u/Few-Ability-7312

Progress Report May 2026 - By General Manager Jason Johnson

Having been involved with the PRR T1 Trust for the past ten years, it is remarkable to reflect on how far we have come. Many of the activities we are undertaking today were once only ideas on paper. In my role as General Manager, I am responsible for turning your generous donations into tangible progress, working closely with our engineering team, vendors, and contractors to bring this locomotive to life.

In 2025, much of our focus was on completing the massive locomotive frame and advancing work on the cylinders. The frame was finished mid-year, marking a major milestone, and we then shifted our attention to machining the cylinders in the latter half of the year. At the same time, we worked extensively with our engineering partners on the design and planning of our new 60' x 200' erection facility in Dennison, Ohio. This process also required multiple environmental reviews, all of which were successfully completed.

The groundwork laid in 2025 has positioned us for an exciting year ahead. Many of you who attended our presentations heard me share a personal goal, to set the frame on its drivers in 2026. I am pleased to say that this milestone is now within reach. Thanks to your continued support, the following progress is underway:

- All eight 80” driver wheels are at the machine shop for final machining (expected completion July 2026)

- All four main axles have been ordered (expected completion July 2026)

-Main Timken roller bearings have been ordered (expected arrival June 2026)

- Driving box patterns are in production (expected completion June 2026)

- Driving tires have been ordered (expected delivery October 2026)
Cylinders are currently being welded (expected completion June 2026)

- Brake rigging components have been ordered (expected completion July 2026)

- Boiler firebox components have been ordered (expected delivery September 2026)

What does this mean for the project? If our contractors and vendors remain on schedule, we anticipate mounting the tires in November and setting the frame onto the completed wheelsets before the end of the year. This would represent an extraordinary step forward. Meanwhile, continued progress on the boiler could see it completed in 2027, allowing it to be mated with the frame and running gear.

Even as I write this, it is incredible to consider that we are approaching this stage of construction. We hope our progress reflects the expectations you have placed in us. Simply put, we move as quickly as your support allows—and thanks to you, that pace continues to accelerate. With less than $3 million remaining to reach completion, and with the momentum we are seeing from our supporters, this goal is well within reach as we work toward a 2030 completion.
We also look forward to welcoming you to an open house at our new facility, anticipated for late this year or spring 2027, depending on construction progress. It will be an opportunity to see firsthand what your support has made possible.
Thank you for being part of this journey.

Preparations underway at Altoona Yard to accommodate the UP Big Boy steam locomotive....
Two new switches were installed for the track known as "10 at Brush" and the MW tracks near 4th street. In this shot, the NS 3011 is sitting on 10 at Brush. Note the panel track extending into the background for the MW tracks. This area is where the Big Boy will spend some of its time in Altoona.

So here in Mineral Wells, we have a Vietnam memorial museum. One of the Displays is a **Sikorsky CH-54A Tarhe (**66-18409) and was found 60 yards away

This tornado rivaled BCM tornado that happened a week earlier and the 1997 Jarrell tornado. Cattle had their hides ripped right off of them. Some of them were missing heads, and some were caught up and entwined in barbed wire. One Person dead and 6 were injured. If this wasn’t “Bum F*** Nowhere” it would have been F5 rated. But because hoses weren’t well built, typical for small country town, it was only rated F4.