Pacific Railroad Society Inc.

Overview

The Pacific Railroad Society Inc. is a nonprofit organization and one of the oldest railroad enthusiast groups in the United States. Formed in 1936 by six railfans in the Los Angeles area, the organization was initially known as the "Railroad Boosters." It adopted the name Pacific Railroad Society in 1949 and formally became a nonprofit in 1957. By 1980, it transformed into a charitable public-benefit organization to support fundraising efforts and accept tax-deductible donations[1].

Activities and Projects

• Rail Excursions: A significant part of PRS activities since its inception, these excursions allow members to visit historic and legendary railway sites, promoting an appreciation for railroad history[1].
• Preservation and Museum: In the 1990s, PRS leased the historic Santa Fe Railroad Depot in San Dimas, California, to preserve its Art Deco architecture and convert it into a museum. The depot, originally built in 1934 following a fire that destroyed its predecessor, was an active station until 1961. The museum features authentic elements such as an old-fashioned waiting room and signal equipment, offering insight into railroad history through knowledgeable docents[2].
• Historic Train Cars: PRS is also involved in maintaining and upgrading a fleet of historic mainline passenger railroad cars. These cars are occasionally used for special rail excursions and events[3].

Operations and Funding

All activities of the Pacific Railroad Society are conducted on a volunteer basis, with no paid staff or salaries. The organization generates funds through membership dues, donations, rail excursions, and sales from its gift shop[1]. The society's financial structure includes varying revenues and expenses over the years, as documented in nonprofit reports[5].

Museum and Library

The PRS Museum is open on the first and third Saturday of each month and features a comprehensive library with resources for researchers. The library includes one of the country's finest collections of railroad photographs, maps, and ephemera[2][4].

[1] https://www.pacificrailroadsociety.org/about [2] https://www.pacificrailroadsociety.org/museum [3] https://www.guidestar.org/profile/95-6077591 [4] https://chambermaster.sandimaschamber.org/list/member/pacific-railroad-society-inc-san-dimas-depot-276 [5] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/956077591