FORT WAYNE, Ind. — The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, known for its stewardship of Nickel Plate Road steam engine No. 765 and the Indiana Rail Experience rail tourism program, has named Kelly Lynch as its first executive director — the first paid employee in the organization’s 52-year history.
Lynch has been a member of the society’s board for 20 years. Under his leadership, it developed the Indiana Rail Experience, the program with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad offering a variety of excursion and rail events, and has raised over $2 million for the program since 2022.
“After 52 years as an all-volunteer organization, we have come a long way from restoring and operating a historic steam locomotive that was once displayed in Lawton Park,” Wayne York, a founding member of the society, said in a press release. “With our growing tourist railroad operation and the restoration of the Pleasant Lake depot and several vintage passenger cars, we also have a few projects and surprises in the works to keep preserving and making railroad history in our region. Kelly is a second-generation volunteer and his special combination of skills and expertise make him a natural choice to shepherd these efforts.”
Lynch has experience in both railroading and rail preservation, and has worked in operations and administrative roles for dozens of railroads, non-profit organizations, and institutions dedicated to transportation preservation. He is a consultant for FMW Solutions, the firm specializing in repair and other support for historic rail equipment, and has served as a train advisor for television and film productions.
As a volunteer, he oversaw the 2016 trips with No. 765 from Chicago, the first steam excursions from downtown Chicago in more than 45 years; led the collaboration between the society and Progress Rail for the restoration of former Nickel Plate SD9 No. 358; negotiated the organization’s acquisition of a fleet of former New York Central passenger cars; and oversaw purchase of the Pleasant Lake, Ind., depot, to serve as headquarters for the Indiana Rail.
“It is one of the greatest joys of my life to serve the organization that has shaped so much of it,” Lynch said. “I want to thank the extraordinary community behind the Fort Wayne Railroad for their support as we work to celebrate and save our rich railroad history and we work to provide outstanding experiences while we do it. I want to especially thank the board of directors and the Indiana Northeastern Railroad Co. for their trust in this great new adventure.”
Christmas trains halfway to sellout
The society, which says ridership for the Indiana Rail Experience has increased by more than 114% in three years, also announced that ticket sales for the Indiana Christmas Trains, which will operate on 10 days in December, have already sold more than 50% of their tickets. Ticket information for those trips is available here.
Other upcoming events include the Fall Colors Steam Special on Oct. 19-20, and the diesel-powered Autumn Limited trips Oct. 25-27. More information on those trips and the Indiana Rail Experience is available at the Experience website.
Very nice…but a no brainer. I can’t think of anyone else who would be more appropriate.