NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Financials

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

PO BOX A, KENNEBUNKPORT, ME 04046-1690

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

KATIE ORLANDO, 22 ODENA AVE 3, OLD ORCHARD BEACH, ME 04064

Signed the 990

KATIE ORLANDO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Phone

(207) 967-2800

Website

WWW.TROLLEYMUSEUM.ORG

Return prepared by

CUMMINGS LAMONT & MCNAMEE PLLC

Mission

SEE DESCRIPTION OF MISSION STATEMENT WITHIN SCHEDULE 0.NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTS, RESTORES, EXHIBITS AND OPERATES SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC TRANSIT VEHICLES AND ARTIFACTS TO PRESERVE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES FOR THE EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Program accomplishments

• IN 2025, AS IN PAST YEARS, THE NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, OPERATORS OF THE SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM AND THE NATIONAL STREETCAR MUSEUM IN LOWELL [MASSACHUSETTS] HAVE CONTINUED TO CARRY OUT ITS PRIMARY MISSION OF COLLECTING, RESTORING, PRESERVING, INTERPRETING AND OPERATING TRANSIT VEHICLES, INCLUDING CITY STREETCARS, INTERURBAN CARS AND RAPID TRANSIT CARS, BUSES AND TRACKLESS TROLLEYS.BOTH MUSEUM CAMPUSES WERE OPEN IN 2025; THE LOWELL MUSEUM CONTINUES TO BE OPEN YEAR-ROUND ON WEEKENDS, AND SEASHORE TROLLEY MUSEUM WAS OPEN ON TUESDAYS FOR GROUP TOURS IN THE FALL, AND OPERATED FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC FROM WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER, AND THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF DECEMBER FOR KENNEBUNKPORT'S CHRISTMAS PRELUDE CELEBRATION. EVERY ELECTRIC STREETCAR OR INTERURBAN CAR IN THE OPERATING FLEET IS A RETIRED TRANSIT VEHICLE, MANY OF WHICH ARE OVER 100 YEARS OLD, AND ARE SUBJECT TO SERVICING AND CAREFUL INSPECTION BEFORE BEING RELEASED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE1.7-MILE-LONG DEMONSTRATION RAILWAY. AS THE FLEET OF CARS OPERATED FOR THE PUBLIC COMPRISES HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS, THE COST TO MAINTAIN IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE OVERALL BUDGET.AUXILIARY OPERATIONS:AUXILIARY OPERATIONS EXPENSES INCLUDE THOSE EXPENSES RELATING TO MUSEUM STORE SALES, AND OTHER SALES.MUSEUM STORE SALES INCLUDE THE SALE OF RELATED MERCHANDISE TO VISITORS AND MUSEUM MEMBERS. OTHER SALES INCLUDES THE SALE OF PARTS, EQUIPMENT, AND GENERAL SCRAP THAT THE SOCIETY HAS ACQUIRED IN THE PAST, AND NO LONGER NEEDS, OR HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND CONSTRUCTION OF SPECIALTY CARS FOR PRIVATE CUSTOMERS. THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE SURPLUS PARTS AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDE PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITIES, OTHER RAILWAY-ORIENTED MUSEUMS, AND PRIVATE COLLECTORS. SCRAP IS USUALLY SOLD TO A MANUFACTURER OR TO A JUNK OPERATION.THERE ARE NO AUXILIARY OPERATIONS GENERAL EXPENSES, OTHER THAN THE COST BASIS OF THE ITEMS SOLD REPORTED IN PART VIII AND THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMISSIONED WORK. ANY SUCH COSTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITS EXPENSES THAT RELATE TO THE PURCHASE OF PARTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR CONSERVATION OF THE COLLECTIONS.CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITSTHE CURATORIAL AND EXHIBITS FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES INCLUDE ALL EXPENSES THAT DIRECTLY RELATE TO ACCOMPLISHING THE SOCIETY'S MISSION. SUCH EXPENSES INCLUDE THE ACQUISITION AND CONSERVATION OF COLLECTIONS, THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS, THE COSTS OF OPERATING HISTORIC TRANSIT VEHICLES FOR THE PUBLIC, THE COSTS INCURRED FOR ADMISSIONS AND OPERATING SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THE PUBLIC, THE MAINTENANCE OF THOSE FACILITIES DEVOTED TO THE CONSERVATION, DISPLAY, AND INTERPRETATION OF THE COLLECTIONS, THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE PUBLIC, AND ANY OTHER ASSOCIATED EXPENSES.AS NOTED, THE MAIN ACTIVITY IS THE RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, PRIMARILY THE COLLECTION OF HISTORIC TRANSIT VEHICLES. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT STRENGTH OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND THE SOCIETY HAD BEEN A LEADER IN THIS FIELD. SUCH ACTIVITY INCLUDES RESTORATION, CONSERVATION, AND RUNNING MAINTENANCE. RUNNING MAINTENANCE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE MANY OF THE VEHICLES IN THE COLLECTION ARE USED TO PROVIDE RIDES TO THE PUBLIC. 