PRR T1 Build Update

ted101 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:24 pm **Posts:** 79

Just logged into to facebook this evening after a month off (I would recommend it to anyone, I couldn't take all the political BS) and saw the updates of the PRR T1 that is being built. It looks like lots of progress. Can anyone update me on any other new news or something I might have missed?

From what I can tell, it looks like they are building the Prow, Cab, more wheels and finishing engineering on the frame. Sounds like the frame might be starting soon. Can't wait to see that take place. It looks like they also have a LEGO version of the engine as well, great for the next generation.

Here is a photo from their facebook page. Search T1 Trust on Facebook. -Ted

1361prr · **Joined:** Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:42 pm **Posts:** 34

Anybody want to buy a nice bridge, too? And btw, think "Flying Yankee".

cood101 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2011 1:18 am **Posts:** 198

1361prr wrote:

Anybody want to buy a nice bridge, too? And btw, think "Flying Yankee".

This still seems like a very real possibility. Give it time as always. Rome wasn't built in a Day. It seems the money is being appropriated better than that of your username as well.

Nova55 · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pm **Posts:** 597

These guys have done more in the last 18 months, then some "restoration" or "preservation" projects have, in 18 years.

sbhunterca · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:58 am **Posts:** 728

With the huge amount of records collection and engineering work done so far, and some fabrication, I am rooting for them, and am definitely cautiously optimistic that these guys will eventually achieve their goal.

They've already done more work than many restoration attempts ever do, and no artifacts will be harmed in the process.

Steve Hunter

co614 · **Posted:** Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:55 am

Seems to me that they are being very methodical and have a well thought out business plan. Sure there's a very long way still to go before they achieve a fully built replica ready for mainline service, but as the old saying goes....even the longest journey starts with the first step.

And, unlike the disasterous 1361 boondoggle the PRR T1 group is using all private sector funds vs. taxpayer monies as was the case with the 1361.

I wish them every success and hope I live to see her run.

Ross Rowland

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:49 pm

I would NEVER kick any effort to restore or replicate any locomotive. It is the most demanding work you can imagine. Just seeing the characteristic cowling of a T1's nose says something about determination and progress. They deserve our praise and support, if not financially, then with encouragement.
The same with 1361.
The same for the 470, 624, 614, 2100, 2102, and anyone who puts it on the line to restore these magnificent machines.

ted101 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:24 pm **Posts:** 79

Just got an email that the T1 Trust Newsletter for the Spring was posted. Lots of parts being made. Pretty cool to watch this process take place here on US soil.

Here is a link, I hope it works https://prrt1steamlocomotivetrust.org/store/newsletter.php?id=13

Scranton Yard · **Joined:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:08 am **Posts:** 731

A very interesting link. This is a project that has a very specific goal, appears to have formulated a workable plan to reach that goal, and is now methodically working to execute the plan. I have not looked at the website in a while but, when I did, one question arose.

The common refrain with many of these projects is, "But, where will it run?" The T1 group site has a post dated 3-26-15 in which they announce that they have, "three letters of invitation to operate on various railroad lines around the country", one of which is from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA.

Back when the wisps of coal-fired mainline steam from NKP 765 were fading from the Lackawanna Valley, there were a couple of related threads discussing motive power at the National Park Service site in Scranton. In one of these, "NKP 759 History (includes the "freeze") for Record", Park Service Preservation Specialist Bruce Mowbray put forth seven observations regarding the operation of NKP 759 in Scranton. Several of these factors were facility-related limitations on 759 . I have reprinted these below as well as provided a link to the original thread.

Comparing the design of the T1 and the Berk, which of these factors limiting the operation of 759 out of Scranton would similarly limit the operation of the T1 and, which of these factors would be negated or minimized by T1 design characteristics?

