Exciting updates to a long-term restoration - Pennsy K4

[@MattsScaleModels]

As a grizzled 53yo Aussie railfan, it does my heart good to see that the future of rail preservation is in good hands with you folks. As a teenage fan in the 80s, rail preservation was a different world, back then the fans who’d started it all 25 years earlier were getting old and grouchy, and getting involved often meant “push a broom and shut up unless you’re spoken to.” Now I look at my own generation who’ve been involved for 35+ years and see more encouragement, and you folks who’ve been doing it for a 15+ years, and see that the future looks good. I’m halfway between Australia’s two largest cities, so I’m not involved in hands-on operational preservation, but I volunteer at the local railway museum, which takes up half of the 1947-built 42-bay Junee Roundhouse, and it’s great fun. Thanks, folks.

[@Hyce777]

Glad you get to help out somewhere mate - preserving it all is important. I'm just a 10+ year guy myself. :)

[@MattsScaleModels]

@@Hyce777 Cheers mate, it’s nice to be a small part of the scene. And I do enjoy how humour is a big part of preservation these days. You’ve gotta laugh, safely of course! Another thing that’s changed for the better is those of us who are neurospicy have a welcome place in the scene today. It’s one of the few ADHD-manageable hobbies out there!

[@HighballMachineWorks]

Guess I have to work on getting a job and my drivers license, I’m about half an hour away from the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum (the Indiana museum with the cute standard gauge forney) and I have desperately wanted to volunteer there since I turned 18 this past July. I already have an OSHA certification from my junior year of high school, so hopefully that’s a good bounce point.

[@trainman9024]

Yeah I’ve in Victoria and I got given the chance to become a guard and DA and now I’m getting into steam now as well I’m in my early twenties and I’ve heard to many stories of people my age being pushed aside and not given a chance to have a go and I’m thankful for for the previous president of the railway for letting me have that chance (he passed away a couple of months ago) but it’s good to see the next generation getting taught the skills and the labour from the previous generation to keep the railways alive

[@CollinBlack-j1y]

G'day from Newcastle NSW Australia and I'm 52 yrs old. It's funny that I live on the north side of Sydney NSW and your from Junee the other side of Sydney on a American KZbin site about train's. I fully agree with everything you said. My teenage railway nickname was Goffa, go for this this or go for that. Best of luck with 1361. Same type of restoration of 5711. Tender fully restored to running condition, only the loco is left to be restored.

[@KPen3750]

The fact that this engine has been in overhaul purgatory for decades, the fact its getting much more traction and progress warms any Pennsylvanians heart, including my own

[@Hyce777]

I'm so excited to see it out of that very purgatory and now more than ever they've been moving to make it happen.

[@trainmaster90productions]

​@@Hyce777 me too last time I was down there there making great progress on her return to steam

[@MarkLac]

That engine’s restoration has been a punching bag for decades and honestly I hope the agony for them finally ends. What turned this around was the overhaul of management top to bottom, advisers and the entire organization putting forward a sound plan with realistic goals. They did their homework to inspect and investigate what had to be done to the locomotive, What needed to be fixed, which part of the project was reasonably financially in the scope of actually getting done first, etc. after many years, the organization is on the right track and taking the necessary steps to getting the restoration done correctly and ensuring this restoration is complete and does not falter.

[@reubensandwich9249]

​@@MarkLacThe whole thing was poorly managed from the 1st attempt until this latest one. I do have confidence in the current attempt, I'm not as enthusiatic due to the 30 to 40 years of progress turned out to be a dumpster fire.

[@MarkLac]

@@reubensandwich9249 Yes. That is why the latest management is on the right tracks to pulling it off.

[@trainbro-sc9ir]

It would be cool to see the Pennsy K4 and the T1 together, hope that happens.

[@PowerTrain611]

@@trainbro-sc9ir it will definitely happen before too long. Fmw solutions is involved with both of those locomotive projects, and those guys are rock stars. It would take something so big it would be unheard of to make either of these projects not happen at this point, they've come so far with the T1 and 1361 is moving right along too. I'm not going to lie to you, I didn't think the T1 was going to happen at first. I can't believe how far they've come in only a few years.

[@timrankin8737]

To see a T 1. Run today. That would be something.

[@PowerTrain611]

@@timrankin8737 You mean that WILL be something. It will happen before you know it!

[@gamerfan8445]

Also there a G5 being restored to operations as well.

