12/31/2025
As 2025 comes to a close, we are reflecting on an extraordinary year for the United Railroad Historical Society of NJ. It was a year defined by preservation milestones, meaningful partnerships, unavoidable setbacks, and new opportunities. Here are some highlights from an unforgettable year:
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
Our annual Railroad Museum [for a day] welcomed more attendees than ever before since our facility first opened to the public. In partnership with NJ TRANSIT, the special “Boonton Scoot” service and the display of the Conrail heritage locomotive helped draw our largest crowd yet. Conversely, URHS equipment displayed at NJT’s Meet Our Rail Fleet event brought hundreds more visitors closer to railroad history. Combined with our participation in Morris County’s Pathways of History, we can proudly say that 2025 marked the largest annual public outreach in URHS history.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
When unavoidable circumstances paused our Hudson River Rail Excursions, an unexpected opportunity emerged. We were proud to play a role in the launch of FMW Solutions’ Finger Lakes Rail Experience. By providing historic passenger cars, technical expertise, and operational support, URHS helped bring authentic heritage rail excursions to a new audience. In the process, we were able to return multiple URHS cars to active service. In just this first season alone, URHS’s fleet carried more than 10,000 passengers!
𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴
This year marked one of the most significant moments in our organization’s history: the return of New Jersey’s Merci Train boxcar. More than a rail artifact, the Merci Train is a powerful symbol of post-war gratitude and international friendship. We are deeply honored for that National WWI Museum and Memorial to have entrusted us with the car’s care, so it can once again be shared with the people of New Jersey.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀
Throughout the year, our volunteer crews logged countless hours restoring and maintaining historic equipment. Volunteers returned our 1947 Railway Express Agency truck to the road following significant repairs. Our shop hummed all summer with progress on the Tri-State Railway Historical Society’s Hoboken Shore No. 700, now nearing completion of its cosmetic restoration. Finally, just before winter set in, volunteers successfully returned Jersey Central 1523 to active service. Every project represents the dedication, craftsmanship, and passion of our team of volunteers.
None of this would be possible without you. Every volunteer hour, donation, partnership, and shared post helps keep New Jersey’s railroad history alive. Like the railroads themselves, we keep history in motion thanks to a great many caring people. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to build on this momentum—forever building on our past success, and creating new opportunities for education, tourism, and public engagement.
Please consider an end-of-year donation to keep the wheels turning! You can donate easily online at URHS.org/donate, or by mail to 104 Morris Ave. Boonton, NJ 07005
![📢**Railroad Museum [for a day]** returns on Sunday, September 27, 2026! Come get a rare look at our collection of cars a...](https://img5.gluseum.com/599/410/1661322205994101.jpg)
