Realizing the importance of railroads in America, the Boy Scouts introduced the Railroading Merit Badge in 1952. Railroads still play a vital role in our nation, as nearly 40 percent of all U.S. freight travels by train (trucks rank second at less than 30 percent). In Walmart stores, for example, 90 percent of merchandise was on a train at some point during its trip to the shelf.

With this in mind, the National Railroad Museum, a non-profit educational institution, is pleased to offer an annual Railroading Merit Badge Workshop. The 2025 workshop will be held on November 1st. For a look at how the 2025 workshop will go, please visit here!

The Railroading Merit Badge Workshop is a one-day program that affords Scouts the opportunity to earn the merit badge by participating in six different activity stations. Each station deals with different requirements for the merit badge. The National Railroad Museum offers a wealth of resources for this program, including our historical exhibits and a team of instructors from both the Museum staff and professional railroad sources. Participants are encouraged to read the Railroading Merit Badge Book before attending the workshop.

Registration will not be available via phone or email. Participation will be limited to the first 300 Scouts and 100 adults. The Railroading Merit Badge Workshop is open to all Boy Scouts and adult leaders. Cub Scouts are welcome to participate – in which case, activities can be applied toward the completion of other awards but will not count for the Railroading Merit Badge. This is the only Railroading Merit Badge Workshop that is offered throughout the year.

In the spirit of Scouting, we ask your help by passing this information along to Scouts and adult leaders in your council. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. For more details, please contact Justin Lambrecht, education director, at (920) 437-7623 or jlambrecht@nationalrrmuseum.org.

Cost

$12 per person.

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