[@PowerTrain611]

@@gamerfan8445 Yeah I haven't heard a single word on the LIRR 39 in several years, if that's the one you mean. I think it might have lost traction. The other LIRR G5 at Oyster Bay is only being restored cosmetically, so don't get too excited.

[@alexanderbeck5063]

Love seeing an update on 1361 and seeing hyce geek out! Would also love to see a video on the pros & cons of Belpaire compared to regular fireboxes. Keep up the great work!

[@Hyce777]

Adding that to my list - it'll make for a fun video. Cheers!

[@alexanderbeck5063]

@@Hyce777 the man himself! Thank you!

[@fuzzcopter467]

@@Hyce777I’d like a video on different tender types. Local steamer 332 has a weird European looking tender whose purpose eludes me…

[@3900Class]

Those multiple bearing crossheads and crosshead guides are pretty common on big power. Commonly cited user, the Big Boys. And Challengers and FEFs. They're machined in 2 separate halves and bolted together.

[@Hyce777]

That makes a ton more sense than making them out of one piece. Neat!

[@andrewadams3894]

@@Hyce777 AMC Berkshires/Kanawha's, Greenbriar's, Alleghenys, and Hudson's had multiple bearing guides as well. I suspect big NYC locomotives as well, but I haven't been down to Elkhart to check the L-3's guides.

[@HighballMachineWorks]

@@andrewadams3894 fellow Hoosier spotted! I think there’s a C&O Kanawha in North Judson at the HVRM, I just need to see if I can convince my dad to get us a trip there. It’s not too bad a drive from Jasper county so I can check its crosshead guides too.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

Hey, the intern who followed you guys around here haha. I’m glad you had a good time at the museum, and it was awesome meeting you! Hope to see you around when 1361 and some of our other projects are done

[@Lex_Illovici]

So very excited to hear about the k4, its awesome we'll have a k4 AND a T1 one day

[@CallMeCoal]

The fact that we'll be able to see the engine that lead the Pennsy to glory and the engine that tried to save the steam locomotive as a whole together one day warms my heart to the point where I think I'm going to experience a nuclear fallout within my neurological system. I hope my brain has a hazmat suit and my lungs a pip-boy!

[@Tom-Lahaye]

It's so good to see this project going forward in the current pace. The K4 must be one of my most favourite US engines. The PRR was for the US what the GWR was for the UK, the GWR was often called God's Wonderful Railway as they were so influential for the whole railroading in the UK as the PRR had in the AAR. The tender looks beautiful in the dark shade of green, it shows up in the video well.

[@royreynolds108]

The color of green is Brunswick Green.

[@00Zy99]

There's a good reason for that. Churchward was friends with the then-Master Mechanic at Altoona! If you look closely at the Dean, you can make out PRR lines. And then Gresley took a bit from the K4 for his Pacifics. When you consider that pretty much every other major engine designer in the UK in the 20th Century took from one of those two men, an argument could be made that the Pennsylvania Railroad influenced almost every major steam locomotive in 20th Century Britain. Churchward also implemented good design practices, which had some commonality with the on-goings at Altoona. Though which came first, I don't know. But the PRR did import a couple of locomotives from Britain and France around the same time that Churchward was doing his experiments. Like the GWR, though, they rejected Compounding quite thoroughly. This, despite the best efforts of favorite builder Baldwin (located on-line in the home town of Philadelphia and largest manufacturer of steam locomotives in the world).

[@Tom-Lahaye]

@@00Zy99 Sir William Stanier was the other great Chief Mechanic who learned a lot when working for the GWR, which later influenced his own designs to a great degree.

[@jpleva9987]

@@royreynolds108Dark Green Locomotive Enamel. It’s darker than Brunswick green.

[@tylerodonnell-paccione7523]

I'M WITH THE SCIENCE TEAM

[@Hyce777]

Here's everyone's reminder to always check past the end of the credits... lol!

[@TrainMedia00]

When 1361 is finally restored and steamed up for a long time and a test run, I will definitely visit to Altoona see this, I love big steam. And I can't wait to see this steaming up once again.

[@peregrina7701]

What a cool project. The tender looks fantastic and it'll be amazing when the whole thing is done and rolled out. Thank you for sharing this! Shout out to Jersey and Anti for getting in front of the camera to share their Pennsy knowledge. I hope you can keep showcasing these other museums and projects, with impromptu co-presenters :). Thanks again!!

