Black River & Western Railroad


Get Involved!

All passenger trains and special events on the Black River & Western Railroad are operated by the volunteer staff of the Black River Railroad Historical Trust, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. You can support our efforts by joining the organization and contributing your time, or you may support us through a one-time or recurring donation. Use the button below to donate to our general fund, or use the links on the Projects page to donate to a specific project.

Join As An Active Volunteer Support Us Through Your Donation

If you join us as an active volunteer expect to be contacted by a BRRHT representative within about 7-10 days. Our representative will talk to you about what you would like to get involved in and direct you in the next steps in getting started at the railroad!

If you support us with your donation, you should recieve an email confirmation from the system within minutes of making your donation. This confirmation serves as proof of your donation, which may be tax deductible. Consult with your accountant or tax professional for details.

What Our Volunteers Do


Did you know that you can join us as a new volunteer with no previous experience and get started in train service almost immediately? Many activities are available for our members, and you can pick and choose which ones are right for you! Here is just a partial list of what our members do...

  • Operating Department

    Our Operating Department handles train operations. Volunteers may begin here with no previous experience and take advanage of our free railroad training and qualification program to move up through the ranks. Train crew positions include:

    • Car Host (this is where most new volunteers begin)
    • Trainman
    • Brakeman
    • Conductor
    • Fireman
    • Engineer
  • Mechanical Department

    Our Mechanical Department maintains our historic railroad equipment. We're currently working on a few major restoration projects aimed at improving our passenger equipment and bringing additional coaches into service. Join now so you can contribute to these exciting projects!

  • Event Planning & Support

    Operating special events is no small task, and we always need volunteers that are up to the challenge. Lend a hand in planning/operating our Photo Freights, North Pole Express, Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, and more!

  • Grounds Maintanence

    We can always use a hand keeping things tidy around our train stations.