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New York Central System Historical Society

EIN 23-7084709 · Hudson, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission of the NYCSHS is to perpetuate the legacy of the New York Central System NYCS railroad by acquiring and preserving its history traditions documents and artifacts; and by disseminating accurate information and products consistent with good stewardship.

Income
$209,632
Spending
$166,949
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
40.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $50,367 spent. Publications: Central Headlight: NYCSHS publishes a quarterly membership-only magazine on the history of the NYCS railroads. The Central Headlight publication contains articles and photographs related to the history of the NYCS. NYCentral Modeler: The Society also publishes an online modeling magazine the NYCentral Modeler that provides articles news and photographs about NYCS modeling. It is published quarterly and may be viewed online or downloaded and is free to all modelers and the general public. Books: NYCSHS publishes or assists in the publication of several books on NYCS. Much of the material has come from NYCSHSs archives. NYCSHS has supported other organizations in the creating of their books and videos with technical and imagery support as part of the organizations outreach. NYCSHS Calendar: The Society produces an annual color calendar with up to 14 NYCS photos in color and these are sold to members and the public.
  2. $8,368 spent. The NYCSHS operates both physical and electronic archives. The physical archives are located in NYCSHSs HQ Archives leased space. The electronic archives are available to anyone. NYCSHS uses a third-party hosting service for the electronic archive since it is felt that internal hosting is not part of its core competency. The electronic archive contains photographs and ICC Valuation Maps that are available for purchase. The archives have been used to create items sold in the Collinwood Shop. According to Accounting Standards Update 2019-03: Not-For-Profit Entities Topic 958: Updating the Definition of Collections a history organization does not need to recognize its collections as financial assets if all of the following criteria are met: A. The collections are held solely for public exhibition education or research in furtherance of public service rather than financial gain; B. they are protected kept unencumbered cared for and preserved; and C. they are subject to an organizational policy that requires proceeds realized from the sale of collections items be used for the acquisition of additional items for the collection the direct care of existing collections or both. The NYCSHS Archives meets all the above criteria and therefore does not recognize its archive collection as a financial asset.
  3. $12,779 spent. NYCSHS Collinwood Shop: The Society maintains an online shop featuring models copies of the Central Headlight the NYCentral modeler digital engineering drawings ICC valuation maps models of NYCS equipment and facilities photo collections NYCS movie DVDs annual calendars NYCS books NYCS clothing NYCS memorabilia memberships and convention registrations. A discount is provided to members. Manufacturers: From time to time the Society has had NYCS-specific models created. This has included freight cars passenger cars and structures that are specific to the NYCS. This allows those that are looking for authenticity to have a ready source for a model railroad layout instead of having to hand build them.
  4. $90,324 spent. Model Manufacturers: The Society provides technical information to model railroad manufacturers. The technical information takes the form of photographs and technical drawings. Internet Presence: There are several different forms for NYCSHSs internet presence. The Society has an electronic archive a Society website a members-only groups.io discussion list YouTube site Facebook site and Instagram site. NYCSHS Conventions and Mini Conventions: Each year the society holds an annual convention in one of the cities served by the NYCS. It also sporadically holds one or two mini conventions in some of those same cities. The annual convention features tours of local NYCS facilities numerous presentations on NYCS topics a banquet an annual meeting and a train show. Support to Other Railroad Societies and Museums: The society provides material collected as donations to the society to other societies for their archives and provides monetary support to worthy projects being done by them.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.