05/01/2026
We are fortunate to have so many loyal supporters, and none more so than the Berkheimer Foundation. We are pleased to announce that the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. (RIPS) has received a $5,000 grant from the Berkheimer Foundation to advance the restoration of Lehigh & New England Railroad (LNE) diesel-electric locomotive No. 611. The locomotive, the last surviving intact LNE diesel, represents a key chapter in Pennsylvania’s anthracite, cement, and slate-belt industrial heritage.
The grant, arranged through the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc., continues the Berkheimer Foundation’s annual commitment to the No. 611 restoration effort and underscores a longstanding partnership between regional preservation organizations.
RIPS President David Organek emphasized the importance of continued philanthropic support:
“The Berkheimer Foundation’s year-over-year commitment is vital to moving No. 611 closer to operating condition and ensuring it becomes an interactive symbol of the industries that once powered the anthracite, cement, and slate-belt corridor of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.”
Based in Pen Argyl, PA, where No. 611 once served the town’s bustling railyard, the Berkheimer Foundation has deep roots in the locomotive’s home community. Foundation Treasurer Henry Sandt noted,
“No. 611 is the survivor from the LNE’s final decades and a true icon of Pen Argyl in the 1950s. Its story is inseparable from the slate-belt’s industrial identity.”
Jim Rowland, President of the Lehigh Valley Chapter NRHS, echoed that sentiment:
“This locomotive is one of those rare artifacts that tangibly connects the region’s anthracite, cement, and slate legacies. The Berkheimer Foundation’s continued support, in partnership with our chapter, has been essential — predating the project’s transition to RIPS — and we all share the goal of seeing No. 611 brought back to life.”
Organek added that 2026 holds special meaning:
“This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Lehigh & New England Railroad’s final operations and the fifth anniversary of RIPS taking stewardship of No. 611. We view the Berkheimer grant as the perfect way to launch a pivotal year for both the restoration effort and for regional railroad heritage.”
Three Restoration Priorities for 2026
The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society (RIPS) has identified three major mechanical objectives for 2026 that will sustain restoration momentum and bring Lehigh & New England No. 611 measurably closer to operation. Each initiative relies on a coordinated mix of grant funding, individual donations, and skilled volunteer labor.
1. Roller-Bearing Trucks and Traction Motors
RIPS owns a set of roller-bearing trucks (wheel assemblies) currently on short-term loan to the Wilmington & Western Railroad. These assemblies will be rebuilt and paired with four traction motors that are being professionally rehabilitated by Electric Motor & Supply of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
The traction motor work – funded through grants from Norfolk Southern and the Berkheimer Foundation – represents one of the most technically significant aspects of No. 611’s mechanical restoration. Once completed, the reconditioned trucks and motors will be installed beneath the locomotive, addressing a critical component of its running gear and ensuring reliable operation.
2. Completing Work on the Prime Mover
At the heart of No. 611 is a McIntosh & Seymour-designed 539T diesel engine, known as the prime mover, that drives the locomotive’s main generator, which in turn supplies electrical power to the traction motors.
RIPS volunteers have made steady progress on the inspection, repair, and reassembly of the prime mover, combining historic mechanical skills with careful documentation for authenticity. Although No. 611 will not move under its own power at this stage, finalizing prime mover work will mark a pivotal milestone on the path toward operational restoration.
3. Rebuilding or Replacing the Main Generator
The locomotive’s main generator converts mechanical energy from the prime mover into electrical current for No. 611’s traction motors and on-board systems. Due to decades of inactivity and wear, the generator now requires a complete rebuild or replacement. This is a complex and costly procedure central to the overall project’s success.
With sufficient funding, RIPS plans to initiate this critical work in 2026, ensuring the electrical systems can once again produce the power needed to move the historic locomotive under its own control.
How Individuals and Corporations Can Help
RIPS estimates at least $50,000 is required to fully fund the 2026 priorities, including mechanical work, insurance, and related operating expenses tied directly to returning No. 611 to service. Supporters can contribute in two main ways:
Donate:
Online: Secure online donations may be made at riptrack.org/donations/how-you-can-help-lehigh-new-england-611-return-to-the-rails