4.A.2 PROTECTION OF THE MUSEUM'S EXTENSIVE VEHICLE COLLECTION IS A KEY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SOCIETY. IN RECENT YEARS, EFFORTS HAVE FOCUSED ON MAINTAINING THE NOW 60-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS HOUSING MUCH OF THE COLLECTION. FOUNDATION WORK AND ENGINEERING STUDIES FOR ADDITIONAL WORK IN CAR BARNS HAS BEEN A FOCUS. A KEY PART OF OUR MISSION IS TO "PROVIDE A REPOSITORY FOR ARTIFACTS AND INFORMATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL AND HISTORICAL NATURE RELATING TO THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSIT INDUSTRY AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO MODERN SOCIETY." WE HAVE A DEDICATED AND VERY ACTIVE GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS IN THIS AREA, WHO HAVE ORGANIZED MUCH OF THE COLLECTION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS AND ASSOCIATED ARTIFACTS, AND MOVED SOME OF IT TO SAFER STORAGE. VOLUNTEERS HAVE ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED AND CATALOGUED MUCH OF THE COLLECTION.4.B PUBLIC OPERATIONS PROGRAMS THE MAINE CAMPUS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON WEEKENDS IN MAY AND DECEMBER AND WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY FROM JUNE 1-OCTOBER 31. EVERY ELECTRIC STREETCAR OR INTERURBAN CAR IN OUR OPERATING FLEET IS AN AUTHENTIC TRANSIT VEHICLE, USUALLY OVER 100 YEARS OLD, SUBJECT TO SERVICING AND INSPECTION BEFORE BEING RELEASED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ON OUR DEMONSTRATION RAILWAY. BUS TOUR BUSINESS BECAME SIGNIFICANT IN 2015 AND REMAINED SO THROUGH 2019, TAPERING OFF DURING COVID-19. BUS TOUR BUSINESS WAS BACK IN HIGH DEMAND DURING THE 2025 SEASON. SPECIAL EVENTS DURING 2025 INCLUDED OUR ALWAYS POPULAR PUMPKIN PATCH DURING FOUR WEEKENDS IN LATE SEPTEMBER AND EARLY OCTOBER, "TROLLEYWEEN, AND ANNUAL MEETING AND MEMBER'S DAY EVENTS FOR OUR MEMBERS. DANIEL TIGER VISITED THE MUSEUM IN JULY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAINE PUBLIC, AND A NEW SELL-OUT EVENT WAS BACK FOR A SECOND SEASON IN 2025: DINO TROLLEY. EACH OF THESE EVENTS IS DESIGNED TO SHOWCASE OUR SUBSTANTIAL COLLECTION OF STREETCARS, INTERURBAN CARS, BUSES, TRACKLESS TROLLEYS AND RAPID TRANSIT CARS AS WELL AS TO CONNECT FAMILIES TO THE MUSEUM.BESIDES RIDING AUTHENTICALLY RESTORED TROLLEY CARS, OUR 35,470 VISITORS IN 2025 HAD ACCESS TO THIRTY OTHER CARS IN THREE PUBLIC EXHIBIT BARNS. WHEN SUFFICIENT VOLUNTEER STAFF IS AVAILABLE AND INFRASTRUCTURE STATUS ALLOWS, A TROLLEY RUNS ON A SHORT SHUTTLE TRIP TO THE LARGEST OF THESE BARNS, AND/OR A DOCENT GIVES GUIDED TOURS OF THE EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY. VISITORS WHO CHOOSE TO NAVIGATE THE CAMPUS ON A SELF-GUIDED TOUR HAVE MAPS AND A COMPREHENSIVE INTERPRETIVE AND INTERACTIVE SIGN PROGRAM. VISITORS MAY VIEW THE RESTORATION WORK IN PROGRESS IN OUR SHOP VIA A VISITOR'S GALLERY. OUR VISITORS CENTER EXHIBIT TELLS THE STORY OF THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY INDUSTRY WHICH A CENTURY AGO WAS THE FIFTH LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE EXHIBIT FOCUSES ON THE RESTORATION COMPLETED IN 2009 OF ATLANTIC SHORE LINE ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE 100, A PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED AN EXTENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM AND WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY THE STATE OF MAINE'S ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT FUNDS.THE SOCIETY OPERATES THE NATIONAL STREETCAR MUSEUM AT LOWELL (MASSACHUSETTS), IN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE LOWELL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK AND THE CITY OF LOWELL. THE MUSEUM INCLUDES A TWO-FLOOR EXHIBIT COVERING THE EVOLUTION OF RAIL TRANSIT IN LOWELL AND AROUND THE COUNTRY. THIS IS SUPPLEMENTED BY OPERATION OF THE SOCIETY'S CLASSIC NEW ORLEANS STREETCAR BY SOCIETY VOLUNTEERS ON THE NATIONAL PARK'S 1.5 MILE TROLLEY NETWORK. IN 2024, 2,530 GUESTS VISITED THE NATIONAL STREETCAR MUSEUM AT LOWELL. TO MAINTAIN RELIABLE OPERATIONS WE MUST PREVENT THE ENCROACHMENT OF TREES AND OTHER VEGETATION ON OUR EXTENSIVE RAIL AND OVERHEAD WIRE SYSTEMS. IN 2025, WE CONTINUED SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS TO ADDRESS THIS NEED, AND ALSO TO REPLACE UTILITY POLES AS NEEDED. 4.C EDUCATIONAL AND EXHIBIT PROGRAMS EXPENSESVOLUNTEERS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES THEREBY LIMITING EXPENSES REQUIRED ON A ROUTINE BASIS. A NEW INTERACTIVE MAP AND VIRTUAL GUIDE WAS INTRODUCED IN 2025, FUNDED BY THE BLOOMBERG FOUNDATION.
  Expenses $1,049,006 · revenue $414,700

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

01-0244457

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

1948

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Assets (IRS master file)

$12,656,293

Income (IRS master file)

$2,657,615

Filing history

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 01-0244457).

Questions about NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

What is the EIN of NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY?

The employer identification number (EIN) of NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY is 01-0244457.

Is NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1948.

Are donations to NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY file?

Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.

When is the next return of NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY due?

The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.

Who is the principal officer of NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names KATIE ORLANDO.

Who are the officers and directors of NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 14 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $106,700 (KATIE ORLANDO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).

How much revenue does NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,507,564, expenses of $1,386,179 and total assets of $12,656,293 at year end.

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