NEW-BUILD Steam Locomotive Frame Walkthrough - PRR T1 Trust

As ‪@TheT1Trust‬ passes the halfway mark in building Pennsylvania Railroad T1 No. 5550, join General Manager Jason Johnson for a detailed walk-through of the most complex component of this high-tech steam locomotive - THE FRAME.
t1trust.org/
Produced in association with ‪@PistonRodProductions‬. Thumbnail photo courtesy of Ryan Grewell.
Music from Epidemic Sound.
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[@mylesspear]

It’s scary how far they’ve gotten in the past few years… Wouldn’t be surprised if they get her done before 2030!

[@supergenesisstation1991]

If donations come at a faster and larger rate it will be done before 2030

[@southern207hobbies]

The boiler guts is going to be the real challenge

[@kristoffermangila]

​@@southern207hobbiesnot really... but the real challenge is the valve gear, whic was one of the sources of the original T1's problems.

[@TajOwens-s1s]

Agreed

[@TheT1Trust]

​@kristoffermangila your source of information is very wrong about the running gear.

[@LegendaryCollektor]

I just donated a thousand dollars. Finished paying it off this year. Im absolutely donating again

[@chooch1764]

You are awesome! Thank you so much!

[@Bessemer905]

This is awesome. We need more people to recreate famous steam trains

[@ShermanBoi]

Yes - a working Class A would be great, as well as a PRR Turbine.

[@Bessemer905]

@ShermanBoi i always liked K4's. For desiels I like the BP20.

[@Dieselfueledwork]

In England, they are making 4 steamers brand new.

[@mattheworsini6876]

Just gave my cylinder club gift! If you're on the fence, dive right in. Glad to be a part of this wonderful project!

[@henrywruesche2]

I'm stoked at having a new t1 manufactured!. Can't wait!

[@philippeandre7883]

I cannot give much each year but I'm proud to be part of this fantastic project ! Can't wait to see it alive and smoking !

[@Jake_Kern]

This is truly an incredible feat of engineering.... I can even begin to think of all the work that must have gone into a re-engineering of a locomotive design that's older than my grandparents, and making it without the tooling that was avaliable on an industrialized scale all those years ago.... you guys aren't just preserving history... You are re-creating it inch by inch in a way that all our grandparents would be proud of. 👏

[@Fedora5957]

I am glad to have contributed and will continue to do so until I see it run!

[@garygearhart1016]

It’s very impressive to see a steam engine being built from the ground up you guys are making me feel that our country can still build a steam locomotive from scratch great job guys 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@MrTragedious986]

The frame looked very impressive.

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

Nice to see that a modern corporation is taking the time to learn how to do this because I feel that it’s a necessary part of a national strategy to keep a economic system going in an unthinkable event might happen and with all of the heritage equipment still available we can keep a limited economy going until we can get everything else going

[@RailfanDaws1714]

I like the video can’t wait to see the t1 run again

[@Robertmitchell2121]

Same here!

[@coolruehle]

This will be WAAAY better than the original!

[@brenrob7403]

Amazing how far you've come. Wishing you all luck!

[@mrs.arneil2455]

That was a great update. Thank you so mich for sharing.

[@davidlong6173]

Looks a great project all the best can’t wait to see the finished result.

[@markmonroe7330]

Excellent presentation. Thank you. Very excited to see it in person.

[@marvwatkins7029]

Keep up the great work, gentlemen.

[@evracer]

Been following for a while and am truly impressed with how far along it is. Honestly, whenever I first see projects like this I expect them to fizzle out....but I am pretty sure this one is going to happen!

[@trainsimulatordriver]

This is an absolutely fascinating machine.

[@melodymonger]

Really fascinating, particularly the engineering challenges of building such a machine when technology and industrial processes have changed so much. I saw the A1 Trust's Tornado locomotive in action in the UK back in 2008 and i love the crazy idea of building steam locos in the 21st century. Best of luck to all involved 😃👍🇦🇺

[@patmancrowley8509]

Good engineering with this project. I don't want to wish you "luck" because luck can run out. I want to believe in your engineering so "good engineering!"