[@PowerTrain611]

I just want to take a moment here to mention the contractor, FMW solutions. Those guys work hard and know what they're doing. They're really making a name for themselves with a lot of major steam projects around the country, and they play a pivotal role in the restoration of 1361 and the resurrection of the T1 5550.

[@Hyce777]

FMW strike me as some great folks! They're doing a ton of cool stuff. I'd love to get together with them. If any of them read this... shoot me an e-mail. ;)

[@williammacdonald3173]

Aren't they also working on one in Florida

[@PowerTrain611]

@@williammacdonald3173 yessir

[@sirboomsalot4902]

They are also currently working on Pere-Marquette 1225 as well iirc

[@williammacdonald3173]

@@sirboomsalot4902 pm 1225 is back up and running

[@SteamfanScott]

it is such a special treat to see Hyce travel to all these fascinating and historic railroad places and showcasing and bringing to life their stories and preservation. All the while teaching us new things along the way. It is easy to see the passion and enjoyment of telling those stories and I can't wait to see what's next!

[@justanotherghost4589]

Aw man you were here?! Wish I would've known lol, I live nearby, anyways I'm glad to see you stopped by, it seems like the museum has been making some good progress recently, both on the K4 and property itself, I can't wait for the Spirit of Altoona to run again!

[@williammacdonald3173]

I kind of suspect that there could be mechanical issues initially with her since you are dealing with a 100 + year old locomotive so you never know what you are going to have to deal with. I know TVRRM and The East Broadtop have had steam locomotive issues with 100 + year old steam locomotives

[@brillbusbootcamp2320]

Nice job both to the museum restoration crew, to the staff in this video, and to Hyce and friends! This is a really cool look at such a significant project. The Altoona museum is a very neat place, and I’m glad to see it’s in good hands.

[@danielcresswell7477]

It's always great to see these old locos getting restored. It's bringing a piece of history back to life.

[@haroldbradley2618]

I live in Altoona just over the hill from the now museum. It’s great to see more progress than ever. They have stepped up events and fundraising which is making a difference. I just seen shop tours are happening soon for the public for some dates in October. I hope you stayed long enough to visit the Everett rail road to ride there steam locomotive

[@LamhirhAbriel]

Joe and his team, and the board refresh that happened behind the scenes, are all showing strongly. I don't subscribe to Great Man Theory, but the place felt like a boat that lost its rudder until Joe came in--the Salone-installed management just were not effective, and were scared to death of sharing *anything* on social media, especially about 1361. I distinctly recall Sherri sort of losing her mind and almost throwing me out for bringing up that the boiler was (at the time) hiding out at the East Broad Top because she thought it was a big secret--Dennis Livesly had posted that photo online a couple years prior to that.

[@buecomet831]

So glad to see 1361 still getting restored the proper way.

[@electrik_loss]

I went down to Altoona back in March to visit the Penn State campus there, and while I was down I decided to stop at the museum and I got to see 1361, and at that time the firebox wasn't on the boiler, just the bottom bracing. It is so wonderful to see that 1361 is coming along so well, and hopefully soon she'll be on the rails again!

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Awesome video! Thank you so much for making this video of 1361! This is the number one locomotive I’m most excited for! I’m very proud to be a regular donor for this locomotive.

[@Hyce777]

Thank you for helping to make it happen!

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

@@Hyce777 No problem! This project is very exciting to me!

[@patricksheary2219]

Hi Mark, what an amazing in-process look at the restoration of Pennsy K4 number 1361. Like you said, Mark, so great to see the locomotive in its skeletal state. You can really nerd out at all the normally unseen details. I really liked seeing the parts carefully placed about on the floor, it demonstrates the complexity of all these bits. The nearly completed tender is fabulous and frankly beautiful! And how can I not scream over the historic color and all that. What an absolutely first rate job, certainly can’t wait to see 1361 completed! Many thanks to curator Matthew Wolff for his excellent tour of the restoration work, and as always thanks to you Professor for yet another wonderful learning video. Cheers to you both!

[@slickfakeplace359]

I love the 1361, I have t seen here in person yet but I have a ho scale model of a k-4, and I recently moved to Alaska form my home sweet home of Philadelphia pa. So I’m so grateful your showing us this wonderful loco

[@everettthepetractionguy4222]

I truly appreciate that there are a lot of people out there that still care so much about steam locomotives and restoring them. ❤❤❤

[@scotts3938]

Seeing the details of the 1361 design was impressive and fascinating!!!

