Mission
The National Railroad Hall of Fame (“NRRHoF”) inspires people to appreciate, enjoy, and understand how railroaders opened new opportunities, developed innovative technologies, created personal freedom, changed the face of America, and continue to point the way to our future.

Eligibility
In furtherance of its mission, the Board of Directors of the NRRHoF requests nominations of living or deceased individuals in the history and contemporary operations of railroads in the United States of America for consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame in Galesburg, Illinois.  Nominations for groups of individuals in recognition of their collective effort or contribution, as well as for entire communities historically tied to railroading, will also be considered.  Any individual or organization may submit nominations. 

Nomination Process
Nomination forms are available on the NRRHoF website or by contacting NRRHoF headquarters:  200 East Main Street, Galesburg, Illinois.  Only nominations submitted on the official nomination form will be accepted for review.  Completed nomination forms must be submitted directly to the NRRHoF using the address provided on the form.  Nominations received on or before November 1, 2008, will be considered for induction in 2008.  Nominations received after November 1, 2008, will be considered the following year.

Following the directions and format of the official form, nominations should include:

• Name and contact information for the person or organization making the nomination,
• a two page biographical sketch of the nominee outlining the nominee’s career history;
• an outline of the particular achievement(s) upon which the nomination rests and why such achievement(s) justify induction into the NRRHF;
• letters of recommendation (optional),
• a photograph or electronic image suitable for reproduction (if available); and
• contact details for the nominee, if living, or if deceased, of a surviving family member or other relevant individual or organization, if available.

Selection Process
The NRRHoF Board of Directors appoints a five-member Nominations and Inductions Committee (“Committee”)  drawn from academia, government, industry and other relevant sectors.  This diverse panel possesses a broad range of knowledge of the United States rail industry and the men and women who have built and shaped it. 

Nominations are considered by chronological period.

• Birth and Development Era:  1800 to 1865,
• Golden Era:  1866 to 1945,
• Modern Era, 1946 to present day.

The Committee reviews nominations, researches the accomplishments of the nominee, and fact checks information provided in the nomination.  Based on this review, the Committee recommends nominees for induction in the NRRHoF.  Recommendations are considered and approved by the NRRHoF Board of Directors, and the decision of the Board is final.   Persons or groups nominated to the Board but not selected for induction may be nominated in subsequent years.

Criteria for Induction
Inductees will have made a significant contribution to some aspect of railroading history.  He or she might be an inventor, a financier, a manager, or a member of a community or industry linked to railroading.  Inductees might also have made an indirect contribution to railroading through involvement in finance, journalism, research, mining history, academic work, government, inventions, or by entrepreneurial activity.  Inductees may be people of ordinary circumstances who have made extraordinary contributions to the railroading industry.

Nomination Forms Click Here