That's gonna be FINISHED!!! See ya in 2030 guys!

Welding modular container frames for a semi trailer manufacturer in Stoughton, WI, I was welding at 34-36V @340A burning 360-400 IPM of .035" wire. My wire came from a barrel, not off of a spool and would last about a week between 2 shifts, totaling 18 hours a day for a 88 hour work week average. I welded at every station on the container line at the Evansville plant, from making parts, assembling frames, and operating the robotic welding operations for headers and door posts. I started in lift posts, lower frames, lift frames, 5th wheel plates, lower door frames, door frames, front frames, corner posts, lower front frames, lift skids, and then finally the robot. I was the only worker to have worked every station and had never had rework. I was missed for performance reviews twice, because I transferred from plant 6 to 8 and was transferred from assembly to welding departments. And as soon as the company needed to reduce its workforce, I was laid off. Why, you ask? Because I didn't fear the bosses and wouldn't kiss their behinds. I did my job as quick as I could, I did it as best as I could, cleaned up my area, and went home. I didn't screw around and I didn't help others do their job, as my boss would have liked. Why not? If a person couldn't do his job in the time given, then he either needed to be put on an easier job or they needed a second person on that job. Taking someone who does their job faster, because they put that much effort into doing it, then making them help another person afterwards is not right. If I had done my job a little slower, then I wouldn't have been available to help anyway. I saved the company 8 hours of pay a week because I worked harder. The two guys that worked the door frame assembly would finish early every night, then sit on their bench and wait until 15 minutes before the end of shift, clean up and punch out, every night. Why weren't they ever asked or told to help anyone? I was making at least 50 cents an hour less than anyone else in my area, but worked harder. When I worked on the robot, my partner and I would finish our jobs and make up parts for the day shift and leave them enough parts for their whole shift, and still punch out 2 hours early. The day shift would only leave enough parts for the first 2 hours of 2nd shift. We were building 10-15 units on 2nd shift (10 hours), to 1st shifts 8 in 8 hours. The plant manager had it in for me. He was my foreman when I started in assembly. We completed the last order of containers and I was sent down to the finishing end, then to another area to build air brakes. When he wanted me back on the line, he lost the battle to the lead guy in my area, even though he was a supervisor at the time. Then, within 6 months of my hire, he was promoted to 2nd shift plant manager (major brown nose) and I went to welded school and transferred to plant 8. About a year later, he came to my location as the new plant manager, and I knew things were going to go bad. As soon as they announced last offs, I knew I was out of a job. The drug tested me (randomly) for the first time since being hired 3 years earlier, then sent me back to the line. I didn't complain since I kept my higher pay as a welder, compared to the much lower pay for assembly. They kept me there for 4 months, brought me back to my old job for 2 nights and gave me my pink notice. As a side note, I worked with a guy who was caught tailgating in the parking lot, who was later promoted to foreman. That place lives on turn over, but appears to turn those that work hard and produce high quality, promote those that can't, and reward ass kissers. I've never kissed ass for a job, which is why I've been through several jobs. I don't party, watch sports, or participate in after work activities (bar) with people I work. I do my job and go home to my family. No regrets!

We very well might have a fully custom built T1 steam engine before we have GTA 6

In these times, many railroads tried coming up with a rival for the Union Pacific Big Boy and Challenger

I want this whistle as an audio file for trainz

Hey 5550 maybe reach out to azl and get a z gauge T1 made like what they did when union Pacific restored the big boy. Maybe work with them to get some of the revenue go to the project. Now that suggestion was selfish for me. I really want a z gauge T1. But the ideas there maybe reaching out to other model train manufacturers to have a 5550 model in other scales to help found raise.

If azl made a big boy model when union Pacific restored there engine I hope they make a t1

is everyone excited to se T1 5550.

As a fan of the Pennsylvania Railroad, I approve this

why this look SO REAL TOO ME!!!

It CAN be done? Screw that. It WILL be done!!! See you in the 2030's 5550.

Would be better without the wobblycam. Anyone stabilized it? And replaced the terrible audio?

I swear this exact same whistle was on one of Cass Scenic Railroad's Shays. Unless there's another of the same type of whistle floating around someplace in the wild

Awesome video. Very informative and I wish this project the best for continued progress and success! I recently read that The T1 Trust has a letter of interest from the Steam Railroading Institute to host 5550 when she's up and running, and I was wondering if there is a chance that the Institute could be a future open house venue or if they could host fundraiser trips with Pere Marquette 1225. It would be a good preliminary collaboration, in my opinion, a good way to get people aquainted with the tracks that 5550 will run on if Steam Railroading Institute is still a willing host in a few years, and also nice to see the 1225 running public/railfan-oriented excursions outside of Polar Express season

Make her the fastest. (Since 005 was robbed)

Was born long after the end of steam. But goddamn, this absolute unit has been my favorite since I was young boy. Glad to know that it'll be completed in 2030. I'm waiting.