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Oh WOW! Your team has made amazing progress. A report like this brings confidence, lots of it👍👌

[@DATDesign]

Loved this in depth look at the T1. It really is amazing. As a drafter, and seeing that glimpse of the original plans, I can only imagine the man hours it took to recreate in CADD.

[@ChargerusPrime]

You folks have utterly SHOCKED me with how far you've come. My gut instinct says 2028 will be the year 5550 runs for the first time! Also, as a side note. With how modern 5550 is, my advice and humble asking is that y'all organize taking her across the ENTIRE NATION, coast to coast. This could be done by way of the old northern pacific or GN to get to the west coast then down through California. Then run across the southwest through Texas and come back on home towards home rails. The reason why being the massive accomplishment of a brand new steamer being built after nearly a century. It'd also be excellent publicity and a MAJOR test of 5550 and the T1 design in general. It might also get support needed for other new build steam projects that may or may not be proposed. Granted, I'm just a railfan (NOT FOAMER) who is spitballing a crazy idea.. but if a T1 can be reborn and a Big Boy be returned to steam, damn near ANYTHING is possible!

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Hmmmm .... just trying to work out how long the support train would be for that jaunt. A large coal hopper, couple of water tankers (even with on-board water treatment, there are some impressive desert crossings on your route), large closed car (spares and consumables), crew sleeping car, crew saloon, kitchen /mess car - that's seven right there. If you're thinking in terms of a hotel on wheels for paying passengers, add a 1st class sleeper, vista dome (or two, depending on ticket sales, one day tickets etc.), restaurant car, bar car, cattle truck (for rowdy children ... though tbh, I can't see it being a particularly effective threat against bad behaviour!!). Maybe an 'open' carriage (if regulations permit on Class I lines) ... and a 'Thunderbird' (Does that make sense in the US? It's the term we 🇬🇧 use for a rescue diesel). That's up to 14 plus 'Thunderbird'. Just the kind of load these beasties were originally designed to whisk along at speed ... on the Pennsy. Back in 1948, 5511 ran 21 car test trains on the N&W's Norfolk Division, so although the smaller wheeled N&W J Class (70" against 80" drivers) it was up against back then did better on hills, that should still be do-able. Now where's that attempt on LNER No.4468's 126mph record going to happen?

[@manga12]

@@TheHoveHeretic they will go to the loop outwest where they test the modern trains and railcars at pueblo and fuel I belive she will be oil for practical and future considerations, though we got less oil and petrol then we do coal but the nation is turning against coal and then you got to have a place to dump the ash and all other logistics of dealing with it, as for advances they also might incorporate those too like an advanced exaust or overfire jets, and as for casting they did say in another place there are 5 foundries in the usa that acutally could make a casting this large but 1 million at a pop and want three attempts, you can see the costs and no garrentee that any would be up to par, where with welding it can be joined and put into a stress relief oven and made as though its one whole piece and get all the brittlement out of the welds. and on coast to coast cali would never let a combustion engine across its boarder I almost promise you they wanted to make so no engine older the 35 years would operate in the state and they want to have zero emissions in the near future, never mind the fact that rail moves much more tonnage for less fuel use and less emissions to do it to begin with.

[@oldshape3876]

I hope they come to Idaho

[@ChargerusPrime]

@oldshape3876 they very well might. Depends on the route they take or if they could pull it off.

[@ChargerusPrime]

@@manga12 considering 5550 would be literally a brand new steam locomotive and not a restored one, California can go straight to hell on their communist ways of life.

[@AndyTaylor-bg3ft]

Well done lads, we did it.

[@lasalleman6792]

Can't wait to see that on the rails!

[@BadMoodMax]

Donating from Poland 🇵🇱

[@chooch1764]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

I thought at the beginning that you blokes are crazy to even try this BUT NOW I AM AMAZED AT YOUR PROGRESS I am no convinced you will complete this locomotive

[@chooch1764]

now*

[@themysticaldrone4517]

Crowd funding and passion really can do anything

[@marvwatkins7029]

How incredibly exciting! So many other lost classic steam locomotives should be recreated. I wish I has the tens of million$ to make it happen.

