Elkhart's historic Mohawk steam engine to be restored

ELKHART, Ind. -- The City of Elkhart Railroad Museum held a press conference Wednesday morning and announced that the historic Mohawk engine that has sat on site for over 35 years is set to be fully restored and returned to service.

Museum officials said that, in partnership with the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, the National New York Central Railroad Museum and The City of Elkhart, the Mohawk will be restored to "ensure its longevity and preserve its historical significance."

The Museum says there are only two of these engines left in existence around the country

The National New York Central Railroad Museum has been the caretaker of a Mohawk engine for many years, and it is planned for the Mohawk to travel to the Fort Wayne area will it return to hauling passenger regularly.

"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."

The cost of the project is expected to be around $4.3 million to bring the historic engine back to life.

The target date for the locomotive, which was built in 1940, to be moved is May of 2025.

It arrived in Elkhart in October of 1940 and served passengers for 17 years before being retired to Texas in 1957.

In 1987 the Lakeshore Historical Society brought the locomotive back to Elkhart where it has sat on display ever since.

If you would like to contribute to the project you can do so at the American Locomotive website.