The foundation, established in 1882 and endowed by the will of Thomson, the third president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is now accepting applications for aid.

Thomson (Feb. 10, 1808 – May 27, 1874) was an American civil engineer, railroad executive and industrialist. He was president of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1852 to 1874 and oversaw the railroad’s conversion from wood to coal as a fuel for its steam locomotives.

Thomson's major projects included completing the road across the Allegheny Mountains, double tracking its main line and reorganizing the company's management structure.

After the American Civil War, Thomson led the PRR on an unprecedented expansion program, controlling over 6,000 miles (9,656 km) of railroad by 1873. Thomson also invested in transcontinental railroad lines, coal companies, iron and steel works, lumber operations, and land companies.

The deceased parent must have been in the active employ of any railroad in the United States at the time of death, although the cause need not be work related.

Eligibility is dependent upon the daughter and surviving parent remaining unmarried.

The monthly allowance made under the grant may cover the period from infancy to age 18; under certain circumstances to age 22 to assist grantees who are pursuing higher education goals.

The foundation also offers special health-care benefits.

For further information contact Sheila Cohen, Thomson Foundation, 201 S. Eighteenth St., Ste. 318, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone (215) 545-6083 or (800) 888-1278 toll free. E-mail: sjethomson@aol.com.