Collaboration sees Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society acquire New York Central Steam Locomotive no. 3001
ELKHART, IND. – A partnership between the City of Elkhart, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, and the National New York Central Railroad Museum will create a new strategic plan for the Museum’s redevelopment and dispatch a noteworthy 1940s steam locomotive on a path toward restoration. For details and or to donate, visit americanloco.org.
In addition to acquiring New York Central steam locomotive No. 3001 from the Museum’s collection, the Fort Wayne Railroad has undertaken a study with local officials to develop guidance that will improve its outdoor railroad displays and position the institution as an anchor for neighborhood redevelopment.
“We have been the stewards of the Mohawk for many years,” said Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson. “Although we have had no shortage of pride and admiration for this historic machine, we lacked the expertise to be able to preserve it in the way it deserves. We are thrilled to be able to announce this partnership and a new life for the Mohawk.”
Following an assessment of the National New York Central Museum’s collection, a de-accession plan for select rolling stock will be published, allowing qualified parties to solicit their interest. Public input opportunities for the National New York Central Museum’s master plan will be held in 2025.
“We treat this collaboration and the acquisition of the 3001 with great excitement and seriousness,” stated Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of the Fort Wayne Railroad. “The locomotive’s future has been uncertain for decades, but with consistent and demonstrated donor support, we believe it can become a major attraction as part of an authentic and immersive experience that will welcome thousands of people from around the world.”
Pending successful fundraising efforts, No. 3001 will be the only operating New York Central steam locomotive in the world. It will run over former New York Central trackage, pulling former New York Central passenger cars, between restored New York Central stations as part of the Indiana Rail Experience. Several railroads and preservation partners have been identified as suitable venues for the locomotive and train.
Fort Wayne has issued a $100,000 challenge grant to kick off the $4.3 million restoration of the 84-year-old machine, with the first goal to raise $500,000 by May 3rd, 2025. As a compliment to mailed or online donations, donor pledges can be made at americanloco.org for periodic drives for the restoration effort to meet its milestones. If fully funded, the multi-year effort would see significant repairs made to its boiler, firebox, running gear, and appliances. Donations can also be addressed to Re: 3001 PO BOX 11017, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46855.
“Rather than manage an unknowable ebb and flow of contributions, we encourage backers to join our pledge list,” Lynch explained. “We are planning pledge drives at the outset to meet our first critical fundraising milestones and to measure the feasibility of fundraising for such a massive project. The effort will not be able to move forward without broad and consistent donor support, which we believe we can forecast from the pledges. As much as this effort may be driven by emotion and history, it has to be driven by data and logic, too.”
In addition to the restoration shop and volunteers of the Fort Wayne Railroad, strategic partners for the effort include Norfolk Southern, FMW Solutions, Gramling Locomotive Works, Pluta Rail Options and Services, Horizon Rail, and the New York Central Historical and Technical Society. The initial acquisition effort was initiated by a mechanical inspection performed by FMW Solutions and sponsored by former Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman.
Since 1972, the Fort Wayne Railroad has worked to restore and transform historic railroad equipment into operating attractions, including most notably Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive no. 765. For over 40 years, its dedicated volunteers have exhibited vintage rail attractions throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States.
In association with the Indiana Northeastern Railroad, the organization created the Indiana Rail Experience in 2022 and now routinely operates tourist trains between Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. With growing attendance numbers and an economic impact of over 3 million dollars, the 100-mile-long route was named Indiana’s Best New Experience in 2023.
In the first half of the 20th Century, the New York Central Railroad was a celebrated way for millions of Americans to travel. During this time, the railroad carried citizens, workers, and vacationers from every walk of life aboard its great steel fleet of famous trains. For many, the Central’s name trains – such as the 20th Century Limited, Empire State Express, Mercury, and others – symbolized the effusive hope of the Art Deco era, and embodied a dedication to public good and service. This will be the first time since 1957 that one of its most recognizable icons has a clear path toward an operational restoration.