[@neilwilliams5173]

outstanding work! to think that they were originally a cast frame of that size is awesome.

[@Sean-v6g]

History here we come .

[@TreasureHuntingSWPA412]

Amazing progress!

[@marvwatkins7029]

Next hopefully a NYCRR Dreyfuss J3A Trust?🤔

[@chooch1764]

You should start the campaign for it then.

[@Robertmitchell2121]

This is awesome! Can’t wait to see it finished!

[@robertlucido3686]

They need to do this for another extinct steam locomotive, that being the New York Central Hudson

[@roberthoffhines5419]

AGREED! (and I'm a slobbering Pennsy fan) Some other group should do that with the experience of these guys.

[@IJGames_Studios]

I was thinking of the Clinchfield E-2 Challenger but yeah

[@chooch1764]

How about you start a group for it? @robertlucido3686

[@firstnamlastnam2141]

or a Hiawatha, any of the two

[@GothRailfan]

Yes! A streamlined Hudson.

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Congratulations on How, Far You All have Gotten ❤ ! Looking forward to Seeing It Run One day ! Best Wishes to You All !😊I Wish I was a Multi-Millionaire, Because I Would have Loved to Give You Guys The Money to Complete the T1 !

[@davidrubin8228]

While I cannot give as often as I like, I am happy to say that I have been part of the purchase and donation to the Trust of some of the 97% of the drawings!

[@ricksadler797]

Awesome

[@jbrunsonjr]

So, so awesome! 👏👏👏

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Very exciting and informative video. I will definitely donate. Thanks for the nudge. Happy Rails.

[@NW-gi1cp]

Mallard: *heavy breathing*

[@ronanvave560]

Mallard cheated anyway, the PRR S1 and T1 would've achieved it fair and square, if they had dyno cars in their consist

[@GothRailfan]

​@@ronanvave560 The S1 though never achieved its top speed due to it being so long and that it couldn't turn on curves that well being a non-articulated engine.

[@ronanvave560]

@GothRailfan Well, a video by someone named Hyce talked about the S1 versing Mallard. Iirc, the S1 achieved over, or nearly 130 mph during a run, but was dismissed due to the engineer speeding

[@TheHoveHeretic]

​@@ronanvave560Thems fightin' words !!!

[@InverseWeenis]

​@ronanvave560 I for one cannot wait for something to dethrone it, I'm a firm believer in the A class and F7s being faster than A4s in the real world.

[@NORTH_WESTERN]

Very exited for this

[@marvwatkins7029]

(He did not need to wear safety glasses then unless they are prescription. No work was being done.)

[@jakedarling7549]

I wonder if this will inspire any other new-builds for lost classes throughout the US. We have quite a few on the go in Britain so it'll be nice to see if this is successful enough that other will follow. The A1 trust have the P2 making good progress and another in the pipeline, I think a V3 (I forget), so who knows if after the T1 is done, these guys might take on a new project.

[@scottpool4777]

Very nice I can’t wait to see the completion I’ll be there with bated breath tell me about beautiful.

[@TB-ModelRR]

With all that's been said, I can't wait to see it done. 😊

[@samstewart4807]

wow! an excellent video!

[@gradyyokeley9930]

I spent several years on a subarc, they get very good penetraction while laying down a lot of weld.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Amazing !!

[@Lil_Pennsy]

I can’t wait to see videos of her running😢❤

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

As a rail fan and son of a man who was in trucking for about thirty years, seing the ol' girl on a trailer is an appreciated juxtaposition of two different logistics methods.

[@Rheasound]

I would like to see some riveting. Great job so far! my hat off.

[@danielmkubacki]

Cool!

[@RUNAWAYTRAIN3010]

NEXT LOCOMOTIVE TO REBUILD THE NYC HUDSON

[@chooch1764]

and you should start a campaign for it.