Quote:

Some observations, (and maybe some good eye opening information)

759: Too large for what Steamtown does.
1) It barely fits in the roundhouse. It takes a very skilled engineer to put the stack under the smoke jack while keeping the headlight 1 foot away from the balcony. The turntable railing is still an issue.
2) Coaling requires the locomotive to negotiate some very sharp curves to get to the coal dock. Having been involved with bringing the 759 over to the shop for asbestos abatement, it was a lot of work for 4 guys to walk and an extremely slow move with rails screaming the whole way to get the locomotive to the shop tracks just once. I was surprised it didn't roll a rail over during the move.
3) Where will this restoration be done? The shop is big, but with 2 other locomotives and one switcher almost finished, there will be little room to take apart the 759 and properly lay out her components for restoration.
4) Who will restore the locomotive? There are currently 3 mechanics (one currently on furlough) and one welder working on steam locomotives. 3 more are working on the diesel. 2 older volunteers come in regularly to help out. A few of these mechanics also maintain the passenger cars and are sometimes called out for train service. Only 3 of the mechanics in the shop are actually interested in trains. For comparison: According to the 765 web page, there are 70 - 100 volunteers that maintain the 765 and perform work over the winter non operating months.
5) Where will the locomotive operate? Yes the Pocono mountains were the home of some large steam locomotives back in the day. However, they hauled trains that were much much longer than the 6 car excursion trains that Steamtown normally runs. For those of you that have taken a train handling air brake class, it would required at least a 12 car train of Steamtown coaches in good condition (no en-route failures) to provide enough braking (remember tons per operative brake?) effect to properly bring the train and the 220 ton locomotive safely down the steep DL&W grades over the Poconos. (keep in mind the number of mechanics that perform coach work)
6) Track in general. The Pocono mainline is good for 25-30 MPH. Anything over that and you are braking the max speed limit on the railroad. To quote a visiting engineer, "This is one beat up railroad". To operate the 759 over this railroad at 30 mph (Top speed with lots of speed restriction as the norm) with less than good quality track, the maintenance requirements would seriously escalate to a level that would outweigh the revenue made by the trip.
7) Turning it around. Currently, the only place to turn the locomotive is at the Portland wye or at Steamtown (turntable or wye). With NS use at the Portland wye down to a minimum, track maintenance there is also at a minimum. A trip around the wye on a Berkshire is a not for the light hearted. Steep grades on the wye make for an interesting trip in a large locomotive.

These are my personal observations and thoughts. Not those of my employer. I do hope this sheds some light on the subject.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30001&hilit=mowbray&start=60

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:44 am

Well, that invitation to run at Scranton is an invitation, but as usual, there will have to be a lot of details worked out. It may not come about.

Having said that, keep in mind Steamtown has hosted bigger engines before, including a 4-8-4. It's likely such a visit would be of relatively limited duration; I don't think the T1 would wind up living there!

Of course, if you are speaking proper home territory, that would have to be somewhere along the Pennsylvania's main line.

Oh my, oh my, can you imagine that monster on the Strasburg?

ted101 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:24 pm **Posts:** 79

Just saw an update the cab is done. The parts keep getting bigger. I read they plan on frame construction starting later this year and taking 2 years to complete.

https://prrt1steamlocomotivetrust.org/news.php

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sun Jul 16, 2017 8:59 pm

Just outstanding. The sheet metal is fairly straight forward, but the boiler and running gear will be something a bit more complex. Still, I would love to see a full-size T-1 in service. Delighted with the report.

Randy Musselman · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:56 pm

Hello,

Getting the cab finished, driver centers, etc. certainly gives visibility to the marketing efforts. It will be interesting to see the strategy to develop the bed frame. If they consider a fabricated/welded frame, it will be quite the undertaking.

Speed records are a side venture but with the recent proof test of the Tornado at 100 mph can prove a new build can sustain demanding UK network passenger schedules, especially when an extensive infrastructure no longer exists to mass produce or maintain these.

Again, the Timken roller bearing connecting rod is one of the most beautiful pieces of machine work I have ever seen.....it would impress as an early piece also.

Very interesting.

Randy Musselman

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:12 pm

That's nice, but if I was going to recreate something from scratch like that, it would be a fleet of open-window coaches suitable for pulling behind a mainline steamer with current regulations. At the end of the day, this project is just Yet Another Restored Steamer sitting in the roundhouse burning boiler time while it optimistically waits for all the *other* scarce resources to come available so a passenger excursion can happen.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Tue Jul 18, 2017 8:38 pm

robertmacdowell wrote:

That's nice, but if I was going to recreate something from scratch like that, it would be a fleet of open-window coaches suitable for pulling behind a mainline steamer with current regulations. At the end of the day, this project is just Yet Another Restored Steamer sitting in the roundhouse burning boiler time while it optimistically waits for all the *other* scarce resources to come available so a passenger excursion can happen.

It is a big world and there is a lot of money out there. You can build your fleet of passenger cars and the T1 Trust can build their locomotive. The existence of one project does not prohibit the existence of others.