This train was designed and built in just 9 short months by Jack Heitman himself, a retired Pratt & Whitney mechanical engineer. His dad built a train similar to this back in 1948 and called it Cannonball I. Jack's train was built in the 1990's and called Cannonball II. The cab can accomodate 4 small children. The coal car can comfortably sit 6 small children, 4 older children or 4 adults. Jack has brought happiness to many with the train doing birthday parties, business grand openings, church functions, anniversaries, you name it, he's done it. He takes it out regularly in our neighborhood just to keep "the juices flowing" through the engine. Belive it or not, the adults are just as silly as the kids when it comes to riding in the coal car.

From the age of 2 yrs. old, Jack was with his dad in his machine shop in St. Louis County, Missouri, learning the ropes. There isn't much Jack can't design, build or fix. Jack's middle name is "Jackcanfixit!" Another common expression he's been tagged with over the years is "Don't compromise, Heitmanize", meaning let Jack fix it and it will be better than brand new.