The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust, established by John Emery, aims to support and preserve the classic passenger train experience in America, particularly from the 1920s through the 1950s. As a 501(c)(3) foundation, its mission encompasses re-creating and maintaining the rail passenger travel experience, restoring rolling stock and artifacts from the Golden Age of U.S. rail service, and ensuring public access to historically significant railway experiences.
The John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust provides grants focused on the preservation and recreation of the historic passenger rail experience in the United States, roughly covering the period from 1920 to 1960. It supports projects that restore and maintain rail equipment and facilities to working order, particularly those that allow the public to experience historic rail travel. The Trust places a strong emphasis on operational projects that offer rides on historic equipment or use modern vehicles to revive passenger services on historic rail lines. Additionally, it supports the rebuilding of essential infrastructure for passenger rail operations. Grant amounts vary annually based on investment returns, with individual requests capped at $50,000.