it down to future generations. The society’s executive director, Steve Korpos, said, ‘We’ll teach you how to weld, paint, body work, machine, learn how to make parts.’ The society has also brought in young people and taught them valuable skills, with some even going on to work for the railroad.

A Labor of Love

The society’s work is a labor of love, with members putting in countless hours to restore historic trains. The society has about 120 members, each paying $45 per year, but it still struggles to fund its projects. Despite the challenges, the society remains committed to its mission of preserving America’s railroad history.

The society’s roundhouse, located in a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad building, is a treasure trove of historic trains and equipment. The society stores and restores trains for private collectors and also offers restoration services to other organizations. The society’s board president, Steve Emling, said, ‘We’re not just a museum, we’re a working railroad preservation society.’ The society’s dedication to preserving America’s railroad history is evident in its work, and its members are passionate about sharing that history with the community.

Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.