DENNISON, Ohio — A location has been chosen to bring the new-build Pennsylvania Railroad T1 No. 5550 to life.
The T1 Steam Locomotive Trust announced Friday, May 16, during the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society convention in Harrisburg, Pa., final assembly of the 4-4-4-4 will take place in Dennison. The organization has spent more than a decade chipping away at manufacturing and acquiring components for the locomotive’s construction at different points across the U.S.
“We always knew that someday, we’d need the right place to bring it all together — a place where history and the future could meet under one roof,” the T1 Trust said in its 2025 annual report. “After months of searching and a little bit of destiny, we found that place.”
Dennison fits the Trust’s desire for a location with a strong Pennsy heritage. The railroad once constructed 75 steam locomotives there during the late 1800s. Dennison was also a true railroad canteen, especially during World War II when the PRR served a million G.I.s with “homefront hospitality.” At the center of it all was a passenger depot built in 1873 that still stands as a museum, restaurant, and theater.
The depot plays into the reason for choosing Dennison as the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and T1 Trust have partnered to secure a $1.7 million USDA grant to build an adjacent locomotive and passenger car restoration facility. Remaining proceeds will go towards completing the interior firebox and boiler exterior. The new two-track, 60-by-200-foot building will be the focal point of No. 5550’s final assembly, though coach maintenance will also be provided for the museum’s excursion fleet. Bringing the boiler and frame together has been set for completion in 2026.
The frame — 64 feet long and weighing 71,000 pounds — was completed in late April by the Dover Tank & Plate Co., in Dover, Ohio. Machining and assembly of the locomotive’s cylinders are next on the docket with the “Cylinder Club” campaign so far raising over $120,000. This is now part of a new “Forge Ahead” capital campaign to not only raise $1.5 million but to keep project momentum going for the project. Some $700,000 has been raised so far.
Visit the T1 Trust website for more information or to contribute.
— Updated May 19, at 8:00 a.m. CT with correct locomotive number.
Can ANYONE please explain why the US department of AGRICULTURE is granting $1.7 million to build a locomotive and passenger car restoration facility? What does any of this have to do with agriculture?
Because USDA provides grants to support development in rural areas. If you’d bothered to Google it instead of screaming at strangers, you would’ve known that. Presumably this will employ a bunch of people in a town of under 3000 people and its surrounding communities. Glad i could help you understand.
News flash: Google is your friend.
https://www.rd.usda.gov/
MIKE, RUPPERT — What we’re finding is that Republican politicians from rural areas are as much the porkers as Democrat politicians from the cities and the suburbs.
I thought it a misprint (like 5500 instead of 5550) but it is what it is. Maybe the 5550 will burn vegetable oil?
Shame on the G&W
That was G&W’s stipulation in the sale: No excursions but ferry moves are allowed. This was back in the day when liability insurance went through the roof. My guess is the 5550 will be allowed test runs and access to the national network for moves but that’s it.
What railroad runs through Dennison? I assume that they have already agreed to allow the locomotive to be operated on their line.
G&W’s Columbus & Ohio River Railroad. They already have turned down the Age of Steam Roundhouse from running excursions.
that’s funny i thought it was the Genesse and Wyoming’s ohio central railroad that goes through dennison and i do know that the sam shortline railroad excursion trains are operated and provided by Genesse and Wyoming’s Heart of Georgia railroad
The Columbus & Ohio River was affiliated with the Ohio Central and both were sold to G&W. Good point about SAM running on another G&W road. Someone there must have made it clear that acquisition means keeping the excursions.
A sweet dream becomes pure reality… Congrats!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
WOW. Dennison Ohio is less than 2 hrs. drive for me. This location makes sense. Dennison is only a few miles from Dover Ohio, so the transportation cost for moving the frame will save plenty of their much needed cash. I hope they will give tours during the construction.
Not enough good things can be said about the erection building. 2 tracks in a 60 foot wide building will enable to have parts brough in on the other track and then the crane can set the parts by the loco on the needed side as it is being reassembled. IMO feel that this space is even better than the standard round house space
Hope that the building includes a dry pipe fire protection as loco cab, other loco parts, and any wooden cars need fire protection.
Dennison has been fighting the fine fight for railway preservation in the face of obscurity. Kudos to them for this next step. Next, find access with the host road for excursions.
Kudos all around. Once this project is completed one hopes others will be started, as there are several obvious candidates…an Atlantic, a Hudson…name your favorite.
This is, to me, an amazing organization and an amazing accomplishment. I know many have said this was an impossible dream, but with the frame completed and cylinders underway, it is getting closer to reality. I make a small donation every year, and I once asked a question about the valve gear. I received an extensive reply.