Preserving America’s railroad heritage — restoring, educating, and celebrating the historic Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) that shaped modern rail travel.
The Budd Rail Diesel Car Foundation, Inc. is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Milford, Connecticut, dedicated exclusively to the preservation, restoration, and historical education of the iconic Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs).
Developed by the Budd Company of Philadelphia, the RDC was a groundbreaking self‑propelled diesel rail car that revolutionized regional and commuter rail travel across the United States, Canada, and worldwide from the 1950s through the late 20th century.
Our Foundation preserves these historic rail machines, documents their engineering legacy, supports restoration projects, and educates the public about their vital role in American railroad history. We serve rail enthusiasts, historians, students, and preservationists nationwide.
As a fully IRS‑compliant tax‑exempt organization, we maintain strict financial transparency, ethical governance, and responsible stewardship of all funds dedicated to railroad preservation.
Our Mission: To preserve, restore, document, and interpret the history of Budd Rail Diesel Cars (RDCs) and promote public education, appreciation, and access to these historic American rail treasures.
Our Vision: To ensure the legacy of the Budd RDC lives on through restored equipment, educational programs, archives, and public engagement for future generations of railroad historians and enthusiasts.
Saving historic RDC rail cars from loss and decay.
Teaching the public about railroad history and engineering.
Honoring American rail innovation and transportation history.
Responsible, transparent management of preservation funds.
The Budd Rail Diesel Car Foundation, Inc. supports four core mission areas to protect and share the history of the Budd RDC with the public.
Funding and managing the professional restoration of Budd Rail Diesel Cars to preserve their mechanical and historical integrity.
Collecting, preserving, and sharing photographs, manuals, records, and engineering documents related to the Budd RDC.
Providing educational programs, exhibits, lectures, and resources for schools, museums, and railroad enthusiasts.
Supporting national railroad preservation efforts and promoting the importance of maintaining historic rail equipment.
For membership inquiries, donations, research requests, or partnership opportunities, please contact The Budd Rail Diesel Car Foundation, Inc. during standard U.S. business hours.
The Budd Rail Diesel Car Foundation, Inc.
40 Tall Pine Rd
Milford, CT, US 06461
United States of America
Phone: 6188618086
Email: info@thebudd.bond
Tax ID / EIN: 06-1442652
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Railroad History Preservation Foundation