Click on the director’s name for email address.
NYCSHS Directors for 2023
President, Dave Mackay
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer, Noel Widdifield
Archivist, Joseph Epperson
Recording Secretary, Ralph C. Schiring
NYCentral Modeler Editor, Noel F. Widdifield
Director at Large, Membership Chair, Paul Stoving
Director at Large, Collinwood Shop, Mike Vescelus
Director at Large, eArchive & Technology, Robert C. McQueen
Director at Large, Tom Gerbracht
Director at Large, Seth Lakin
Director at Large, Ralph Schiring
Director at Large, Steve Probst
Director at Large, Frank Bongiovanni
NYCSHS Officers for 2023
Central Headlight Editor, Richard L. Stoving
Webmaster, Noel F. Widdifield
NYCSHS Directors Emeriti
Joseph P. Quinlivan
Richard Stoving
Dick Barrett
Darwin Simonaitis
Jim Suhs
Sheldon Lustig
Information Contacts
Click on the director’s name for email address. Phone #s are listed below the name.
Dave Mackay – President
201-960-1873
Vice President
Secretary
Noel Widdifield – Treasurer, Business Manager, Webmaster, Editor, NYCentral Modeler
703-407-3059
Mike Vescelus – Collinwood Shop
502-727-4524
Seth Lakin Modeling Committee Chair
219-477-0090
Dave Staplin – Passenger Car Expert
Paul Stoving – Membership Chair
414-870-3131
Joseph Epperson – Archivist
Tom Gerbracht – Engineering Drawings
Robert C. McQueen – eArchive/Technology
Ralph Schiring – NYCS Knowledge Coordinator – I can get you answers to your questions about the NYCS.
Rich Stoving – Emeritus, Editor, Central Headlight
570-724-7709
Steve Probst – Director
617-513-8245
Richard Barrett – Emeritus
518-482-4801
Darwin Simonaitis – Emeritus
Shel Lustig – Emeritus
Please note we have no railroad employment records.
Contact the Railroad Retirement Board for more information on genealogy searches.
U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Pension Records
You can now search a free index of 1.5 million US Railroad Retirement Board pension records on the Midwest Genealogy Center (part of the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, Mo.) website.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers a federal retirement benefits program similar to Social Security, but for railroad workers. The RRB index covers records from 1936 to the early 2000s . The program started in 1936, so these records don’t cover earlier railroad workers, or workers for local streetcar or interurban lines. Those who worked for railroads on a short-term or casual basis also might not have participated in the program.
Start your RRB index search on the Genealogy Quick Look website http://quicklook.midwestgenealogycenter.org/index.php—choose US Railroad Retirement Board from the Collection menu.
The results give you the last name and usually just a first initial, along with dates of birth and death (month and year for birth and death, and occasionally the day). Once you find a relative, you can order copies of the pension records for about 80 cents per page from the National Archives Atlanta office. Use the provided link on the search results to Print This Page and then click on Submit Your Request, which gives instructions on how to request copies.
Before this index, you had to pay $27 to have RRB staff check their index to see if your ancestor was part of the retirement system. The Midwest Genealogy Center’s RRB index saves you the $27 and gives you the flexibility to do further research on potentially relevant search results.
This article was written by May Ann Boggs for the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society. The Midwest Genealogy Center at the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, MO has the index on their website. We thank all of them for allowing us to publish this article on our website.
http://quicklook.midwestgenealogycenter.org/index.php
Under the “Collection” title click on the dropdown to “U.S. Railroad Retirement Board”.
General Research Questions:
PLEASE NOTE: While we try to respond to all inquires, due to the overwhelming amount of mail received, our volunteers cannot possibly answer general inquiries in a timely manner. Please consider asking your historic or general interest question in one of the many friendly discussion groups, such as the New York Central Forum.
Official Address (Do not send membership forms or money to this address)
New York Central System Historical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 130
Gates Mills, OH 44040-0130
Membership Address (Please mail all membership forms and payments and address changes to this address)
New York Central System Historical Society, Inc.
