April 22, 2026
Preserving History Through Service
Founded in 2006, the Lake States Railway Historical Association (LSRHA) is an organization dedicated to preserving and sharing railroad history across the western Great Lakes region. Through an extensive collection of artifacts, materials, and historical data, LSRHA plays an important role in protecting the legacy of American railroads for future generations.
The LSRHA President Paul Swanson connected with Jason Nates, a signal engineer at Modern Railway Systems (MRS), to explore options for replacing the organization’s aging alarm system. The existing wireless system had proven unreliable due to building conditions, creating an ongoing challenge for protecting the facility and its collection.
Drawing on his experience, Jason identified an opportunity to deliver a more dependable solution. He proposed a fully wired system designed to improve reliability while reducing long term costs. Recognizing the impact of the effort, he leveraged Volunteer Time Off (VTO) and brought in Mike Weber to support the work.
Momentum quickly followed. After the project was shared in LSRHA’s newsletter, a donor stepped forward to fully fund the upgrade. With materials secured and a plan in place, the team coordinated additional support from industry partners, including Ian Papp of Canadian National Railway and Keith Huebner of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, to complete the installation in a single day.
Beyond the alarm system, the team made broader improvements to the facility’s infrastructure. This included organizing and upgrading the utility room, installing new outlets to replace temporary power setups, and enhancing overall system reliability. Mike also provided guidance on multimedia storage and data backup, helping position the organization for more efficient long term operations.
This effort reflects what it means to build better connections. By bringing together technical expertise, industry collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing the right thing, the team delivered a solution that will help protect a valuable piece of railroad history for years to come.
