The Blackhawk Railway Historical Society holds monthly meetings (open to the public) that feature programs about railroading's past, present, and future. We also publish a bimonthly newsletter, the Spike & Tie, that covers local railroad news and history, along with updates on Blackhawk meetings, projects, special events, news, and society business.
A chapter of the National Railway Historical Society since 1969, Blackhawk includes working and retired professional railroaders, historians, railfans, and those who simply have an interest in railroading. If this describes you, we invite you to Join Us.
We have worked with local communities, groups, historical societies, other organizations, and the press to develop and promote events and projects that recognize the railroad's significance and history. See our Projects page to see what Blackhawk is doing to preserve railroad history and promote railroading's future.
For all correspondence (other than membership), please email us
Board of Directors, Appointed and Elected Officers
A chapter of the National Railway Historical Society since 1969, Blackhawk includes working and retired professional railroaders, historians, railfans, and those who simply have an interest in railroading. If this describes you, we invite you to Join Us.
We have worked with local communities, groups, historical societies, other organizations, and the press to develop and promote events and projects that recognize the railroad's significance and history. See our Projects page to see what Blackhawk is doing to preserve railroad history and promote railroading's future.
For all correspondence (other than membership), please email us
Board of Directors, Appointed and Elected Officers
- Bill Molony - President Emeritus
- Dave Daruszka - Vice-president, Program Director, National Director (NRHS representative)
- Michael Riha - Treasurer, Secretary pro temp, Webmaster, Newsletter Editor
- Bruce Haffner - Director at Large
- John Eagan - Director at Large, Swap Meet Manager
- Peter Viall - Membership Chair
- Andrea Zoelle - Chief Steward, dining car services
About our name...When founded in 1969, the original members used decided to use the name "Blackhawk." It was a reference to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy overnight passenger train of the same name.
Many original members were very interested in the Burlington, and plans were made to create a Burlington-themed railroad museum in Aurora, Illinois. |
(Train #48, "Black Hawk" led by CB&Q 4000 "Aeolus" at Chicago, IL; 1939. Otto Perry photo, Denver Public Library)
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(Amtrak "Black Hawk" photo by John T. Riha)
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Amtrak resurrected the Black Hawk name for a state-sponsored service that ran Chicago-Rockford-Dubuque, IA on ICG's (former Illinois Central) Iowa Division from 1974 to 1981. The State of Illinois is looking at restoring passenger rail service to Rockford, using a combination of the former Milwaukee Road (to Elgin) and the former Chicago & North Western (originally Galena & Chicago Union) to Rockford, and using Metra as the operator. |
The Blackhawk Railway Historical Society, Inc. is a chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Blackhawk is not affiliated with the former producer of railroad films and slides Blackhawk Films, or the Chicago franchise of the National Hockey League.
Chicago Railroad History Month:
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Unfortunately, the idea didn't gain the momentum we had hoped for, so we have set it aside for now...keeping in mind that 2048 will mark the 200th anniversary.