Help restore a legendary locomotive

Lehigh & New England #611 is an American classic

#611, the last surviving diesel locomotive of the legendary Lehigh & New England Railroad, turns 75-years old in 2023, and the Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. (RIPS) has big plans to celebrate this anniversary as we work to return it to operating condition at the Allentown & Auburn Railroad in Kutztown, PA.

LNE #611 waits at Pen Argyl, PA in October of 1960. Photo by Dave Augsburger.

The Railroad & Industrial Preservation Society, Inc. (RIPS) is honored to announce the awarding of a $10,000 grant from the Berkheimer Foundation for the restoration of the Lehigh & New England Alco S2 locomotive #611. The grant was arranged by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society (NRHS), and will be used to fund vital repairs to the locomotive. Read more...

Your donation can help speed the return of #611 to full operation

There are many ways to help support the restoration of #611. Visit our donation page to find out how you can join the effort to preserve #611.

Sponsorships are available

Corporations and individuals are welcome to sponsor the restoration of LNE #611 in a variety of ways. Visit our sponsorship page for details.

LNE #611

Come volunteer your time

We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to join in at our work site in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Whether you have locomotive restoration experience or not, there’s a role for you. Visit our volunteering page for more information.

#611 is seen in 1975 during her time at the Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge steel mill in Dearborn, Michigan.