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The Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust Inc

EIN 46-4279374 · Columbia, MO

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE PRR T1 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TRUSTAN AMBITIOUS AND INSPIRING PROJECT TO REIGNITE THE GOLDEN AGE OF STEAM AND CELEBRATE AMERICAN INNOVATION. THE T1 TRUST IS MORE THAN JUST A PRESERVATION EFFORT; IT IS A BOLD MOVEMENT TO HONOR OUR RICH RAILROAD HERITAGE WHILE PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF WHATS POSSIBLE. WITH THE PASSION OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS, THE INGENUITY OF SKILLED ENGINEERS, AND THE GENEROSITY OF SUPPORTERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, WE ARE BRINGING PRR T1 NO. 5550 TO LIFE. THIS STUNNING LOCOMOTIVE, A MASTERPIECE OF ART DECO DESIGN PAIRED WITH CUTTING-EDGE 20TH-CENTURY ENGINEERING, IS SET TO BECOME THE 53RD T1 CLASS ENGINE EVER BUILT. FEATURING ITS ICONIC 4- 4-4-4 WHEEL ARRANGEMENT, 5550 PROMISES TO CAPTIVATE THE IMAGINATION OF RAIL ENTHUSIASTS AND REKINDLE THE MAGIC OF MAINLINE STEAM TRAVEL. OUR MISSION DOESNT STOP AT PRESERVING HISTORY; WE ARE MAKING HISTORY. THE PRR T1 5550 WILL NOT ONLY SERVE AS AN AWE-INSPIRING MAINLINE EXCURSION ENGINE BUT WILL ALSO

Income
$317,599
Spending
$25,587
Spent on programs
23%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $5,932 spent. THE PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD (PRR) T1 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE TRUST IS A NON-PROFIT 501C3 ORGANIZATION (EIN: 46-4279374) THAT BELIEVES IN THINKING DIFFERENTLY ABOUT PRESERVATION. THROUGH HARD WORK, DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MANY GENEROUS DONORS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, THE T1 TRUST IS CONSTRUCTING PRR T1 5550. SLATED TO BECOME THE FIFTY-THIRD LOCOMOTIVE OF ITS CLASS WHEN COMPLETE, 5550 COMBINES STUNNING ART DECO DESIGN WITH A UNIQUE 4-4-4-4 WHEEL ARRANGEMENT. THE GOAL IS SIMPLE; TO PROVIDE MAINLINE STEAM EXCURSION SERVICE, AND TO SET THE WORLD SPEED RECORD FOR A STEAM LOCOMOTIVE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.