Grantwriting and consultant services for non-profits and rail heritage organizations

Non-profits in the rail preservation industry face unique challenges when it comes to conducting feasibility studies, capital campaigns, grant writing, and strategic planning. National Rail Consulting Group has helped raise over $35 million dollars for tourist railroads, locomotive overhauls, passenger car restorations, and facility needs.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS

From new facility construction to restoration projects, and studies, or strategic plans, NRCG can guide you through every step of a successful capital campaign. Before you launch your next campaign, let us consult on your budget, goals, and milestones,

GRANT WRITING FOR RAILROAD NON PROFITS

We’ve helped raise over $3 million for a locomotive restoration in Nashville and $14 million for a tourist railroad expanding into freight service in Pennslyvania. If you’re looking for local, state, federal, or foundation support, we can work with your staff to create accurate and compelling grant requests with real-world numbers, actual expertise, and genuine results.

NON-PROFIT STRATEGIC PLANNING

Many organizations plan from within, but an outside perspective can be a valuable contribution to long-term plans. While many agencies offer broad strategic plan consultation, our firm’s vested interest in the success of rail preservation organizations and our proficiency in the industry makes us a unique partner for setting your organization up for success.

RAILROAD SAFETY, TRAINING, AND AUDITING

Safety, training, and compliance are critical components of your culture, and National Rail can help evaluate operations, practices, and programs for employees and volunteers. Our consultants include former FRA and DOT advisors, and we’re qualified to offer guidance and training for 49 CFR part 243, 49 CFR part 217, 49 CFR part 218, 49 CFR part 219, 49 CFR part 240, 49 CFR part 242, 49 CFR part 228, and 49 CFR part 225.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (“RRIF”) loan program has up to $35 billion available for loans to support a broad range of rail investments: rail infrastructure improvements; locomotive, freight car, and equipment purchases; funding acquisitions; and repaying outstanding debt.

FREIGHT RAIL

Some rail tourism organizations enjoy doubling as common carrier freight railroads and transload facilities. This service can generate additional revenue, but come with special challenges.

RAILROAD ENGINEERING

Railroad stations, turntables, high-and-wide shipments, and new locomotive construction are just some of the projects we’ve engineered from SolidWorks to ground-breaking.