The 2025 NRHS Heritage Grants are announced. Click here to view and download the .pdf file.

Click here to view the Heritage Grants page.

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Railway Age Executive Editor

The National Railway Historical Society, Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures have awarded Reading Blue Mountain & Northern (RBMN) their third annual Historic Preservation Award, which recognizes and honors a North American common-carrier railroad for a historically significant preservation project.

“We selected RBMN from among numerous nominations in recognition of its longstanding commitment to preserving and operating steam locomotives and other historic equipment, and—most important—sharing this railroading heritage with the public,“ NRHS Board Director Mike Yuhas said during the May 21 announcement. “In addition, RBMN provides regular passenger excursion service on many of its lines. This program allows the railroad to promote the proud heritage and bright future of the North American railroad industry. NRHS members and Railway Age and RT&S readers are strong advocates for sharing the railroad industry’s important history.”

“Thousands of people from all walks of life enjoy RBMN’s passenger excursions and historic equipment,” said Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. “Few experiences are as thrilling as seeing Reading T-1 2102 in action. I’ve ridden an Iron Horse Ramble, with 2102 hauling a consist of refurbished vintage passenger cars. That a major and highly successful Class II freight railroad can also operate a thriving passenger excursion business with historic equipment is a remarkable achievement. It’s the the best of both worlds.”

“This award has been given to fine organizations in the past, including Union Pacific and Iowa Traction,” RBMN Senior Vice President and General Manager-Passenger Matthew Fisher said during the May 21 award presentation at Railway Interchange in Indianapolis. “Just seeing the amount of restoration projects at railroads and museums around the country is nothing short of amazing. And for all of us at the RBMN to get this recognition is an honor. Without organizations like yours—NRHS, Railway Age and RT&S—railroad preservation and the railroad industry as a whole would not be the same. The RBMN is a privately held railroad company serving over 80 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties. It has expanded its operations over the last 40 years and now transports nearly 34,000 carloads of freight, while Passenger Department welcomes nearly 340,000 riders annually.

“RBMN operates freight and passenger excursions over 400 miles of track, owns nearly 2,000 freight cars, around 60 passenger cars, and employs over 350 people. The railroad also owns several train stations. The Passenger Department continues to grow with both full- and part time employees, some of which have been with the railroad for over 40 years. This includes passenger mechanics, paint and restoration employees, and even steam mechanics.

“The railroad owns three steam engines, Canadian locomotive series D-10, #225, on static display; #425, a 4-6-2 light Pacific, currently undergoing work for its 1472 inspection; and Reading Company T-1 class #2102, which is the reason the railroad received this award after several years of hard work and determination, and the railroad made over $2 million in investment to restore it. The massive 2102 is a 4-8-4 wheel arrangement, and is one of the largest steam locomotives in service. The Reading, Penn.-built locomotive will power all-day excursions several times this year, including this Saturday, May 24, from Reading to Jim Thorpe; the train is sold out with over 800 passengers on it.

“In closing, I want to thank Executive Vice President Tyler Glass; CEO and owner of the RBMN, Andy Muller Jr., and his wife, Carol. Andy, thank you for building a winning team. The railroad is thriving all because of your vision, your investment in both time and money. Your business background, entrepreneurial spirit and a tad bit of rail fan has created great railroad. Supporting you is your daughter, Christina, and son, Aaron, and most of all, your wife, Carol. So thank you. This industry comes down to one thing, and that’s the people, whether it’s giving great customers respect, welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests every year, or treating employees with dignity, RBMN is a great place to interact with and to visit. So if you’re ever in eastern Pennsylvania, come on over and visit us. Thank you so much.”

Yuhas, Railway Age Executive Editor Marybeth Luczak, and RT&S Managing Editor Jennifer McLawhorn presented the award to RBMN Executive Vice President-Strategic Planning Christina Muller-Levan; Senior Vice President and General Manager-Passenger Matthew Fisher; Chairman and CEO Andrew Muller Jr. and his wife, Carol Muller; and Executive Vice President Operations Tyler Glass.

RBMN is a four-time recipient of Railway Age’s Regional Railroad of the Year Award (2002, 2011, 2015, and 2020). For more about the railroad’s historic equipment, click here.

The previous Outstanding Railroad Historic Preservation Award honorees are Union Pacific (2024) and Iowa Traction (2023).

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