Pennsylvania Railroad 1361: Spirit of Altoona

[@supergenesisstation1991]

Between this engine and the 5550 PRR T1, representation for the Pennsylvania railroad is slowly coming back

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

No matter how unlucky 1361 and some other locomotives are, they will still always be loved by all of us railfans, and she doesn't deserve to be scrapped

[@BMMEC6000]

1361 was in no way unlucky really. She was actually extremely lucky. She was saved from scrap and is now gonna steam again!

[@Braydontheconfidentengine76]

I bet bird brain wouldn't agree

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@therailroadguy470 no I mean 1361 was unlucky because of her extremely short excursion career after her first restoration

[@BMMEC6000]

@@adventuresofamtrakcascades301 That still isn’t really unlucky. There have been locomotives with much more unlucky stories

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@therailroadguy470 I know. But this one was probably the first one you came into my mind, and it was so baffling for her because her first excursions in the 80s were very popular

[@josebenitez6925]

Contracting FMW Solutions to restore the locomotive was a VERY smart move because they are absolute experts at restoring steam locomotives. For those of you who don’t know, FMW Solutions was the firm that helped with the restoration of Florida East Coast 148 and now they are helping with the restoration of Atlantic Coast Line 1504, and are also helping with the driving wheel replacement on Pere Marquette 1225. No doubt that FMW Solutions will help the volunteers at making 1361 look her very best once she’s completed.

[@trainzmania2022ricardo]

Hopefully and no doubt that 1361 will run again, and hopefully she will be able to double head or meet the new build T1 5550 when’s it’s finished.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

That'd be a major sight that (I would expect by the way) would have drawn literally every single Pennsylvania Railroad fan all around to see it, no doubt at all

[@RichardJR1361]

She'll show the doubters who gets the last laugh.

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Amen!

[@glhx2112]

When things went silent back around 2007 or so, a lot of us assumed it was over for K4 1361. Millions of Dollars had been spent by that time on this "restoration" , with sometimes comical results/updates concerning change of ownership/management/funding shortages, with lots of anger back and forth between those supposedly in charge, in the know, the press, and the local (Altoona) public. Millions of Dollars spent just to be told the previous repairs were no good or incorrect and more money was needed. At one point we were not sure where all the parts were. It was insane. Then silence. Then word started getting out that the project was slowly progressing and it was being done correctly by persons who actually seem to know what they are doing this time. There really does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel now and that is great news.

[@TrainGuru]

Good to know, thanks for the extra information. Looks like the project is finally going to be finished.

[@chooch1764]

I’m so glad you understand the whole story of this restoration and I’m thankful for your support of this project.

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

This engine has a family connection with me my great great great grandfather was an engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad during his career he might’ve had the opportunity to drive 1361 when she was in revenue service to this day I have his original Railroad rule books and his original 101 year old railroaders watch When the restoration is finished I look forward to bringing my grandmother and my family to see my old friend up close in person a link to the legacy of my grandpappy kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5qnmZt4j7aXqsUsi=IF8ruyhylBOCdxQE

[@Collinthetrainfanatic]

The video is excellent and I hope that PRR 1361 will return to steam soon

[@TranscontinentalRailfan]

Awesome video for 1361’s 105th birthday! This is the number one steam locomotive restoration I’m looking forward to seeing happen. I have donated regularly and I’ll continue to donate until she’s under steam again.

[@SorynsSoul]

The fact that this beautiful locomotive was released on the day of my birthday is absolutely incredible. I pray that one day we’ll be able to see this beautiful engine run under her own steam again.

[@Braydontheconfidentengine76]

The K4s are my favorite even to the point that I made a google slide about it

[@Jonny_Productions]

Very nice, very based

[@blackrocks8413]

great to learn about PRR and the steam era. Iread about the water scoop on the Atlantic engine also known as the Lindburg train. That scoop story a real piece of RR hist. 105...but more to come

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

I wished that PRR 1361 was still running

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

Don't worry it will run soon

[@StephentrainboyRailfanbrony]

I love this video and I can’t wait to see Pennsylvania railroad k4 1361 operating again

[@travislostaglia8861]

I road on this train in 1987 every kid that was in elementary school in Altoona did. We went from the station in Altoona to Duncansville and back about 45 minutes altogether. It’s a pretty cool memory to have I hope everything works out and I get another ride someday

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

Well she may have been unlucky in the short term, but in the long run, she may well have been the luckiest of all K4s class locomotives.

[@TrainGuru]

Agreed.

[@MrJHarley17]

From Altoona here, was just a kid in the 80's but got to see 1361 sitting at the horseshoe

[@isaaccope8580]

I love this video of Pennsylvania Railroad 1361. PRR 1361 is my number 1 PRR K4 engine. I hope the Pennsylvania Railroad 1361 returns to steam soon.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

The Pennsylvania railroad had an impressive roster of steam power and the k4 class was one of the top quality passenger service locomotives, I am glad that two PRR k4 engines still exist today and are preserved. I would really like to see PRR engine 1361 make a return to operation once again as it's a shame that this locomotive only had one year of operation in excursion service ; before the locomotive experienced severe operation issues and had to be removed from service.

[@centamangila1217]

MOF, the Pennsy K4s was the inspiration for British locomotive designer Sir Nigel Gresley's fine Pacifics.

[@JayTheTrainFan]

Happy birthday PRR 1361

[@VinceBusVlogger]

Hey great improvement! what mic you use?

