named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Historical Publications
Disseminates railroad history through articles, photo documentation, and research-based narratives on the O&W and related lines
Model Railroad Construction
Produces detailed HO and O scale models of historic depots, stations, and railroad structures based on archival plans and photographs
Resin Kit Production
Collaborates with model makers to produce limited-run resin kits of O&W rolling stock and structures for model railroaders
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Railroad and Canal Heritage Preservation 3 activities
- Creation of detailed model railroad exhibitsBuilds and displays detailed model railroad structures and dioramas in HO and O scales, including depots, waterfront scenes, ferry boats, and farm machinery dealers, using scratch-building and commercial kits for educational and preservation purposes.
- Operating a visitor center and museum siteOperates a visitor center open since 2023 and co-founded the Roscoe O&W Railway Museum to provide public access to Ontario & Western Railway history.
- Restoration of historic railway equipmentRestores historic railway equipment, including the ongoing volunteer-led restoration of NYO&W 44-tonner locomotive #105 at Steamtown National Historic Site, involving structural repairs, parts recovery, and secure storage, supported by member donations and NPS collaboration.
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Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Hosting educational meetings and presentationsHosts monthly membership meetings and special presentations featuring historians and thematic focuses such as Sullivan County's railroad history (1890–1915), ongoing as of 2026.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Leadership and organizational governanceProvides governance and strategic oversight through leadership roles, including editorial and organizational management, to guide the society’s mission and operations.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Providing historical and technical consultation for preservation projectsProvides historical and technical consultation for restoration projects, including structural stabilization, clock face reproduction, and signal reinstallation at the Middletown station, supported by archival photographs and expert guidance.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Publication of historical newsletters and journalsProduces and distributes regular publications including The Ontario Express (with 486 subscribers), the annual OBSERVER, the O&WRHS Calendar, and a newsletter available in both print and electronic formats to members and the public.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Conducting and publishing original historical researchConducts and publishes ongoing research series on the Ontario & Western Railway, including "From The Archives," "Owen’s Footprints," studies on NYO&W terminology and audio preservation ("Lost O&W Tapes"), and historical articles based on archival theses and prior writings.
- Sale and distribution of historical materials and publicationsOffers for sale a variety of publications, original drawings, documents, photographs, and historical artifacts related to the Ontario & Western Railway, maintaining an updated sales list and facilitating sales through connections with private collectors and modelers.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$46K
Contributions & grants$10K21%
Program service revenue$10K21%
Investment income$8K17%
Other revenue$630
expenses
Total expenses$59K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$650
balance sheet
Total assets$196K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$196K
3 years on record · 2023–2025 · YoY revenue -31.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 11
- Alan Held — Vice President, Membership Director
- Carl Ohlson — Publications Chairman, Trustee
- Douglas Ellison — Trustee
- Jeffrey P Otto — Archives Chairman, Trustee
- Joseph Senese — President, Trustee
- Malcolm H Houck — Trustee
- Mark A Kennaugh — Treasurer, Trustee
- Norman Barrett — 105 Restoration Project Chairman, Trustee
- Robert Earle — Trustee
- Ronald Vassallo — Newsletter/Website Chairman, Trustee
- Walter J Kierzkowski — Trustee
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Al Seebach Partner — Produces laser-cut kits for O&W-related structures such as Tappan Station, which Rich Cobb assembles and displays.
- Alex Prizgintas Partner — Collaborated on historical documentation and articles about society members.
- Blake Tatar Partner — Experienced model train builder offering restoration, modification, and scratchbuilding services for HO and N scale models.
- City of Middletown Government — Partner in the restoration of the Middletown station, providing funding and leading construction efforts with consultation from the Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society.
- Dave Kings Partner — Private collector offering Ontario & Western Railway historical artifacts for sale through the organization's platform.
- East Penn Railroad, LLC Partner — Assisted in salvaging critical components from M&NJ #1 locomotive for use in O&W #105 restoration.
- Find A Grave Partner — Source for memorial information and biographical links for deceased members.
- Hans Segboer Partner — Local historian who presented at the September 2024 O&WRHS meeting.
- Jeff Otto Partner — Contact for obtaining printed copies of drawings, documents, and photos.
- Joe Bux Partner — Provides research, photos, and design input for HO scale dioramas including the NYC waterfront and The Flushing ferry model.
- John Canfield Partner — Collaborates on resin kit production for O&W rolling stock and structures, with Rich Cobb building models from Canfield's kits.
- John Conway Partner — Historian and presenter at the June 2025 meeting on Sullivan County's history.
- John Forni Partner — Model railroader offering HO scale model stations, creameries, and icehouses for sale through the organization's platform.
- Keiser Transport & Hauling Partner — Provided discounted transportation services to deliver a 20-foot storage container for O&W #105 parts to Steamtown.
- Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area Funder — Provided a grant in partnership with the National Park Service to support Project 105.
- Mal Houck Partner — Provides photos and plans for model construction, including casting custom roof braces for the Roscoe Station model.
- Mike Confalone Partner — Owns the model railroad layout where the Lamoille Railroad covered bridge model is installed and photographed.
- National Railway Historical Society, Inc. Funder — Provided a grant to support the restoration of locomotive #105.
- Old Mountaineer Newsletter Partner — Source of prior articles repurposed for the O&W Ramblings series.
- PayPal Giving Fund Partner — Partner used for processing online membership payments and donations.
- Rapido Trains, Inc. Partner — Collaborates with the Ontario & Western Railway Historical Society by producing model locomotives and donating 5% of sales proceeds to support the restoration of NYO&W #105.
- Ray Kelly Partner — Sales Director; contact for questions about ordering.
- Smirail Partner — Houston-based salvage firm that helped recover and donate key engine parts from M&NJ #1 to O&W #105 project.
- State of New York Government — Chartered by the Board of Regents, State of New York, under the State Education Department.
- Steamtown National Historic Site Government — Hosts restoration work and storage container for O&W #105; provides staff and equipment support.
- The Ontario Express Network — Produces and distributes the publication The Ontario Express for members and subscribers
- Walter Kierzkowski Partner — Contact for information about upcoming appearances of the organization's sales table.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Archival-Informed Historical Preservationmethodology: archival_informed_restorationBy using archival materials such as original station drawings and historical photographs to guide restoration and educational programming, the organization ensures historically accurate representation and long-term preservation of the Ontario & Western Railway's legacy, because fidelity to original sources strengthens authenticity and public understanding.
- Member-Driven Knowledge and Legacy Transmissionmethodology: member_driven_knowledge_sharingBy engaging members as contributors and stewards of knowledge through articles, presentations, and recognition of lifelong service, the organization sustains institutional memory and deepens community investment, because member participation fosters ownership, continuity, and intergenerational transfer of specialized historical knowledge.
- Model Railroading as Immersive Historical Educationmethodology: immersive_historical_representationBy creating and using detailed model railroads and dioramas—such as the HO scale Middletown Depot and restored locomotives—the organization translates archival history into tangible, experiential learning, because physical models make abstract historical narratives accessible, engaging, and memorable for enthusiasts and the public.