Mission
The National Railroad Hall of Fame honors the men and women of American railroading – visionaries, leaders, trendsetters, and ordinary people who made extraordinary contributions. In honoring these leaders, we seek to educate and inspire the public on the role railroads play in building the nation and shaping our future.
Eligibility Criteria
In furtherance of its mission, the Board of Directors of the NRRHF 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. Nominees must have been deceased and/or retired from any compensated industry position for a minimum of five years, with no stated intention to return to active employment within the industry.
Inductees will have made a significant contribution to some aspect of railroading history. He or she might be an inventor, a financier, a manager, an employee, or a member of a community, an organization, or any institution linked to railroading. Inductees might have made an indirect contribution to railroading through finance, journalism, art, photography, research, mining history, academics, government, inventions, or entrepreneurial activity.
Nominations for groups of individuals in recognition of their collective effort or contribution as well as for entire communities historically tied to railroads, will be considered.
Nomination Process
Any individual or organization may submit nominations. Nomination forms are available at or by contacting NRRHoF headquarters:
The National Railroad Hall of Fame
Attention: Julie King, Executive Director
311 East Main Street, Suite 513
Galesburg, Illinois 61401
309–345–4634
Nominations received on or before October 1, will be considered in the current year. Nominations received after October 1, 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.
Nominations are considered by chronological period.
· Birth and Development Era: 1800 to 1865,
· Golden Era: 1866 to 1945,
· Modern Era, 1946 to present day.
Selection Process
Nominations are reviewed by the NRRHF’s Rail Industry Advisory Group (RIAG). Members of the RIAG represent Class I and regional railroads, academia, rail services, research, and other relevant sectors. They possess a broad range of knowledge of the United States rail industry and the men and women who have built and shaped it. Recommendations of the RIAG are forwarded to the NRHF Board of Directors for final approval.