The Conrail Historical Society will continue celebrating Conrail’s 50th. birthday by holding CRHS’ 4th-Quarter Meeting on October 10, 2026 at the National New York Central Railroad Museum in Elkhart, IN. The program will run from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with a potential additional activity after dinner. All are welcome.
The National New York Central Railroad Museum is located at 721 S. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46516.
The meeting’s program features the presentation “A Day at Elkhart During Conrail,” by author Gregg Grabijas; a presentation about the National New York Central Railroad Museum and tour of the museum grounds by Brent Holaway (former museum director) and Abby Gratzol (current museum curator); and the presentation “History of Elkhart-area Railroading, 1851 – 1968,” by local railroad historians Steve Deinhart and Steve Barton. A brief CRHS business meeting will follow lunch.
Conrail artifacts from The CRHS Archives will be displayed. The CRHS Shoppe will be selling hats, T-shirts, stickers and more.
Access to The CRHS Meeting requires admission to the National New York Central Railroad Museum. Admission to the National New York Central Railroad Museum is as follows:
For Members of The Conrail Historical Society - Free, for this event, with pre-registration at The CRHS Shoppe (https://conrailshoppe.com/).
All Others - Regular museum admission prices apply: Adults $6. Seniors $5, Children 4 – 12 years old $5 and Children 3 years & under Free.
Lunch, of pizza and soda or water, will be provided for a fee of $10.00 per person, payable at the CRHS meeting room. It is hoped that the fee will cover the cost of providing lunch. Any surplus revenue will be shared between The CRHS and the Museum.
Attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult responsible for the attendee. That adult must be on site at all times while the minor is attending the event.
Questions? Contact The Conrail Historical Society at: Admin@TheCRHS.org
Detailed Program
9:30 AM Doors open
Attendees sign-in.
CRHS Shoppe open for business, then close at beginning of program.
Artifacts from CRHS Archives on display.
10:00 AM Welcome! (15”)
10:15 AM National New York Central Railroad Museum (1’00”) Brent Holaway and Abby Gratzol from NYC Museum provide presentation and tour of grounds with an insider’s view.
11:15 AM A Day at Elkhart During Conrail (1’30”) Presentation by author Gregg Grabijas.
12:45 PM Lunch (45”)
CRHS Shoppe open for business, then close after Lunch.
Artifacts from CRHS Archives on display.
1:30 PM CRHS Business Meeting (30”) CRHS Vice President Jim Stanton presides.
2:00 PM History of Elkhart Area Railroading, 1851 - 1968 (1’30”) Steve Deinhart and Steve Barton, local railroad historians.
3:30 PM Wrap-up of today’s events (30”)
4:00 PM Rail Photography and Dinner on your own in the Elkhart area.
To Be Determined Potential additional activity.