[@loficampingguy9664]

I had never heard of this before, but I am so very glad I have. Hyce being able to show us all these cool things and letting us see him geek out is both incredibly powerful and wonderfully sweet to watch.

[@brycenew]

Hyce, thank you!! For your huge(!!) passion, enthusiasm, support and this video! Go well and stay well mate!

[@squinkys]

lmfao respect the tap ref. glad you made it over to my neck of the woods, hope you enjoyed PA! our mountains might not be as impressive as CO's, but the railroading is!

[@Hyce777]

Your mountains are just different. Not mountains by height, but by density and complexity...

[@QuorkQTar]

17:33 - "You know, you have to have the project set up *before* you start the project." My suspected ADHD brain: "Huh?" 18:45 - And then I look at modern vehicles produced in modern time, in a very specific corporate identity with colours/paints standardised meticulously and marvel at the astonishingly broad spectrum of shades and tones these vehicles have in real life, just by variations and UV degradation of pigments and so on. Sometimes it does feel like the colouring discussions are completely over the top and looking for a colour precision that frankly is probably quite ahistoric and irrelevant. Great insight into this project that I naturally had never heard about before. Though that water filling at speed thing does ring a bell. Very neat, both the historical and the modern parts of the story. Thank you so much for sharing, as always!

[@DATDesign]

My great grandfather was a brake-man on the PRR. Finally got to check out this museum a few years ago, and if you're in the vicinity of Altoona, check it out and give them your support. It's VERY well done! Could easily spend the entire day there. The work that's going into this K4 is mind boggling, and it's so cool to see an up close and personal update.

[@joefrew1614]

I know that guy Matt Wolf, I went to college with him, he’s a great guy and I’m glad you got to stop by our lil neck of the woods. Did you guys happen to stop by the Horseshoe Curve while you’re there?

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Matt is awesome at what he does!

[@Hyce777]

I wish! I didn't end up getting to. Another time!

[@nicholmansgarage3501]

Love to see this!! Being a Pennsylvanian myself, I have a soft spot for 1361, and can't wait to see her back under steam. I was hoping to meet you at the NG convention in Pittsburgh. But I wasn't able to get off work for Wednesday through Friday, and then I was exposed to covid on Friday night, so I missed the convention AND a chance to meet you! Good times lol

[@BillyRueckert]

Cool to see all this incredibly detailed work going in to 1361 by such a fine group of folks! Also very interested in "Nancy" back there.

[@ReggieArford]

Nancy - former shifting engine for Berwind-White (now the Olympic railway services facility), in Hollidaysburg PA. Withdrawn from service after she threw a wheel (it slid off the end of the axle). A 0-4-0 saddletanker, she was cosmetically restored at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, where she is now.

[@TheGhostRonin]

K4s are so cool, Pennsy always had great looking locos

[@Michael-u6q]

Thank you for doing a video of the k4 1361 she means a lot to me and altone

[@j_aguilar4329]

Such a cool video. Thank you sir and everyone else who contributed.

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Having grown up practically memorizing my Dad's Al Stauffer books, I am thrilled this project has momentum once again. It was so disheartening to realize 1361 has spent more time in pieces scattered around PA than it had spent on display on Horseshoe Curve!

[@georei]

I hope you had a great time at the Railroad Museum in my state. I can remember seeing the 1361 at horseshoe curve when I was very young. I can't wait to see her and the Pennsylvania T-1 running. It would be great to see them together.

[@tristanbentz224]

Fun fact Sir Nigel grezzly took inspiration from the PRR K4 for his Pacific like the flying Scott’s men tornado and mallard

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

I’m no expert when it comes to British steam, but Gresley had absolutely nothing to do with Tornado for a few reasons: - Tornado, a new build that entered service in 2008, is based on the A1 class of locomotives designed by Arthur Peppercorn between 1948 & 1949 - Gresley passed away in 1941

[@tristanbentz224]

@@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243 I meant the design of the loco not the actual building

[@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243]

@@tristanbentz224 yeah, and the basis for Tornado wasn’t a Gresley design

[@tristanbentz224]

@@jerrysgardentractorsengine2243 then I stand corrected

[@Alleghemer]

Hey Hyce, dude, fantastic job, being a local that actually works on the old pennsy main this means a lot to me actually, seeing the progress they’ve made up close even since I was there in early may is fantastic. Amazing video! And you asked about the bottom of the frame not being flat. If you look at the bottom of the frame as well you can see that is also not flat. I believe it’s because the fire box was actually made so that they could move all of the cinders and ash to the middle to make cleaning more easier ands faster. Also the top floor acts as kind of an archive for old pennsy documents and the company they partnered with for the restoration had gone up there and combed though them to find the original blueprints and layout for the K4 and are working off them.

