Mass Bay RRE supports railroad preservation projects through two grant programs: The H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award and the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund Grants.
THE H. ALBERT WEBB MEMORIAL RAILROAD PRESERVATION AWARD
The purpose of the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award is to assist in the preservation of New England railroad history. Nonprofit, tax-exempt [Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3)] organizations that preserve historically significant railroad equipment, structures or information from New England railroads are eligible to apply, whether or not they are based in New England.
Leigh Webb, the son of the late H. Albert Webb and donor of the Award, has committed to an annual award grant of $10,000. The Award grant may fund either an entire preservation project or the completion of a specific, measurable portion of a larger preservation project.
Mr. Webb has designated the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc. (Mass Bay RRE) as the administrator of the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award. Each year the Mass Bay RRE Board of Directors appoints an Award Committee to conduct the selection process and make recommendations to Mr. Webb, who makes the final Award selection. Among other considerations, projects will be evaluated on the basis of their historical significance and the ability of the sponsor to fund and complete the entire preservation project, not just that portion to be funded by the Award grant.
The Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust of Ellsworth, Maine, received the 2024 H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award to restore the exterior of the Maine Central Railroad Russell snowplow #82 that was donated to the Trust by CSX. By fall of 2024 the Trust has completed most of the exterior restoration, including replacing broken windows, doors and applying new exterior paint and lettering. The H. Albert Webb Award provided a significant portion of the funds needed to complete this restoration work.
Learn more about the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award
Read Leigh Webb's moving tribute to his father and the significance of railroad preservation: Dad, Me and the RRE
THE MASS BAY RRE RAILROAD PRESERVATION FUND
Mass Bay RRE established the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund in 2016 to further support worthy projects to preserve historically significant railroad equipment, structures, information or artifacts in New England. Grants, generally not exceeding $5,000, are awarded annually, funded by the Club's available funds, donations to the fund from members, and a grant from the Samual L Freeman Charitable Trust.
Nonprofit, tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] organizations are eligible to apply for a Mass Bay RRE Preservation Grant. Projects will be evaluated on the basis of their historical significance and the ability of the sponsor to fund and complete the entire preservation project, not just that portion to be funded by the Mass Bay RRE grant.
Since its inception in 2016, the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund Grants has made grants totaling $220,000 to help preserve New England railroad equipment, structures and artifacts. For details and a complete list of Grant recipients, see the Grants page using the link below:
Learn more about the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund
Donate to the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund
2025 AWARD/GRANT APPLICATIONS & INSTRUCTIONS
The application period for the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award and the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Grants is now open. A single, unified application form is used for both the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award and the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Fund Grants. Only one Award or Grant will be made to any given project.
The selected Award/Grant recipients will be required to sign a "project sponsorship agreement" with Mass Bay RRE setting forth the terms and conditions for receiving and utilizing the Award or Grant, including a project work schedule. The recipients will be required to provide Mass Bay RRE with an annual Progress Report, including an accounting of the funds received and used. On completion of the project, the recipients will be required to submit a Final Report, including a detailed description of the finished work, with photographic documentation as appropriate, and a final accounting of funds received and disbursed. The recipients will allow Mass Bay RRE representatives to make on-site inspections of the project while in progress, and upon completion. The recipients will also acknowledge the H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award or the Mass Bay RRE Railroad Preservation Grant as a source of funds supporting its project.
All completed applications, with supporting documentation (optional), must be received not later than 11:30 PM on Monday, December 2, 2024. A sponsoring organization may submit only one project application each year. By submitting an application, the sponsoring institution certifies that it is a qualified [501(c)(3)] organization in good standing. Unless previously submitted with a prior Award application, all applicants must provide one copy of the organization's IRS [501(c)(3)] determination letter with their application.
Organizations are strongly encouraged to submit their application on line using the On-line Application Form. Applications may also be submitted by Email (in PDF format) to: awards@massbayrre.org
Download Award/Grant Instructions: Webb+MBRRE Award Instructions 2025.pdf
Download Award/Grant Application in PDF Format: Webb+MBRRE Award Application 2025.pdf
Mailed applications must include all supporting documents. Applications should be mailed to: Award 2025, Mass Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, P.O. Box 4245, Andover, MA 01810-0814.
The application period for the 2025 H. Albert Webb Award and Mass Bay RRE Grants will close at 11:30 PM on December 2, 2024.