[@rockguitarist931]

Hopefully they inspire more people to revive dead classes of steam engines, I'd love to see a Mallet or Yellowstone get restored.

[@traindad77]

Time for an AC-12 next

[@chooch1764]

Time for you to start a campaign for one.

[@gothjim325]

I would love one of those cute 0-4-0 saddle tank dockside switchers, or an awesome SHAY. I think they got rid of steam engines way to soon, and plus there's a real charm to steam machines.

[@MartinTreadgold]

You should reach out to the A1 steam trust, they are in the process of building new steam locos

[@arkangelnorthman]

BRAVO!!!!

[@Robertmitchell2121]

If I had alot of money I would donate it to the t1 trust

[@JerzeyBoy]

Would be crazy if we got a Milwaukee road at 7 or a New York Central railroad j1, 2 and 3 Hudson

[@chooch1764]

Start a campaign yourself then

[@fredjacobs]

Amazing!

[@tandemcompound2]

Is it me or does this loco look like a cordless drill battery? Ambitious project. Can I order a NYC Hudson, or is that the other railroad we do not mention.

[@russellgxy2905]

Already modern by steam loco standards, it’s only fitting for a new T1 to use these newer techniques in construction!

[@thatconservativetrainguy3864]

I hope this is successful so we can get something like a Hudson back

[@Pamudder]

You noted that each set of drivers was on a pivoting truck. Are the cylinders, cross head guides, valve gear, etc. also on the truck?

[@5280bj]

NO, NO, NO. The drivers are mounted to the frame... Just the leading and trailing trucks swivel.

[@Pamudder]

@@5280bjyou are correct. At about 3:00 the narrator referred to the “front engine truck” being on a pivot and I misunderstood him to refer to the drivers. This had me confused because I knew the T-1’s design was different from that of articulated locomotives like the Big Boy and the SP cab-forwards.

[@officialpennsyjoe]

This whole project would make a perfect Modern Marvel's episode if they were still around.

[@Marcy53Volkswagen]

Now that i think about it, what were the ACTUAL mechanical and physical flaws of the T1, And if the T1's performance can be simulated on a computer. (speed, power as such) Would love to see!

[@NightmareKato]

Primary flaw was the running gear and valves (mainly poppet valves) were not rated to handle excess speeds. Engineers were not accustomed to the high torque that resulted in destructive wheel slip (and in some cases, damage to the running gear). The T1 trust has already addressed these flaws after obtaining copies of similar valves.

[@antoinepenciolelli2845]

​@@NightmareKato Sur leur vidéo de présentation, on distingue une distribution Caprotti en place de la distribution Franklin qui, suite à de nombreux problèmes, a été modifiée en distribution Walchaerts sur les modèles originaux. Cela peut résoudre ce problème en évitant l'appareillage d'une distribution Walchaerts à contrebalancer?

[@TheHoveHeretic]

True. Metal treatments to produce bearing surfaces of sufficient durability have advanced a *long* way since the original locos were produced.

[@ctwalston1565]

WOW!!

[@Pesmog]

This looks like great work. Were there many US steam classes manufactured with steel plate frames like this? The reason I ask is that I have only seen a small number of steam loco's in the USA, and if I recall correctly most had bar or cast frames.

[@jonkeau5155]

The original T-1 this is based on was a single large casting and one of the last steam locomotives made in the USA, the capability to cast a frame that big just isn’t available anymore so they decided to do it this way. It’s still within 3% of original weight but has improvements for longevity.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Plate frames were the almost universal material here 🇬🇧 until a few cast segments made their way into designs very late in the day. Bar frames, common practice in tbe US which preceeded cast frames, had been virtually unknown here since the locos of Edward Bury in the early days of railways. In a Duplex loco, it will be fascinating to see the difference this will make. I've a suspicion it may suit the original purpose of mounting two discrete engine units in a single frame rather better than a more rigid cast bed. Who knows, maybe time could even prove it was the original design which headed up a then fashionable engineering dead end! After WWII, British firms *did* build plenty of steam locos with cast frames, largely for export to Sub-Saharan Africa, most to Metre or 3'-6" "(Cape") gauge.