[@LamhirhAbriel]

I spent a few days helping reorganized the archive (and helping bail it out when the roof started leaking). There's an erecting card for an M1 in that pile of blueprints, the sheet metal drawings for K4s #3768 aka 'The Torpedo,' and plans for a never-built engine facility at Mill Run that were part of a never-executed electrification west of Harrisburg.

[@sam-ej7sq]

love it, well done hyce. i am verry apreceative of you brining awareness and not letting these marvels have a silent death

[@AS-Railfan]

Cant wait till that K4 returns to operation awesome video!

[@willhorowitz8806]

She is our state locomotive along with her sister. Small wonder us Pennsylvanian railfans are so attached to 1361.

[@daylight4493]

I hope she will be restored pretty soon through the years. She is one of my favorite locomotives has a beautiful whistle too she deserves to be back on the main line for all to see 💚💚💚 definitely one of the best unique locomotives of the Pennsylvania railroad. May she keep steaming on 🚂

[@rockerbuck967]

I live an hour or so from Altoona, and I'd love to see the #1361 run before I die. I'm 51, so I have my fingers crossed.

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

This locomotive has been my number one priority to send donations to. I take a portion of my ad revenue and donate it towards 1361.

[@dananiszewski5025]

This is a fascinating video to watch. You know your stuff, friend. I’ve learned so much (I’m purely a novice), of course I’ll contribute (and subscribe).

[@Beechnut985]

Great posting.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Great tour and video the Pennsy K4 is coming along nicely !!!

[@kellyfairbanks5330]

I've never heard of this engine before till now I'm excited to see it run in the future

[@snowtheavali]

Hyce, you should come to Arkansas and check out the Arkansas Railroad Museum. Help spread the story of a little known railroad, the Cotton Belt, Saint Louis Southwestern, and the massive undergoing there to restore and maintain Cotton Belt 819. I have grown up going to see her, she is what has made me so fascinated with trains in general, let alone steam, and I would love to see her story get out there. I know I am late, but if you read this, I will be grateful.

[@gorbalsboy]

Wow, whit a choo choo, fantastic, Hyce I hope I am around in 20 years or so just so I can see you as one of your nations foremost experts on steam locomotives, all the best from sunny Troon Scotland big chap😊

[@mynamedosntmatter]

This is such a cool project, I can't wait to see it in steam 😀

[@CedarLakeRailfanner]

Could you just imagine 1361 and 5550 double heading on an excursion

[@jeffhudson7569]

I'm from Altoona. I know every valve in that cab!!!!!!!

[@RichardKroboth]

Last time I saw 1361 was at Steamtown. It looked like a full size Bowser kit sitting in the backshop. Boiler was on the frame with all the wheels off. Glad to see the project is moving forward.

[@johnsadventures6783]

Around 25 years ago, i hauled the drivers and other axles down to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga to have them turned.

[@phildlight]

I’m right down the road from here! This reminds me I should go visit. It’s been too long.

[@bear470]

Welp, it's now 12:20 am, I get up for work at 5 am, but I just HAD to watch this before going back to bed. I've been looking for a recent update on this restoration, super pumped it's coming from you!

[@TheNSTrainGuy]

I wish I could have been there to say hi I worked in the archive room and helped in the shop a bit I'm glad you enjoyed yourself

[@Franklinwesterngaming]

This is my favorite locomotive

[@brootheboomer]

Got to hill city today got to see 2 2-6-6-2t mallets!!! They be k37 engine and tender size on standard gauge

[@garysprandel1817]

Remember seeing the news of PRR 1361 being removed from display at Horseshoe Curve and replaced by a GP9. Even as a young man in his early 20s I could appreciate the irony of the locomotive that retired the K4 to be stuffed and mounted was itself being stuffed and mounted to replace the K4 while the K4 would return to the rails. Yeah PRR Brunswick green i always described as 55 gallons of black and a gallon of green added.

[@jediraptor07]

Welcome to Pennsylvania, Hyce! Here's hoping you get to see Reading 2102 under steam while you're out here (if you haven't already)!

