Even though the main bearings gave us frequent fits on the T-1's ( please I pray never again to be involved with a friction bearing loco.!!!) I must say that they were great pullers and very good steamers.

When we took over the AFT at Birmingham Alabama the railroad insisted we put helpers on for the hard climb over the mountain to Huntsville. After a lot of discussion the rr finally gave in and let us go solo with the AFT 1 (2101). It was a VERY hard pull ( down to 7-9 mph for a long while, with full booster) but she did a great job and got us there in good time.

After that run the AFT Trainmaster, Ray Flores, came up to the engine and shouted up to me " now, THAT'S a steam engine!!!". He had joined the AFT staff after the 4449 had taken over the train the previous summer in Chicago and was accustomed to the Daylight always having diesel helpers on account of its high drivers. He had never witnessed a steamer down on her knees pulling for all she was worth!! After that he was a big T-1 fan!!!

But, as I said above having now had the pleasure of working with the all roller bearing 614 I hope never again to be involved with a friction bearing engine. The difference is literally like night and day!!

Ross Rowland