J.T.'s Locomotive Dream Comes True

Sept. 26, 2008— -- "Good Morning America" first met John Thomas Robertson in Niagara Falls, N.Y., while on the "Whistle-Stop '08 Tour" last week.

At only 12 years old, J.T. saved money from recycled cans and bottles to buy tickets for those who could not afford to take a ride on his favorite local attraction, the Arcade and Attica steam train in Arcade, N.Y.

"It really takes people away from the regular stresses of life and lets them remember what it's like to have fun," J.T. told "GMA."

But J.T. was devastated to learn that there were handicapped children that could not ride the train he loved so much. The trains are almost 100 years old and are not designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

So J.T. made it his mission to retrofit the train for handicap access. To transform J.T.'s dream into a reality, "GMA" introduced him to Ty Penington, host of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

From there, the volunteers poured in to help give the train widened passages, special boarding mechanisms and quite a face lift. After two days of work, the transformation was complete.

When J.T. saw what had been done, he was overwhelmed with emotion.

"I am extremely happy for the railroad," J.T. said through tears. "But not just for the railroad, but for all the kids that will be able to ride now."

The wheelchairs were settled on a rubber mat and then strapped in so they would not move when the train chugs along.

Then the Arcade and Attica took off for another glorious trip with songs and celebration, now with access to all.