[@Hyce777]

I wish! It'll have to be next time.

[@jediraptor07]

@@Hyce777 There's no official confirmation on this yet AFAIK, but rumor has it that once American Steam Railroad finishes restoring Reading 2100/AFT 250, it's going to run on the RBMN, possibly double-heading with 2102. If that's true, you have GOT to come out and see it, because the only thing more awesome than one Reading T-1 charging up-grade the Pocono Mountains is TWO Reading T-1s charging up-grade through the Pocono Mountains!

[@dark_one1337]

the Tender of 1361 could probably be one of the original 70-P-75 Tenders that got upgraded and rebuild, since 1361 had 3 tenders, 70-P-75, 110-P-75 and from there again to a 130-P-75 or it's just to accomodate the stoker, since the Pennsy refused to equip theier engines with stokers, until labor rates got so high that stoker where cheaper to operate than having up to 4 fireman on a Engine. Or the Boker wreck made them check all theier tenders and rebuild them.

[@LamhirhAbriel]

1361's current tender is a contract-ordered tender built by Baldwin, and I believe was originally assigned to an I1s.

[@Hyce777]

That makes sense if it was an extension for an upgrade.

[@AndrewTheRocketCityRailfan4014]

Dude, I live in that town but was busy with school. Man I could have met you there in person right there had I know, LOL

[@railwayjade]

That is going to be one sexy loco! Really one of my favourite classes of the US locos. Love Pennsy's designs. That is pretty cool with the brakes on the leading bogie/pilot - don't think I have ever heard/seen that before.

[@RailfanLan2006]

I was at Altoona twice this year, i stood near the station next to the museum, and was railfanning, my recent trip was last saturday.

[@InkblotHyena]

I'm tickled to bits that we're getting a PRR K4, one of Pennsy's classics, back in operation. This year truly is fantastic. 1361's being restored. We're getting Frisco's 2-8-2 1352 at the Connecticut Valley. UP 4014's in operation. UP 3985's restoration is being planned. UP 5511's going in for restoration. UP 428's getting fixed up. This truly is a beautiful time to be a steam enthusiast, isn't it?

[@williamtheNWRS3class]

ive always wanted to see 1352's sister engine 1355 in person but i havent been able to yet i hope i can tho

[@thomabb]

I remember when 1361 was on display at The Curve. I hope to see it run one day.

[@94_Chevy_Z71]

To think, if it wasn't for the K4, Sir Nigel Gresley wouldn't have built the A1/3's. Pennsy sure has a legacy to behold!

[@Hyce777]

Oh really? I didn't realize there was a connection there.

[@LamhirhAbriel]

​@Hyce777 there is! The Pennsy's test plant (roughly adjacent to the 17th St bridge in Altoona) did publish its research and data regarding locomotives from time to time, and did so with the K4s prototype, #1737. Gresley read those reports and patterned the A1/A3s after their design characteristics (both the K4s and A1/A3 have a tube length of 19'0" and a tapered boiler, and are built to the maximum of their loading gauge). I also personally find it hilarious that LNER 4472 Flying Scotsman went through a somewhat protracted and expensive rebuild, not so unlike it's American cousin.

[@Demo-xu6bl]

I didn't think you would actually do it. Heist. I knew about 1361 being restored but I didn't know that you were going to visit Pennsylvania just to see her. Good on you man

[@blu3sw0rdsm4n]

I was just at Horseshoe Curve on 21SEP2024! Even got a 1361 keychain at the gift shop. Haven’t been to the Railroader’s Museum in a long time though. Need to make a trip of it.

[@Battleship61234]

Absolutely loved seeing you somewhere I've been so many times. Great video as always. Love seeing you talk about Pennsy! :)

[@stevemellin5806]

Looking forward to seeing it completed

[@tobyradabaugh5033]

Mark you should check out the t1 locomotive trust there building a pennsy t1 from the ground up

[@netherguardian]

Been to that museum before COVID. Was an awesome experience

[@Mooxystrains]

Neat! I was lucky enough to visit that museum myself. Although I spent most of the time at horseshoe curve.

[@dannagy546]

That big beautiful Kiesel cast trailing truck! Also, DGLE is my favourite colour!

[@K0xGH0STZz]

You need to come over to the UK and see the P2 project, a new build loco. Laurie visited a while back. Would be cool to compare the different ways of building locos.

[@Hyce777]

I'd absolutely love to!

