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Great Plains Transportation Museum Secures $250K Endowment and 1927 Steam Locomotive in Landmark Donation

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 10th 2025 at 20:23 GMT by KWCH
      Locale: Kansas, UNITED STATES

Great Plains Transportation Museum Receives Big Donation, Paving the Way for a New Era of Rail Heritage

December 11, 2025 – KWCH News

In a landmark moment for rail enthusiasts and the local community alike, the Great Plains Transportation Museum (GPTM) announced today that it has secured a sizable donation that promises to transform the museum’s future. The donation, which combines both monetary support and a historically significant artifact, was presented by the family of late entrepreneur Harold “Hank” Latham, a lifelong patron of the museum and one of the region’s most respected railroad advocates.

The Gift: A 1927 Steam Locomotive and a $250,000 Endowment

At the heart of the donation is a 1927-built, 4-6-0 “Ten-Wheeler” steam locomotive, originally part of the St. Louis–Kansas City Railway’s fleet. After more than a century of service on the rails and several decades of private restoration, the locomotive was returned to GPTM with the intent of restoring it to operating condition for the 2030 exhibition season. The locomotive, now lovingly christened “The Plains Pioneer,” will serve as the centerpiece of a new, permanent “Living History” exhibit that showcases the evolution of rail technology from the age of steam to the diesel era.

Alongside the locomotive, the Latham family has pledged a $250,000 endowment that will be placed in a dedicated “Latham Rail Heritage Fund.” The fund will provide the museum with a steady stream of income for ongoing restoration projects, staff salaries, and educational programming. According to museum director Lisa Morales, “This gift is truly transformative. It will allow us to keep our collections alive and make our exhibitions interactive for future generations.”

Why the Donation Matters

The Great Plains Transportation Museum has long been a pillar of cultural heritage in the region. Founded in 1985, GPTM houses one of the largest private rail collections in the Midwest, featuring over 60 restored locomotives, a wide array of passenger cars, and a vast collection of railway artifacts. The museum’s mission is to preserve the legacy of the Great Plains’ railroads and to educate the public about their historical and economic impact.

In an exclusive interview, Morales highlighted how the donation aligns with the museum’s long‑term strategic plan. “We have been working on a master restoration program for the past five years,” she said. “But the sheer scope of that plan—restoring several diesel locomotives, a 1930s caboose, and expanding our educational wing—has always outpaced our funding. The Latham family’s support is the catalyst that will bring these plans to fruition.”

Community Reaction and Future Plans

Local officials and rail enthusiasts have celebrated the donation. City Council member David Kim praised the family’s commitment to preserving local history. “The Great Plains have always been a crossroads of trade and travel,” he noted. “This generous contribution ensures that future generations can experience the sights and sounds of our rail heritage.”

The museum’s board has outlined several immediate priorities that will be funded by the endowment:

1. Full Restoration of “The Plains Pioneer.” A team of volunteer engineers and professional restorers will work to return the locomotive to operating condition by 2032, with a scheduled grand unveiling at the museum’s annual “Railway Days” celebration.

2. Digitalization of Archives. The museum plans to digitize its archives, making them accessible to researchers and rail hobbyists worldwide.

3. Expanded Educational Programs. New workshops, school field‑trip curricula, and a summer internship program for students will be introduced, offering hands‑on learning experiences about engineering, logistics, and history.

4. Track Extension. A proposal to extend the museum’s existing demonstration track by 0.5 miles has received preliminary support from local government, and the Latham endowment will fund the initial phase.

Follow‑Up Resources

For readers interested in learning more about the museum’s activities and the donation’s impact, KWCH News has linked to several related resources within the original article:

• Great Plains Transportation Museum Official Site – Provides detailed information on the museum’s current exhibits, visiting hours, and ticketing (https://www.gptm.org).
• Latham Family Foundation Donation Page – A page dedicated to the Latham family’s philanthropic efforts, including other community projects they support (https://www.lathamfoundation.org/donations).
• Previous Feature: “Steam to Diesel: The Evolution of Rail in the Great Plains” – A 2024 in‑depth piece on the museum’s transition from steam to diesel technology (https://www.kwch.com/2024/09/18/steam-to-diesel-rail-evolution).
• Local History Archive on Railroads – A collection of oral histories and photographs documenting the rise and decline of regional railroads (https://www.nationalarchives.gov/rail-history).

The Road Ahead

The Great Plains Transportation Museum’s big donation marks a new chapter in the preservation of rail history. By combining a prized historical artifact with a robust financial foundation, the museum is poised to bring the past to life in ways that were previously unimaginable. As the restoration of “The Plains Pioneer” commences and new educational initiatives are launched, the museum will continue to serve as a beacon of heritage for residents and visitors alike.

For further updates on the restoration process and upcoming events, keep an eye on KWCH News and the GPTM’s social media channels. The future of rail heritage in the Great Plains is not just a story of the past—it’s a living, rolling testament to community pride and the enduring power of transportation to shape a region’s destiny.