The Bernard G. Corbin Award is the highest honor given by the BRHS Board of Directors in recognition of a member's outstanding efforts to preserve the history of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. It is named in memory and honor of Bernard G. Corbin (April 28, 1907 - January 30, 1988), who was arguably the pre-eminent fan/historian/modeler of the Burlington. Corbin pronounced his name "Ber nerd," not "Ber nard," but he was commonly known to friends as Bernie (and any model railroader or fan of the Q or its affiliates was a friend).

Life Memberships to the BRHS are bestowed upon those that have made innumerable contributions to the preservation of CB&Q history and service to the BRHS over a period of many years. Only seven Life Memberships have been awarded in the history of the BRHS

The Singer Award for Archival Contributions was created by the Board of Directors in 2018 in the name of George and Norma Singer, the parents of Jim Singer, who were the inspiration and motivation in Jim's efforts to establish a permanent Archive facility for the BRHS.  This award is given annually in recognition of that same spirit of inspiration and motivation in archival contributions, be it financial or physical, to the benefit of the BRHS Archive.  It was unanimous that the first recipient be Jim Singer.

William Fuka and Leonard Miekiszak were supporters of the BRHS and CB&Q devotees for decades.  It is in their memory and the memory of other members who have passed away that the BRHS annually recognizes an individual or organization for contributing to the preservation of Burlington Lines History. The recipient is not required to be a BRHS member.

Recipients:

2000 - Rodney (Bat) Masterson 2001 - Jim Singer & Chuck Zeiler 2002 - Gerald Edgar 2003 - The Mendota Union            Depot Railroad Museum 2004 - Al Holck 2005 - Dave Beck 2006 - Ray Buhrmaster            & Joe Douda 2007 - Oregon Depot 2008 - David Miner - Ft            Madison, Farmingtion &            Western RR 2009 - The West Chicago City            Museum 2010 - Edward M. DeRouin 2011 - Donald D. Benson 2012 - The Newberry Library

2013 - Rupert Gamlen 2014 - Sara Phalen 2015 - Spring Meeting            Passenger Panel -            Art Anderson,            Dick Corrin,            Forester DuSell,            Mike Farris,            Dave Hoffman 2016 - Jim Ehernberger 2017 - Leo Phillipp 2018 - J.W. (Bill) Schultz 2019 - William Barber            Louis Zadnichek 2020 - Jack Schroeder 2021 - Ralph (Bud) Linroth 2022 - The Vreeland Family

A "Gandy Dancer," according to Webster, is a laborer in a railroad section gang. Most likely they were given this name because of the tools they worked with daily, tools that were manufactured at the Gandy Manufacturing Company of Chicago. The gandy dancer has the most physically challenging, and one of the most important jobs on the railroad. Their position is not as glamorous, or as recognized as an engineer or conductor, however if it weren't for the rails they lay, the trains would not run.

This is also true with certain volunteers in the BRHS. Their efforts are essential to the smooth operation of the society, yet they do not seek, or often receive the recognition they deserve. The BRHS award is a slice of rail with a spike welded to it, mounted on an oak base which is symbolic of the important rail a gandy dancer lays.

Recipients:
1995 - David Beck            George Speir 2017 - Jack Schroeder 2017 - Nancy & Scott Stearns 2018 - Jon Habegger            Bill Hirt            Bill Jelinek	2018 - Jon Habegger            Bill Hirt            Bill Jelinek 2019 - Jim Davidson            Danny Hornback 2022 - Laird Brown            Dan Hollis