[@desireekerley]

They need to get ahold of Heritage Wooden Railway and have a wooden k4 toy made for the gift shop ❤

[@chooch1764]

Yes!

[@Silvertone_Spiral]

I bet you my life they’re gonna have 1361 run at strasburg at some point. That’s gonna be foam central.

[@chooch1764]

and reunite with K4s 3750!

[@Xsteelx94]

I saw her last year, before they finished painting the tender. She’ll be beautiful when she’s complete.

[@osageorangegaming5128]

I felt like Hyce when we got told that the trough scoop could pick up 491's tender tank worth of water in 30 seconds. Just proves that there are technologies done in the steam era that just made a lot of sense from an operational standpoint and the water trough is one of them!

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

I remember standing beside that locomotive as a kid, brings back a lot of memories.

[@k4productions]

I love the k4, obviously

[@LamhirhAbriel]

Hey Mark, wierdo Altoona guy who dropped by the EBT with that tidbit about the PRR and their elevator tube stokers (they were Standard HTs and were, aside from the later designs, added during rebuilds)-- Remember when I said 1361 got the stoker? July 1939, 21 years into her career. The casting date on the one cylinder is, if I recall, May or June 1939, meaning July was just her release date or the PRR kept a few castings on hand (they did, after all, own their own foundry in town). The 1939 shopping was a pretty heavy class overhaul, so much so that she was sent to Juniata from her assigned home shop (which at the time, was the 46th Street Roundhouse in Philadelphia). The other is from the 1940s, if my memory is correct, aligns to her second major rebuild Fun Fact: You mentioned the piston tail rods on the engines you saw in Bosnia and Coratia--that seems to have been a common-ish European practice, and one that, along with the Belpaire firebox, that PRR stole for a time--1361 and her early sisters were built with them and lost them sometime after 1921 (the earliest known in-service photo of 1361 was taken that year in Washington, DC, and she had piston tail rods, singe guide crossheads, no power reverse, an oil-style (but electric) headlight, wooden pilot, and a round number plate...and a very small tender) She only really worked commuter service near the end (post 1946) on the NY&LB. Her first assignments were out of Philly, and there are photos of her working runs to Washington, DC, and on the Buffalo Line (photo by H.E. Brouse of her on a milk train in Sunbury, PA). ASfter the 1939 overhaul at Juniata, her assigned shop was Columbus, OH and, at least occasionally, worked the Blue Ribbon Fleet trains. There's a photo of her posed in East St Louis in September that year with the Spirit of St Louis headboard under her number plate (headboards were another thing the Pennsy stole from European practice that weren't really done on other US roads). Post 1946, she was sent back east and ultimately ended up assigned to Camden Terminal Enginehouse (the CTE on her pilot, if it was ever photographed clean) and running out her last miles on the NY&LB from South Amboy to Bay Head. Given how much ground she covered in 38 years, it's hardly surprising that she ran the estimated 2.5 million miles. Second fun fact--some her original PRR paperwork, including her specification card and final boiler inspection report dated May 22, 1956, was found in 2017, in Philadelphia's 30th Street Station (which is, of course, ex-PRR) by an Amtrak emplyee cleaning out an office, who facilitated that the file be donated to the museum. That boiler report is stamped "Permanently withdrawn from service account of being condemed.' with a penciled note scrawled on one side 'HOLD.' It's also worth noting that the boiler number on the reports does not match her builders plates (report says 3739, plates are 3475), though considering one tube sheet is stamped for an L1s 2-8-2, who knows... Cheers, Tim P.

[@Hyce777]

Cheers Tim! Appreciate the context and additional info. :)

[@jerseycentral833]

For some added context on the boiler number: I cannot for the life of me find the pictures of it, but they have some signs out on display in the roundhouse which I'm sure you've seen, but I believe on there there's some inspection reports dating way back on the engine's history. The boiler number I do believe has been 3739 all the way back to at least the 20s. Since PRR did not number boilers alongside frames/other components as they were built separately from each other to a standard design, it's believable the boiler IS in fact the original. Pretty sure the way it went was "pick the newest compatible boiler and slap it on the completed frame"

[@LamhirhAbriel]