[@1chuck96]

Jason...Weren't those loco's TERRIBLY SLIPPERY back in the day? And if so, have you corrected this problem? (You and I used to email each other re: 6325 and the photos you brilliantly took before, during, and after her re-construction. Jeez!!! If only I could see them again, but I DO have an idea. Would it be possible to do a "college" OF these photos and maybe a brief line, (or sentence of what the viewer is looking at) and them put 'em up on a website? Yeah, I understand that would take some time but would be of incredibly cool. Your thoughts? Jim

[@TheT1Trust]

No the rumors are overblown about how slippery they were. Most of the issues were engineers not knowing how to deal with a Superpower locomotive. They were used to dome throttle 1920 K4 locomotives. Big difference in the two locomotives.

[@johnbishop9275]

Came across the video and I’m wondering if your not casting the frame but instead fabricating what seems to be a skeleton to support the necessary parts of the running gear and boiler, parts etc.Aren’t you missing the shear mass/weight for the tractive effort?

[@NightmareKato]

​@@johnbishop9275 that is easy to rectify by adding weights in the frame itself. I'm sure they've thought about it - having a high center of gravity in a locomotive is a problem.

[@jonkeau5155]

@@johnbishop9275they’ve designed it to be within 3% of the original weight if I remember correctly.

[@sgritheall163]

Good work! Just one thing: the T-1 doesn't have a "cowcatcher" - the thing is called a "pilot".

[@MarkPeters-p8e]

Looks very good have one question why is everything thing welded sold is the cross members welded or bolted I would think something that big would have to give somewhere or it’ll crack right?

[@jonkeau5155]

The original chassis was actually 100% cast in one piece (which is astounding), in this case they started with the original blueprints and used the CAD program to test and stress the frame in various ways in the computer and improved on the design to make it even more robust, while keeping it within 3% of the original casting’s weight. It was designed to be better than the original and the original wasn’t known to have issues.

[@MarkPeters-p8e]

@ thanks for the info

[@BrendanRaymondKoroKoro]

When its all said and done... They'll be speechless 😅

[@BritishAviations2]

It’s just such incredible work they are doing. But I have a question for the railfans, what’s going to happen to the trust after the T1 is complete. They aren’t gonna run it, they’re sending it to other railroads. Could they rebrand to say the “J1 trust” or “S1 trust”?

[@Stooltoad5017]

Just because it will be operating on other railroads doesn’t mean they won’t own it or operate it. They will still be taking care of it when it’s not running on tourist lines. No need to rebrand.

[@grogman1911]

Is any pre and post weld heat-treating required for stress relief?

[@kusada3035]

The Brits made a new Peppercorn, i don't see why the US cant do the same. Good luck y'all

[@ShawnFields-o7o]

So are you restoring an old one, or build one from scratch from original blueprints? I have not been keeping up

[@fritz46]

There is no old one left. It's a completely new one!

[@ShawnFields-o7o]

@@fritz46 that is very cool!

[@jonkeau5155]

@@ShawnFields-o7o they are making it within 3% of the original weight while only upgrading things for reliability/longevity/safety requirements. They want an accurate example in terms of the full performance without any issues that cause breakdown or reliability issues so it will be around for centuries to come!

[@WesleyEast-RRfan]

What will happen to the T1 when complete?

[@chooch1764]

Mostly run excursions with it with some speed testing.

[@njlauren]

This is amazing, how far you can go with passion! When this was announced the nay sayers grumbled it could never happen, the US is a backwater, they will have to make it on China because we dont have casting capabillty, etc. They kind of live in the past, that somehow it was superior...and it wasn't. The welded tech they are using and the materials are better than the casting tech back then. I am no expert but they have advanced welding techniques utilizing heavily automated , precise techniques. Where millled parts are needed CNC milling is infinitely better than old milling machinery. On the emgineering side they have computer based tools that can do a lot more than turn a 2d drawing into 3d.They can run stress analysis, they can see where there will be interference or space problems, they can run simulations that in the old days would happen with a prototype , which was expensive and time consuming. Also back then despite the best efforts of engineers a lot was still trial and error. I say that with all do respect to them, they built incredible machines like this using hand calculations and slide rules. I have also heard grumbling it wont be authentic unless they do it the same way they did 100 years ago. That is silly, if the builders could have had this tech they would use it. Kudos to all!

