In 1992 a group of rail fans "Friends of the 494" joined forces to help preserve a piece of history, the Boston & Maine #494 Locomotive. In 1996 the White River Junction Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society was formed, receiving its charter in April 1997.
The B&M #494 has become the centerpiece of activity for the chapter. Located in downtown Hartford, Vermont next to the former Boston & Maine Railroad Station. The station continues to be used by today's Amtrak Vermonter Passenger service. Known as White River Junction, today it still is a junction of four railroads, Guilford Transportation (former Boston & Maine), New England Center RR (Former Central Vermont), the Green Mountain RR and Claremont & Concord RR.
Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month in the (former Boston & Maine Railroad) Amtrak station in Hartford, Vermont at 7:00 pm. After the business meeting the chapter host a program at 7:30pm which is open to the public. Programs include quest speakers, slide shows and video's on various railroad related subjects.