​@@jerseycentral833 The inspection reports and specification card on the display boards are from the file found in 30th Street Station back in 2017, which I got to see the originals of--at the time I was volunteering sorting out the rudderless archive but as I told Mark, I have a 124 year old house now and that's the primary focus of my excess energy. You're probably right, though, since the Specification Card's revision date is 01-25-1912. While I haven't seen any others, the PRR was notoriously a beauracracy and I find it hard to believe they would have used the same form revision all the way through to the T1, considering they sent out a new M.P. 229 (Assignment of Locomotives) every month. Side note, I really wish I had more than just the May 1, 1939 M.P. 229. Tracing individual engines around the system is kind of amusing, and that one has a neat note in it--just before going in for the heavy overhaul at Juniata, 1361 was assigned to the Delmarva Division, and so were D16sb 1223 and K4s 3750, both of which also survive (and 3750's tale is quite silly)

[@robnobert]

you're looking great these days Hyce!!! 💪 I don't know if you've been trying to lose weight or maybe you just lost a few from being so damn busy 😅😂 definitely been there! but just thought you should hear it ❤️ looking good thanks for the trains!

[@Hyce777]

lol if anything I've felt like I've gained a few, but thanks mate, lol!

[@TimothyMagee]

As a b&o fan and pen fan I say kudos to Pennsylvania railroad and Pennsylvania railroad steam is back 🎉

[@ostsan8598]

For some reason, I've been craving seafood this whole video. Hope 1361 gets to run soon.

[@nordisk1874]

I saw her run as a kid. I’m glad the project is going smooth after all these years. Hopefully someday 35 will join 1361 in operation someday. 39 will never steam again.

[@Waty8413]

The K4 deserves a running example. As cool as the duplex reproduction project is, the K4 deserves to be running again first, even the I1 decamped deserves a running example before the duplex IMO. These locos are iconic and ARE PRR railroading in the first half of the 20th century.

[@BRNo.57646]

So, my buddy is in love with the K4's and he flipped out when I sent him the link to this video lol.. I also love the K4's, HOWEVER, if there was one singular thing I had to nitpick about aesthetics wise, it would be; Why is the tender so dang small? Now, I know it might not seem that small in person, but some fiber of my being wishes that the K4's had 6-wheeled bogies on the tender. Idk, maybe that's just me.

[@chooch1764]

1361’s tender is longer than 3750’s tender.

[@Demo-xu6bl]

Maybe while you're there maybe look for the t1 trust. And 5550s boiler. They're rebuilding the t1 from the ground up. I hope you get to see them and talk to them

[@chooch1764]

Building* Not “rebuilding”

[@Helpline5815]

Aww, I live nearby, I wish I would have known you'd be in my neck of the woods. I would love to have met you and see you film one of your videos about such a great topic. I live in South Fork, near the site of the old dam that caused the great Johnstown flood, we're one town over. I visit Altoona a good bit.

[@Elios0000]

man you need to get out the T1 Trust and Western Maryland at some point now

[@chrisingle8388]

Any chance you will visit strasburg railroad and there steam shop?

[@mattstrainroom]

The Pennsy called themselves the "Standard Railroad of the World" but those boys were nothing but standard!

[@jefflynnalex]

I believe that moniker referred to the Pennsy's efforts to standardize as much of their railroad as they absolutely could. They had a series of dimensions and tolerances that had to do with when they spent a massive amount of money to rebuild and expand their entire mainline over about a 20 year period. That plus their desire for their locomotives to share as many parts as possible to cut down on maintenance costs all contributed to their "standardization" efforts. So it's actually wrong to call the PRR the "standard" railroad of the world. More appropo would be to call it the "standardized" railroad of the world.

[@nw6115]

On your way home you should have checked out the VMT (Virgina museum of transportation) 611, 1218 and many other pieces of railroad history are there. if you ever get to go there it will be very worth while.

[@DCSk8er529]

I wish a New York Central Steam Locomotive had the same luck as this K4. Even though I am a New York Central fan, I can't help but like the K4 anyway.

[@johnsadventures6783]

3001

[@DCSk8er529]

@@johnsadventures6783 We'll find out tomorrow. Hope it's true. I'm tired of Pennsylvania having all the shine. Time to take the shine from them for once.

[@NorfKhazad]

The $30k-$60k pricetags on what sounds to the layman like relatively minor projects really puts the cost of these restorations into perspective.

[@Waty8413]

Yeah it seems like just a bunch of stee, rivets, and welding but relatively few people are doing this sort of work, particularly when it comes to meeting boiler safety standards.

[@ryanjosephhaywood96]

Love when you come to my home state of pa and even more when your in Central pa im from williamsport, PA on the Buffalo line i live next to the newberry yard