P. O. Box 0126
Oak Creek, WI 53154-0126
Treasurer Address
New York Central System Historical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 1597
Leesburg, VA 20177-1597
To update your mailing address, phone number or email address click here to send an email to the Webmaster.
If you need to contact us you can click on one of the Board Member’s names and that will give you an email to contact us. If you want to ask a general question you can contact us at: webmaster@nycshs.org.
NYCSHS 
I am not sure if this is the correct place for the following question. My name is Tom DeStefano, NYCSHS #6786. I am considering modifying an HO Sunset (Samhongsa) NYC K-5 by removing the Elesco feedwater heater system. Staufer has a couple of photos in his books but I would be interested in a little more info if available for this modeling project as there is a fair amount of plumbing in that area. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks. Tom
I will forward this to one of our steam loco guys to see what they say.
Seth Lakin says he responded to you directly last week.
Thanks, NYCSHS
I found some lead seals along the Hudson River in nyc with markings for nycrr and nychrr. I was wondering what they might have been used for on the railroad. Thanks
Please send photo of them to us at nfwiddifield@nycshs.org and we will take a look.
Has the Society published any articles on the steel bay window cabooses? If so would be interested in knowing pubication dates and how to purchase. — Walt Lankenau
Hello,
Just found out about your organization. Would you have sny information on Diesel assignments out of Boston in the 60s
What specifically do you wish to know about them?
Charles Goodnow served the West Shore line in some capacity after being superintendent of the
New Haven and Northampton from 1881-1883. In 1886 he was assigned to the C M & St P as superintendent of Construction. He lived in Syracuse in approx 1883-5. Any career or personal biographical information is appreciated.
Please note we have no railroad employment records.
Contact the Railroad Retirement Board for more information on genealogy searches.
U.S. Railroad Retirement Board Pension Records
You can now search a free index of 1.5 million US Railroad Retirement Board pension records on the Midwest Genealogy Center (part of the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, Mo.) website.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers a federal retirement benefits program similar to Social Security, but for railroad workers. The RRB index covers records from 1936 to the early 2000s . The program started in 1936, so these records don’t cover earlier railroad workers, or workers for local streetcar or interurban lines. Those who worked for railroads on a short-term or casual basis also might not have participated in the program.
Start your RRB index search on the Genealogy Quick Look website http://quicklook.midwestgenealogycenter.org/index.php—choose US Railroad Retirement Board from the Collection menu.
The results give you the last name and usually just a first initial, along with dates of birth and death (month and year for birth and death, and occasionally the day). Once you find a relative, you can order copies of the pension records for about 80 cents per page from the National Archives Atlanta office. Use the provided link on the search results to Print This Page and then click on Submit Your Request, which gives instructions on how to request copies.
Before this index, you had to pay $27 to have RRB staff check their index to see if your ancestor was part of the retirement system. The Midwest Genealogy Center’s RRB index saves you the $27 and gives you the flexibility to do further research on potentially relevant search results.
This article was written by May Ann Boggs for the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society. The Midwest Genealogy Center at the Mid-Continent Public Library in Independence, MO has the index on their website. We thank all of them for allowing us to publish this article on our website.
http://quicklook.midwestgenealogycenter.org/index.php
Under the “Collection” title click on the dropdown to “U.S. Railroad Retirement Board”.
Hello,
I was wondering about if there is any information pertaining to the history of the central’s paint schemes, as in years of use and anything on the short lived script logo.
Thanks,
Good morning, I have a complete ticket brief case with keys, journals and stubs etc. I received when my father passed away a few years ago and would like to learn more about this item. It is in perfect condition and is full of all sorts of things that are in great condition and very organized. Wondering if someone could call or FaceTime and I could show and learn more about this item. Thanks hope to hear back.
Sorry for the delay in answering. We will get back to you this coming week.