[@MirelleLaRouge]

It was an absolutely amazing casting, I'm not sure what's more tragic, the loss of the locomotives, or the loss of the ability to cast such large and complicated things. I've never been so ashamed as an American, felt our national rot so deeply. Was this how it felt falling into the dark ages?

[@dima343.]

Lost skill/technology. It's like making hot enamel dials for pocket watches, almost no one is making them today, and some that do, can't reach quality of old dials. PRR S1 frame was the largest single-piece casting ever made for locomotive. I doubt, that welded frame will be as rigid as cast one, especially for twisting

[@ShinGhidorah17]

Would have preferred it if you recreated a prototype T1 rather than a production T1.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

I'm glad to see tech advances being used to produce a developed T1. The Gresley P2 (a 2-8-2) under construction over here 🇬🇧 is a 'next member' of a class which by common consent never reached it's full potential. Several known design issues have been ironed out, not all of them unique to this specific design. AIUI, the issues faced by the T1 in service were as much vastly different driving techniques as much as the design tweaks identified by the Trust building 5550.

[@Stooltoad5017]

I like the prototype streamlining as well, but I imagine there is good reason as to why the Pennsy chose not to continue the extra streamlining on the production locomotives.

[@davidkimmel5153]

Will be a beautiful Lady when finished

[@RailfanIan1225]

I’m curious, will the 765 Indiana Rail experience video be out soon?

[@PennsyPro]

Pending additional footage, it's next in line.

[@patrav5542]

Are you kidding me!? Are you bulding that new?😮

[@monitorlizardkid8253]

I wonder if it would be possible for these same guys to build a 4-8-6...? and if I were to be the one to give the 4-8-6 wheel arrangement an official nickname, it would either be "Paradox" or "Hercules". Hmm...

[@chooch1764]

No, start a campaign yourself

[@TheHoveHeretic]

With respect, you're missing the whole point of the Duplex concept.

[@rafaelmenendezgarcia1304]

That can only happen in the States…..good luck and thank you all

[@TheHoveHeretic]

Actually, it's happening here 🇬🇧 too ... admittedly rather smaller locos, but 60163 (an A1 4-6-2) has been in service for some time - and became the first steam loco since BR days to run at 100mph (a fully sanctioned test to prove 90mph operation). Did you know that the Gresley pacifics which kicked the A1's lineage off were originally inspired by the Pennsy K4? Well you do now!! 🙂

[@lynwoodreed9032]

The scary part is that we can't do today what they did in the 1940's'

[@njlauren]

Not really. One of the reasons no one has the ability to cast such a large casting is because there was no demand for it. The T1 had to be a big beast to get the kind of power desired, diesel locomotives can work in an MU configuration that gives plenty of power. Modern materials and techniques have supplanted casting as well. In the 1940s computers used vacuum tubes, today your smart phone has more computing power than the entire NASA in 1969...and no one makes vacuum tubes in the US,hasn't for like 50 years.

[@ThunderClawShocktrix]

@@njlauren well there are still tub amps being made but its much smaller industy than it was in the 1940s thats for sure

[@njlauren]

@ThunderClawShocktrix Tube amps are an audiophile hobbiest thing ( I know I have one). But the point is unless something has a reason to exist there is nothing wrong with it disappearing necessarily. If tomorrow vacuum tube technology was lost few people would notice, other than some guitar players and audiophiles . When talking about the t1 project and not having the ability to cast large objects , I have heard things like 'well, what of there is a war', as if WWII is going to happen again.

