PRR T1 Guys finish their Wheel Pattern

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

Just got the Fall Newsletter in email. They show how they created the BOXPOK wheel pattern from the original PRR Drawings. Now off to foundry.

https://prrt1steamlocomotivetrust.org/store/newsletter.php?id=7

Finderskeepers · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 2:48 pm

Like another group that is returning a modern passenger engine to service, these guys appear to be on the right track...pictures and information, updates and observations. You send them money and they show you tangible results from it. I shall have to put them on my Christmas list.

davew833 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 27, 2015 4:04 pm

I snickered when the ATSF 2926 folks started by restoring the tender. I figured that was as far as they'd get. Now they're almost done with the engine. There's nothing wrong with starting with something smaller and more manageable, as the T1 group is showing.

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

Just to put "wishful thinking" projects into perspective, I gave 2 x $5k to the "Flying Yankee" restoration project about ten years ago. One car was cosmetically restored, some engineering studies were done on the power unit, then.....nothing. As of now, they have gone completely into hiding; no website, a phone answering message that does not get a reply. Rose-colored glasses do not justify projects of this nature; solid research and knowledgeable, intelligent leadership is what it takes, and this project has neither. If you have money to burn, (and I didn't) then go ahead and contribute to this nonsense, but be sure you can get a tax-loss deduction!

co614 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 28, 2015 10:19 am

\
Seems to me that this group has been very honest in their appraisals of the task ahead of them and have so far succeeded in reaching the small incremental steps they've laid out as their chosen path towards eventually building a " new" PRR T-1.

The other end of the spectrum would be the ill fated 1361 project "managed" by 2 individuals in Altoona with just enough knowledge to be deadly. Bottom line is they burned through nearly $ 3.0 Million ( yes,million) dollars in tax payer funds and ended up with the locomotive in a thousand pieces. Oh yes and it cost Rep. Rick Geist his seat in the legislature as he was the principle fund raiser. He chose to ignore numerous warnings and thus deserved his fate.

The PRR T-1 project may well never get the locomotive built...but at least they're presenting the facts in an honest manner.

IMHO-Ross Rowland

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

this is an interesting test to see how to build a steamer today.

TimReynolds · **Joined:** Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:11 pm **Posts:** 287

Reproducing a wheel or a whole locomotive benefits preservation. The preservation community at large will benefit from what gets learned about building yesterday's stuff with today's tools. Also this project is demonstrating just how much is involved (capital and expertise) to do this preservation stuff.

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

Each time they put an announcement out, I am more confident of the project getting to completion. They have a good team of experienced steam industry guys on the project and even the boys at Strasburg did some machining for them. The NS steam guys are also making parts for them.

I believe I read somewhere that in the first 2 years, they have already raised $250,000+ in donations and inkind contributions. I will have to try and find where I saw that and post it here.

Most of their time has been spent obtaining drawing and engineering. It appears they are only just now starting construction. I find it fascinating to watch, they have been very transparent. I wish my pockets were a little deeper to help contribute. I look for the project to only pick up momentum over the next 3-5 years.

Ted

Mark Z. Yerkes · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:47 pm **Posts:** 486

Because of its size alone, the "Where will it run?" question continues to run through my mind. But I wish them the best of luck in any case. Their efforts may open the door to more new steam locomotives being built from scratch in this country.

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

where it could run is no differrent than where 765 can run, which should be almost anywhere.
It may be a lighter engine on the wheels at least and be better balanced for rail pounding.

You could try to work in some improved fuel burning capabilities where the ACE project left off...

as12 · **Joined:** Sun Jan 25, 2015 11:24 pm **Posts:** 115

Direct from the T1 Trust's web site:

Quote:

3-26-15
5550 Has Rails To Run On

The question most asked to the T1 Trust is, "Where will it run when complete?". We are pleased to announce that the Trust has received three letters of invitation to operate on various railroad lines around the country. We have received formal letters from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, PA, the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, MI and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Independence, OH. All three organizations have a long track record of handling mainline steam locomotives and can easily support the T1 locomotive operation when complete.

J3a-614 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:40 pm

Some other pix of the wheel pattern from the T1 Facebook site:

https://www.facebook.com/t1locomotive/p ... =3&theater

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56CC81B1

https://www.facebook.com/t1locomotive/p ... =3&theater

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56B67AF2

https://www.facebook.com/t1locomotive/p ... =3&theater

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56FA40B5

Preparation for shipping:

https://www.facebook.com/t1locomotive/p ... =3&theater

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56AFCD97

https://www.facebook.com/t1locomotive/p ... =3&theater

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=56D02157

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2606

Things I've said in the last 10 years:

611 will never run again.

There is ZERO chance of a BigBoy running again.

There will never be a true Mallet running East of the MIssissippi.

Steam will never run on Horseshoe curve again.

Superpower steam will never run on the ex-Lehigh Valley again.

So, let me me say this as clearly as I can:

This project is a pipedream, it has no chance of succeeding.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Mon Nov 02, 2015 10:27 am

We have become such an instant gratification society. Many people think that if a T1 is not in steam by this time next year that it isn't worth the effort. This thing may take 20 years, 30 years or even longer to complete. But as long as progress is being made and there are those who keep the dream alive it may someday happen.

There is a lot of money out there that currently funds ridiculous BS, especially in the field of art. There is plenty of room for a T1 project in the grand scheme of things.

buzz_morris · **Joined:** Thu Feb 03, 2005 9:32 pm **Posts:** 344

It sounds like the pattern shop was knowledgeable enough. Wonder why they used Pine, and not even clear Pine at that.
For $20K why not Walnut or at least clear Poplar.