Membership

West Jersey Chapter welcomes new members who share our interest in rail transportation and history. Membership is available for persons age 16 or older. You may also optionally join our parent organization, the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS).

About Membership

West Jersey Chapter has three classes of membership: Regular, Family, and Student. Family membership applies only as an adjunct to Regular membership for persons residing in the same household. Student membership is available for those individuals aged 16 through 25 at a reduced rate. Regular and Student members receive our journal West Jersey Rails Quarterly, and are entitled to vote in West Jersey Chapter elections. All members aged 18 and older may serve on committees and are eligible to serve on the Board of Directors - see the West Jersey Chapter By-laws for details.

How to Apply

Regular Membership

You can apply for Regular membership (with or without Family members) through our online store using a credit card, or by completing the printed membership application form, and either mailing it to us, or submitting it to us in person at a West Jersey Chapter meeting or a show where West Jersey Chapter has a sales table - see our Event Calendar for upcoming events. We accept cash, checks, and money orders as payment at meetings and shows, and checks and money orders for applications made through the mail.

Student Membership (Ages 16-25)

You must apply for Student membership using the Student printed membership application form. If you are under age 18 the application must be signed by your parent or guardian. You may either mail it to us, or submit it to us in person at a West Jersey Chapter meeting or a show where West Jersey Chapter has a sales table - see our Event Calendar for upcoming events. We accept cash, checks, and money orders as payment at meetings and shows, and checks and money orders for applications made through the mail.

General Information

Applicants should review the information presented on this page, and the West Jersey Chapter By-laws, as this document sets forth how West Jersey Chapter is governed. Payment in full must accompany your application. All applicants must be affirmed by the West Jersey Chapter Board of Directors before membership can take effect. If you apply for membership on or after September 1, your dues will apply to the next calendar year, and you will be carried for the balance of the current calendar year at no additional charge.

Additional Information Regarding Student Membership (Ages 16-25)

We require your birth date on the membership application to verify that you qualify for student membership. We will also use your birth date to determine when you will reach age 26, and so qualify for Regular membership. If you have reached age 26 on January 1 of an ensuing year, your membership status will be changed to Regular member and Regular membership dues for the ensuing year will apply. You do not have to apply for Regular membership once you reach age 26.

Student membership cannot be applied for in West Jersey Chapter’s online store. This is because we require your birth date, which is personally identifiable information (PII). Your birth date will be kept confidential.

If you are under the age of 18 at the time of application, your parent or guardian must also sign the student membership application.

A minor - any person under the age of 18 - must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all in-person West Jersey Chapter events. The responsible adult need not be a West Jersey Chapter member.

Membership Dues for 2024

West Jersey Chapter Annual Dues

Regular - $30.00
Additional family member - $3.00
Student (16-25) - $15.00

National Railway Historical Society Annual Dues (for information only)

Regular - $50.00
Each additional family member - $7.00
Student (13-24) - $16.00

Membership Renewals

Renewal notices are mailed to all current members each November. Please renew by January 1.

Regular members (with or without Family members) may pay your annual dues using a credit card in our online store, remit your dues by mail, at a West Jersey Chapter meeting, or at a show where West Jersey Chapter has a sales table. Do not send cash through the mail.

Student members may remit your dues by mail, at a West Jersey Chapter meeting, or at a show where West Jersey Chapter has a sales table. Do not send cash through the mail. Student membership renewal is not available in our online store.

Donations

You may also make cash donations to further West Jersey Chapter’s efforts in preserving rail history. Donations may be made when applying for membership, renewing membership, or at any other time. There are two donation categories: Archive Fund and General Fund. Monies in the Archive Fund are used specifically to purchase equipment and supplies for the preservation of historic materials, such as photographs and negatives. Monies in the General Fund are used to support other Chapter activities. All funds are disbursed at the discretion of the West Jersey Chapter Board of Directors. You may make a donation using a credit card in our online store or by clicking DONATE on the Store’s menu bar. If you wish to make a donation when applying for membership or renewing membership, add the Annual Membership to the cart, then click DONATE on the menu bar and add that item to the cart prior to checking out.

NRHS Membership

Starting in 2015, the annual NRHS dues will be collected separately from West Jersey Chapter dues. You will need to register with both the NRHS and West Jersey Chapter, and remit to both organizations separately. You must apply for membership to the NRHS through the NRHS’s website.

Questions?

If you have any questions about membership in either West Jersey Chapter or the NRHS, please email us for further information.

The following table compares the benefits of West Jersey Chapter membership with and without NRHS membership:

          Benefit/Feature
          With NRHS Membership
          Without NRHS Membership
        

          Attend West Jersey Chapter (WJC) meetings and other events:
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Receive all West Jersey Rails Quarterly (WJRQ) issues for the calendar year (typically four):
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Receive WJC notifications by email:
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Sign up for WJC E-Gram and Turbo list email notifications:
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Eligible for discounts on WJC books, WJRQ, and other Chapter publications and merchandise:
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Able to serve WJC as a director, an officer, or chair a committee (age 18 or older):
          Yes
          Yes, except NRHS rep.
        

          Able to serve on a committee (age 18 or older):
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Able to vote on WJC matters:
          Yes
          Yes
        

          Receive NRHS Bulletin, bimonthly NRHS News, notices and mailings from NRHS:
          Yes
          No
        

          Able to vote on NRHS matters:
          Yes
          No
        