[@how_to_hallagon1]

I thought they already made the frame

[@jonkeau5155]

They made the smaller parts and started tacking them together, now they’ve actually done the welding and completed it

[@Mauscmkwk]

Here a dumb request I bet they won’t make a full scale replica of the s1

[@chooch1764]

S1 had a lot of restrictions on where it can go. Only between Chicago, Illinois and Crestline, Ohio. Also, it was too long on turntables and it had a good chance of derailing when going through switches.

[@Mauscmkwk]

@ like I said a stupid request

[@JonathanGoon]

Probably quicker to make a mock up than a real functioning locomotive. Especially with it's running gripes.

[@yeoldeseawitch]

@@chooch1764 would a dreyfuss hudson be a more reasonable request?

[@chooch1764]

@@yeoldeseawitch Sure. Please don’t leave it up to the T1 Trust to do it, as they will be operating and maintaining 5550, once it’s complete. Someone else should start a Dreyfuss Hudson trust, but the folks at the T1 Trust can give newbies advice.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

All this effort because no one thought of preserving such a unique locomotive (maybe they think of it but took the easy way). Yes I know it's easy to say and blame with the benefit of hindsight but this was no ordinary loco and s you can see, the facility to cast the frame no longer exists.

[@williamshanaman5098]

Have you engineered the problem with the front driving truck being notoriously slippery? That was their issue in passenger service

[@TheT1Trust]

Yes, the issue was engineers being properly trained.

[@seanlathbury5410]

Great video. Your comment about not having the casting capability that we had back in the 1940s……this should not be. The US should be better than that.

[@NathanMaltba]

The capability is still there, it's just not cost effective. You have to factor in the cost of the moulds; the cost of material for multiple casts, as one flaw and it would need to be redone; the cost transporting the oversized cast to the production facility. All those costs would skyrocket the budget that they already barely have... It's much cheaper to just weld the frame together as funds come into their budget.

[@CarlGerhardt1]

@@NathanMaltba For mass production, it would be cheaper.

[@James-Railyard]

My only hope/concern is will the class 1’s allow it to be run as it’s being built to do and on what portion of the lines will it be run? Obviously for the speed record they’d need the NEC but it’s best home would be between Pitt and Chicago. I’m excited as anyone else to see this massive beast done but I’m just concerned like a lot of other people. Where will it run and will they restrict her speed on the main?

[@chooch1764]

The T1 5550 will go on class ones via ferry moves. T1 excursions will be on regional and short line railroads.

[@rustynailer8655]

Its the only one that can beat the British LNER Class A4 4468 Mallard. World record holder for steam locomotives at 126 mph. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXyYkoulq6t0qLc Great stuff, best of luck from the UK. I hope you try for the record, it would be brilliant to see.

[@TheHoveHeretic]

I wonder where any attempt would be made?

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Wouldn't be a hoot if the welded frame ends up being the fix for the T1's notorious slipperiness?

[@TheT1Trust]

It wasn't slippery, that was caused by engineers not being properly trained on how to run a Superpower locomotive. This is well documented, but ignored by most railfans. We suggest reading the reports by the N&W that leased some PRR T1 locomotives. That report shows the slippery rumors weren't actually an issue

[@schwarzermoritz]

Gonna be real fun when this hits the test track and the Brits loose their precious precious record😂

[@georgecarter838]

It's great seeing the can-do spirit alive and well in this day and age. I just hope they can find a friendly railroad that will allow it to run on their track.

[@chooch1764]

The T1 Trust has said multiple times that they have invites from shirt lines and regional railroads to operate 5550, when it’s complete. Railroads in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York state, even down in the Carolinas.

[@georgecarter838]

@@chooch1764 That may be, but remember, friendly CEO's come and go with time and just because one gives their okay now, the next one in can easily nix that promise. Not trying to be a killjoy, just saying.

[@chooch1764]

@ but still MULTIPLE railroads invite the T1 Trust to operate 5550 on. They shouldn’t have to worry about finding a place to run it. Besides, it’s mostly the class one railroads management changes frequently.