05/20/2026
2026 Chairman's Report by Brad Noble, D.O.
We closed out 2025 as our strongest year to date, with 2026 already building on that momentum. Our fundraising efforts delivered exceptional results: more than $500,000 raised for the boiler, $400,000 for the frame and cylinders, and $1,400,000 to construct the new facility where the T1 will be assembled. In addition, our members contributed another $225,000. It was truly a remarkable year—and the start of 2026 has been even more encouraging.
Twelve years ago, when the idea of building a brand-new T1 first took shape—sparked by the success of our colleagues overseas with their A1 project—it was difficult to envision how we would bring it all together. Today, the team that has formed—our dedicated volunteers, skilled contractors, and most importantly, you, our members and donors—has made what once seemed improbable a reality. By the end of this year, we have a genuine opportunity to see a rolling chassis, complete with cylinders. That kind of progress would have been hard to imagine a decade ago, yet here we are—and we are confident in your continued support to help us reach that milestone.
We are also pleased to share that an anonymous donor has made a significant contribution to the project and secured the naming rights for the locomotive. In honor of this gift, PRR T1 #5550 will tastefully carry the name Dave Fink. Dave Fink began his career as a Pennsylvania Railroad clerk and went on to become the President of the Pan Am Railway. His son, David Fink, currently serves as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. We are proud to recognize this legacy and will be sharing more details about this meaningful dedication in the near future.
As we approach approximately 70% completion, we continue to carefully evaluate our financial path forward. Our projected total cost of $8,000,000 remains on track to see the construction of PRR T1 #5550 through to completion. To date, we have raised over $5,100,000 through the generosity of donors, grants, and in-kind contributions. That places us well beyond the halfway point, with $2,900,000 remaining to be raised over the next two to three years. With the strength of our supporter base, this goal is well within reach.
Looking ahead, we anticipate completing our new building in Dennison, Ohio later this year and moving many of the locomotive’s major components into the facility. When that happens, we look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. It will be an opportunity for fellowship, reflection on the past 12 years, and excitement for the final stretch ahead as we work toward completing the locomotive by 2030.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to the day when you are behind #5550, riding the rails as the unmistakable tone of the PRR three-chime whistle echoes ahead—marking not just the completion of a locomotive, but the realization of a shared vision.