I hope the next video is breaking open the mold.

When the project is finished, is there any chance the T1 will visit Arizona or the American southwest? I know this is a northeastern locomotive, but it would be nice to see it be an ambassador for the Pennsy in other regions.

A gorgeous locomotive, so much money and effort has been invested, I love watching how the locomotive is created. Greetings from Russia.

What a great project! Hope I live to see the new T-1 under steam!

whats the locomotive at 1:05?

I wonder if this company could also make a new frame for a GG1, because that is one of the things that has been stalling any restoration attempts

once the frame is completed basically 75% of the engine will be done i think they will complete before 2030

Location??

With the exception of the most recently recreated British steam locomotives, I always believed steam locomotive beds were case instead of being made of assembled plates to better withstand repeated stresses. And I always assumed it would be impossible to cast an engine bed the size and complexity of a T1 owing to the fact no foundry today would be capable of undertaking it. I sincerely hope a welded frame bed assembly holds up under extreme operating stresses. Further note, nothing was mentioned in regards to the four steam chests which most certainly would have to be cast pieces bolted together. Anyway I wish you guys the best of luck completing this major undertaking.

I thought locomotive beds were casted pieces of metal.

OH MY GOD GUYS ITS HAPPENING!!!!

Sounds like Texas State Railroad 400

just gotta do that 7 more times

this is impressive, after the T-1 is done, someone should rebuild a Hudson or Niagra, should be easy after this

Pls don't go for the world speed record for 2 very good reasons. 1. Some records are not made to be broken but to stand as mighty achievement. 2. Mallard broke its bearings and had to be repaired, and the time and effort you guys have put into your loco, you don't want it broken or totalled on some run because you decide to speed. What I'm saying is this "nice locomotive, but don't overestimate it's ability.

The first paycheck of my first job will go towards the T1 Trust! As someone who is only 16 years old and inspires to be a Welder or be in the trades one day, steam locomotives have been part of my life for as long as i can remember, and seeing the work done on them intrigues me deeply. From Thomas the Tank Engine, to Laona and Northern 2-6-2 number 4, to a railfan who is about to see their first mainline steam locomotive (Canadian Pacific 2816) steam has never left my blood, and when it bit, it bit hard. The amount of history, community, interest, passion, talebt, and showmanship that these things produce is timeless, and unending. And i just want to give a huge thank you to all of the workers, volunteers, and supporters of the T1 Trust who are making this incredible work of art ready to rule the rails, because without you, the project would be nothing but a pipe dream! Together, we can one day all hear the lonesome 3 chime echo throughout the valley, feel the force of almost 1 million pounds come past us at 100 mph, and hear the monsterous stack talk working upgrade again as steam once was on the rails of our country!

That animation at the start of the video has to be one of the most realistic-looking animations I've ever seen.

I would have preferred a J3A Hudson.

I hated sub arc. Boring as hell and in the winter it doesnt even really keep you warm. A great job for apprentices. I had to run sub arc too many times while I was still working in the trade using that same Lincoln feeder. It does put down a lot of weld if you are dealing with heavy plate.

I am very excited to witness 5550 myself

YESSIR!!! IT CAN BE DONE!!! ❤🚂

This is an amazing organization. I try to make contributions three times a year. While I can only give $50.00 at a time, I would like to encourage more folks to make a contribution of whatever amount they can. Even $5.00 of $10.00 can really help. Without our contributions, this work cannot happen. If we can get more people to contribute, it can happen more quickly.

I cannot wait to see this thing I wanted to see it for years and now I finally get to see how much progress has been done on it. I can't wait to be on the first Excursion behind it

Ok

Lawless is by far the coolest surname I've ever heard of!

Are you going to have the frame stress relieved?

I appreciate the video and how you are sharing the details of the welding process, but it is difficult to listen to the commentary with the music. Please don't play music when people are speaking in your videos.

Why don’t you guys use an arc welder ?interesting is the boiler out of t-1 steel or hard ox

Wow! Moving right along and full steam ahead I may even see this running before helping Jesus in his great roundhouse in the sky. Glad I could do a monthly automatic donation for the T-1 TRUST .

Nice to see the pile of plate parts going together, the welds should be great quality with this proces.

Got my invitation but I’m going to be away in Texas during the event. I hope it’s successful.

I guess the ability to cast the frame, cylinders and steam pipes in one piece, in steel has long gone.

You might as well make two or three of them at this rate!

Was the original a casting? I've seen blueprints for the cast frames of the UP 4000 class and those things were ridonculous.