Whether your interest in railroading centers on rail travel, photography, history, models, or just a love of trains, membership in the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts is for you.
Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc., traces its beginnings to 1934, when our founders sponsored what many consider to be the first "railfan trip" in the United States on the now-abandoned Hoosac Tunnel & Wilmington Railroad. In the ensuing years our organization has sponsored hundreds of railroad excursions, many of them over "freight-only" trackage. Indeed, there are very few rail routes in New England that have not been traversed by an RRE excursion train at some time. Today, Mass Bay RRE continues to organize specially-chartered excursion trains in cooperation with railroads throughout the Northeast. Three or more trips are generally operated each year, carrying hundreds of railfans and members of the general public.
The Callboy
In addition to our train excursions, Mass Bay RRE publishes 10 issues each year of its newsletter, the Callboy, which is sent to all members. Each issue contains articles on the history and operations of railroads in New England, as well as a calendar of events for club and enthusiast activities. Some of our smaller-capacity trips and events are advertised only to our members. Instead of Standard Mail delivery, members can choose to receive Callboy by email each month, at no additional charge, or by First-Class mail for an additional $20 per year. Sustaining members receive Callboy by First-Class mail at no additional charge, and foreign memberships include delivery of the Callboy by email.
Program Meetings
Our 'Third Thursday' program meetings feature presentations by speakers knowledgeable about railroad history, operations and rail travel Meetings are generally held at 8:00 PM on the Third Thursday of the month as a Zoom Webinar. All are welcome to view our programs, Mass Bay RRE membership is appreciated but not necessary. Links to the program meetings are posted on our Meetings page about a week in advance, and are also sent by email to our contact list. Most meetings are recorded for later viewing on Mass Bay RRE's YouTube channel.
In-person meetings are occassionally held at the Union Church in Waban (14 Collins Road, Newton, MA), at the intersection of Beacon Street and Waban Ave., just west of the MBTA Green Line's Waban station. See the Meetings page or all 978-470-2066 for directions.
Member Benefits
Members also receive discounted fares and/or preferred seating for most Mass Bay RRE train excursions and events. And, some smaller-capacity trips and events are advertised only to our members. Now, the Mass Bay RRE membership card is good for discounted admission to selected New England tourist railroads and museums. See our member benefits policy for a complete listing of member benefits and participating museums and tourist railroads.
Membership in the Mass Bay RRE is open to any person of good character, regardless of age. Membership categories and dues for the membership year ending December 31, 2025 are listed below. Please consider joining as a Contributing Member ($85 per year) or Sustaining Member ($160 per year) to further support the club and its activities. Sustaining members receive Callboy by First-Class mail at no additional charge, and foreign memberships include delivery of the Callboy by email.
2025 Membership levels & dues:
Sustaining** .........................................................................................................$160
(includes delivery of Callboy by first-class mail)
Contributing** .........................................................................................................$85
Family* ....................................................................................................................$60
Individual .................................................................................................................$45
Senior Family (age 65 & over)*............................................................................$50
Senior (age 65 & over)..........................................................................................$35
Youth (age 18 & under)..........................................................................................$20
* Family and Senior Family Memberships include one additional named person, residing at the same address as the primary member.
**
Contributing and Sustaining members may add one additional named family member at no additional cost. Additional Family Members are entitled to all member benefits but do not receive Callboy.
HOW TO JOIN MASS BAY RRE
MAIL ORDER: Download a printable copy of the New Membership Application and mail it with your payment to: Mass Bay RRE, P.O. Box 4245, Andover, MA 01810-0814. Make checks payable to "Mass Bay RRE." If paying by credit/debit card, be sure to include complete card number, card billing address, expiration date and CVC Code (3 digits on back of card, 4 digits on front of American Express cards. Please be sure to specify whether you want to receive Callboy by standard mail or Email.
BY TELEPHONE: Telephone orders are accepted at 978-470-2066, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards for mail and phone orders.
JOIN ON LINE! Use our On-line Membership Application and pay with PayPal or your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card using our secure on-line system. Note: this form is for new memberships ONLY. If you are a current Mass Bay RRE member and want to renew your membership for 2025, see below.
CURRENT MASS BAY RRE MEMBERS - RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ON LINE
Current or recently-lapsed Mass Bay RRE members can renew their memberships using our On-line Membership Renewal Form. To renew, you'll need to know your membership level and your member number, which can be found on the renewal notice we sent you or on the mailing label of your Callboy newsletter. If you have any questions about the on-line renewal system, or are unsure of your current membership status, please contact us at membership@massbayrre.org or call us at 978-470-2066.
On-line membership renewals are now available. RENEW HERE.