[@TrainGuru]

It is a Travor USB Microphone. But I just improved my audio editing skills. Final Cut Pro X was a GREAT improvement over iMovie. Just look at the difference between 1361 and Union Pacific 618.

[@sp786fanboy9]

I’d say 1361 is an underdog in this whole thing.

[@kadedoesanimation]

This was posted on my birthday so this makes my day better

[@peteengard9966]

2.6 million dollars to rebuild a locomotive that was built for 40 grand. Inflation gone wild. Hopefully one day it will be pounding rail again.

[@chooch1764]

Grants were made throughout the years during previous restoration attempts. This a whole new campaign.

[@CaioValadaoo2010]

Nice video , im a fan of the PRR K4's and i cant wait to 1361 be back to steam , could you please tell me the music that starts playing at 1:25 please?

[@TrainGuru]

Bitters at the Saloon

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

Fun fact: April 9th is my birthday

[@colestrains1]

5:26 Is that the aero train in the background?

[@chooch1764]

Yes

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

is 1361 exited to be steamed.

[@wobblinwheel]

They couldn't even manage to mount the front number plate STRAIGHT, how could they possibly manage to restore it to operating condition...?

[@TrainGuru]

They’ve hired FMW Solutions to finish the restoration. If they finishes US Sugar 148, they can certainly finish 1361.

[@chooch1764]

Have fun trackside taking pictures of 1361 when it rolls out again. @wobblinwheel

[@sirboomsalot4902]

@@wobblinwheel Completely different people doing the restoration this time around.

[@Spikeman50]

There’s a tootsie toy Pennsylvania 1361 it’s made in 1930 I actually have one

[@rogerlollar4325]

RMM's baby

[@rail-ryder7135]

I hope it keeps it postwar look when it's restored

[@chooch1764]

It sure will.

[@danielboone3770]

😍😍😍😍

[@Gilstrains]

👍🚂🚞🚞👍

[@mumumaaaah]

What will be the next locomotive video?

[@TrainGuru]

Sooner than later.

[@LegendRails]

I hope one day this locomotive will come back soon

[@TrainGuru]

She will come back.

[@blairterry9435]

And soon! The restoration is nearing completion inch by inch. Mile by mile and soon she’s be on the mainline pulling passengers and tourists on her old stomping grounds. I’ll so be there to ride her!

[@KPen3750]

This loco holds a special place in my heart, both as a railfan and more importantly as a PA native. I always felt robbed by her troublesome breakdown and early history, but knowing and regularly following FMW Solutions, I have hope that sometime in my life, she will run again.

[@Rebel9668]

Sounds like a big money pit.

[@TrainGuru]

Any steam locomotive restoration is a money pit. But they are always a labor of love, and that’s all that matters.

[@chooch1764]

May seem like it to you @Rebel9668, but many definitely disagree with you because we want to see it run. This restoration will be worth it at the end. If you are not out trackside with your phone camera ready when 1361 is back into service, I’ll be amazed.

[@Rebel9668]

@@chooch1764 In as much as I live in Southern Indiana, I can pretty much guarantee I won't be there, much less with a cell phone as if I do any videoing I use a dedicated camera. I'm not saying it won't be nice to have another one running, I'm just saying why did it become a financial burden to the State as opposed to donors who are the ones wanting to see it run.

[@chooch1764]

@@Rebel9668 The two surviving K4s are the official steam locomotives of Pennsylvania. These locomotives were the backbone of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s passenger trains. Years ago, the state was willing to send grants toward the project. The main issue was as the locomotive was taken apart for rebuilding, more parts were discovered they needed to be replaced. Fortunately, some pieces of the restoration were completed at Steamtown years ago, with one example being the backhead of the firebox. The previous management is no longer involved and a new and more dedicated group of board members, volunteers, and even FMW Solutions have been involved since 2021. They will get this project done. Even if it takes millions of dollars to complete, it will be worth it once the restoration is done. This locomotive will be used for educational programs, Steam demonstrations, and excursions on other railroads. The museum already has invites/agreements with the Western Maryland Scenic, Colebrookdale Railroad, likely the Everett Railroad, and others. Railfans from around the world will flock over to Altoona, including other naysayers that have called it a “money pit” or saying “it’ll never run again”. Generating millions of dollars that will not only benefit the museum, but also Blair County and other places 1361 will go. Honestly, this shouldn’t even be called a money pit to begin with, because there is so much potential in this restoration and so many great things will come in the future. Just for that comment you made, another donation will go to this restoration by me.

[@jackandsusangerstner1369]

This is terrible, why can’t you get this engine finished, it’s been to long, please get it done, stop procrastinating, many other steam engines have been done that are larger and more expensive ( 4014 ). GET HER DONE..

[@TrainGuru]

I agree she should’ve been completed sooner. But the Railroaders Memorial Museum only has so much money. They will get her done, but it takes time, and more importantly, money.

[@chooch1764]

Guess what @jackandsusangerstner1369, not every steam locomotive restoration goes as planned. More parts had to be replaced than the workers previously thought, which is actually not uncommon. Also, this restoration runs on donations. The more donations made, the sooner it will operate. I’ve donated hundreds of dollars to this project and I’ll keep donating until 1361 steams again.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

​@@chooch1764 and 1361s restoration story is in my opinion the best example of what it really takes to actually restore a piece of machine, especially a locomotive

[@DaMan-jt6dh]

@jackandsusangerstner1369 why don't you get off your ass and go help restore a steam locomotive instead of demand it being done? Don't be so entitled