About Midwest Railway Preservation Society (MRPS)
Our Team
Our amazing team of regular and part time volunteers are committed to promoting northeast Ohio’s rich railroad history through the many projects and activities of the Midwest Railway Preservation Society. Our member volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, occupations and experiences, notably, railroad operating crew, electricians, machinists, welders, carpenters, pattern makers, mechanics and mechanical engineers. They all share their passion through MRPS and go out of their way to share their knowledge by working together and teaching each other as well as our younger members new skills that may also help them in their everyday lives.
Our History
Railroads played an important role in the growth and development of industry in Northeast Ohio. The Midwest Railway Historical Foundation was incorporated on December 8th, 1955, as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation. It operated under that name until the membership voted to change the name to the Midwest Railway Preservation Society to better reflect the organization’s activities and mission.
Midwest Railway Preservation Society (MRPS) is dedicated to the collection, restoration and preservation of vintage railroad equipment, facilities and memorabilia for public display in a working, museum-like setting, thus giving present and future generations of visitors access to equipment and facilities that are now a part of railroad history.
MRPS also owns the rights to the previously abandoned corporate name of The Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railroad, which was an early and historically significant railroad in the Cleveland area and the original owner of the Historic B&O Roundhouse and rail yard.
Our Mission
The mission of the Midwest Railway Preservation Society is to acquire, restore, preserve and operate vintage railroad equipment, buildings, structures and artifacts for the purpose of educating the general public regarding the history of the American railroad industry and its’ role in our nation’s progress; to engage in activities for educational, charitable, scientific and literary purposes; to hold, acquire, purchase, lease, possess, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of such real or personal property necessary or requisite to carrying out the purposes of the Society and all things incident thereto; to perform any and all things necessary or incidental to the accomplishment of the aforementioned purposes of the Corporation and for any other lawful purpose.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Midwest Railway Preservation Society Inc. does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or military status, in any of its’ activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors and vendors.
Coming Events
The Historic B&O Roundhouse and rail yard is once again open for full scale tours. Check out the events page for all upcoming open houses and events. You can also visit the Midwest Railway Facebook page and the Grand Trunk Western 4070 Facebook page for updates.
Special Bookings
Midwest Railway offers to open its’ facility to groups for individual events tailored to their specific requests. In the past we have hosted Paranormal Nights for ghost hunters and have opened our gates for photography and sketch groups. We have also hosted birthday parties and boy scouts in their endeavor to earn a railroading badge along with a number of movie crews that have been on site to shoot local and national movies and videos. The NFL recently visited with a video film crew to shoot footage that was intended for inclusion during their broadcast of the 2021 NFL draft. Call our office at 216-781-3629 to find out what we can do for you.
Check us out on the Travel Channel!
October 29th, 2020 was the premier airing of the episode featuring Midwest and the Historic B&O Roundhouse in the Holzer Files. A ghost story you will not want to miss!
Current Officers and Trustees
Steve Emling, President
Steve Korpos, Jr., Executive Director
Petar Stojsavljevic, Board Chairperson
Allan Thompson, Treasurer
Ken Yandek, Secretary
Zach Guzan
Mitch Karabinus
Ken McCown
Greg Antz