Press Release

April 29, 2009 – Groveport, Ohio
The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, Inc. is excited to publicly announce its new website dedicated to the preservation of steam locomotives and vintage railroad equipment. We are also very pleased to announce we have entered into an agreement to take on St. Louis – San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotive #1352 as our first large project. Hopefully this will be the first in a long line of exciting plans for our fledgling organization.


Additionally, we’re happy to announce that we are an official sponsor of TrainFestival 2009 in Owosso, Michigan. Taking place July 24 – 26, 2009, TrainFestival 2009 will be America’s largest celebration of railroading, with attractions for the entire family. The event will feature 8 operating steam locomotives, model trains, railroad art, vendors and more!

The American Steam Railroad will kick off its first annual membership drive at TrainFestival 2009. Anyone who signs up for a monthly membership ($13.52/mo) or annual one-time payment membership during TrainFestival 2009 will receive a free 1352 hat and number pin as our thanks for supporting this project. Remember that since ASR is a 501c3 non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductable.

This is our invitation to train enthusiasts, corporations, and the general public to join us on this journey. Our group of railroaders and business professionals has spent the better part of three years preparing to launch this project, and we sincerely hope that you'll come along for the ride.

Though we are in difficult economic times, we assure you that any donation, regardless of size, will be greatly valued and appreciated. It is our organization’s hope to accomplish the restoration of locomotive #1352 without the use of public grant money to avoid burdening America’s taxpayers.

Our plan, when restoration is complete, to utilize the locomotive as a rolling educational tool, to teach what life was like when steam ruled the rails. Built in 1912 by the American Locomotive works, this fine locomotive will steam again with your help. As restoration commences, we also plan to put out the appeal for those interested in helping at our shop in Eastern Ohio. More information on a volunteer program will be passed along as plans are finalized. We realize that this will be a large undertaking, but together we can make it happen!

Much more information about both our organization and the locomotive is available at our website, http://www.americansteamrailroad.org .
We hope you’ll join us on our mission to continue “Preserving America’s Railway Heritage.”

Best Regards:
Steven M Harvey
Current Chairman and CEO
American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, Inc
web: http://www.americansteamrailroad.org

Want to wish Steve Harvey and his team the best of good fortune with their new venture. Lord knows the steam preservation field can use all the "doers" it can find and I sure hope they succeed in bringing that fine 2-8-2 back to life. Seems to me we're clearly over populated with Monday morning "experts" and under populated with folks who actually get something accomplished.

I'm sending in my modest contribution and hope that any of you who can will also consider helping.

Ross Rowland

Thanks for posting the press release and sharing information. It's exciting to learn about a new organization dedicated to steam. I've read your post, the website, and the brochure and have a couple of questions.

Does ASR actually own the 1352 at this point in time?

Does ASR own the shop facility?

Do you have a budget for her total restoration?

Do you plan on taking on other projects before she is finished?

No...One project at time all the way to completion. Seen to many projects that get started and never get finished.

Steven H.

Thank-you Ross for your support. As I have been telling the general public when they ask for only 10.00 dollars or the cost of 2 Starbucks Drinks or 2 value meals at a fast food place they can help bring back a piece of American History. Lets face it I spent at lunch today 10.00 dollars with the tip a local sit down place and I didn't think much about it.

Put it another way is to get 75,000 people to donate the 10.00 dollars or I might guess that would be 3/4 of the subscribers of Trains magazine or only less then 1% of the population of the State of Ohio which is 10 million and it will bring another locomotive up to running condition.

I know folks are concerned but look if the Brits can get people to donate on a pint of beer donation for there A-1 why not take what they didn't and apply it here and just turn into give up your fast food for 1 meal and donate to the 1352 rebuild fund. I also realize in this rocky economy people are very concerned about what and where they spend but this is a good cause and lets keep steam alive for all to see.

Best Regards,
Steven M Harvey

May I respectfully point out:
The British A1 Project didn't ask for people to contribute the price of a pint. They asked them to contribute the price of a pint EACH WEEK. The standard British pint at the time was about one pound fifty, or about $3 at the time. By now it's about $6 adjusted for inflation and currency changes.

This is the difference between "care to contribute to maybe seeing a new loco run?" and "Can you commit yourself to helping us make this happen with your long-term support?" Or think of your typical PBS or NPR pledge drive.

good luck fellow Buckeye! do you have any idea when you'll have the locomotive on your properity?