Thanks to 920 incredible donors from across the country, we’ve met our ambitious goal of raising $500,000 to kickstart the restoration of New York Central steam locomotive No. 3001.
From recurring $25 gifts to major contributions over $20,000, this groundswell of support has come from railfans, retirees, industry professionals, and Hoosiers alike — each one showing that the American Locomotive Project is more than a dream. It’s a movement.
Earlier this year, a single wrench turn in Elkhart symbolized a quiet beginning. Now, that symbolic act has become the spark that will awaken a sleeping giant.
Volunteers with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society are preparing for a series of focused work sessions, beginning with clearing the museum yard, uncovering long-buried rails, and inspecting the locomotive’s massive frame and running gear — all to ready her for a long-awaited move and eventual rebirth.
We’re not there yet. Just preparing No. 3001 for transport will require over $250,000 and weeks of work. And that’s only the beginning. Her full return to operation will take an investment of over $4 million — an enormous figure, yes, but one grounded in decades of experience and driven by a clear, achievable goal: seeing this powerful Mohawk-class engine thunder to life once more, leading a recreated New York Central passenger train over home rails.
So how do you calculate what it takes to bring a 400-ton icon back to life? How do you budget for rust, time, steel, and spirit?
In the coming weeks, we’ll answer those questions as we release a full inspection report on the Mohawk. We’ve been busy assembling an exclusive look at the numbers, the challenges, and the path ahead — a journey through the heart of one of the most ambitious steam locomotive restorations in preservation history.
Stay tuned. The story of No. 3001 is just beginning — and because of you, it’s a story we’re ready to write.
Your continued gifts will help us get ready for the upcoming phase and strengthen our next steps.
Thank you for supporting the American Locomotive Project and New York Central No. 3001.
