Al Hess

Al Hess and his father began asking Butte chief executives about 10 years ago to see if there was a way BSB could take steps to cover and restore this historic structure. Al's family had personal ties to this Engine as his father was an engineer for Northern pacific in the Mid 1950s and knocked the last fire out of Engine 25 before its retirement from service at NP Railroad to make room for the new era of diesel locomotives. Al's father Glen Hess purchased a steam engine bell 20 years ago, to replace the bell that had been stolen from E25 after its placement near the Butte Civic Center in 1958. After Glens passing his son Al has carried on his dream to cover and restore this steam engine.

Al Hess and Engine 25

Donors and Commitments

Hawe Steel has taken on the design and blueprints for the steel roof system and iron fence design to match the era of the steam engines. Northwestern Energy's Director of Advertising and Creative Services has agreed to help promote and advertise. Ron Davis from our local radio stations has offered his help. Town Pump has been involved as this Icon has been in the background of their first Gas station in Montana and still sits next to one of the oldest Town Pump gas station locations in Butte. Butte Parks and trails has assisted the group by agreeing to help with their 501c3 status and help manage the groups' monies. Butte Chief executive JP Gallagher has attended many meetings, he's given a letter of approval and assisted in the group's first monies toward the project. Bill Melvin, Director of the Butte Civic Center, has offered his help in landscaping the finishing area around the new enclosure and offered space in the Lobby of the Civic center to help promote and display the bell that will eventually be placed a-top Engine 25.

Engine 25 Dressed in Snow

Join the Cause

It's possible to donate by using the button below, or send a check to:

Butte Community Federal Credit Union
c/o The Engine 25 Restoration Project
2901 Grand Ave, Butte MT 59701

Engine 25 Logo

Current Businesses and Donors Offering Assistance

Your support can make a real difference to the Engine 25 Project! By donating, you are helping us bring back a piece of true Butte history. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to our goal. Please donate on the Butte Parks and Trails Foundation website by writing "The Engine 25 Restoration Project" in the comment box.

Water and Environmental Technology logo
Water and Environmental Technology logo
Butte Glass logo

Jim Thomason, Artist

Montana State Prison, Carpentry Division

Laser Solutions of Butte

Highlands College logo

Hawe Steel

Northwestern Energy logo
Town Pump logo
Butte Parks and Trails Foundation logo
Butte-Silver Bow logo

Resources and Articles

Below you'll find more intersting articles and stories about the history of Engine 25.

Full Steam Ahead: Effort Underway to Restore Butte's Historic Engine 25 An Article from the Butte Weekly, February 12, 2025
Engine 25 Letter of Support A Letter from the Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive J.P. Gallager, January 1, 2025
Great Engine Rots Away An Article from the Montana Standard, October 22, 2019
Architectural Drawings for a Canopy to Protect Engine 25 Courtesy of Hawe Steel, June 28, 2024
Engine 25 Site Plan Courtesy of Water and Environmental Technologies, July 26, 2024