Can we build a NEW mainline steam locomotive in the United States? | Restoration Roundtable

Can a new mainline steam locomotive be built in the United States in the 21st Century? The T1 Trust and strategic partners at FMW Solutions and throughout the rail industry are answering that question one piece at a time. Join us for a detailed discussion on the steady recreation of a Pennsylvania Railroad T1 steam locomotive from our steam mechanic and engineering experts and learn about the challenges and rewards inherent in revisiting this iconic locomotive design.

I can sympathize with old drawings and how the railroad liked to dimension things... Seems the drafting pen was in one hand, and the bottle in the other. lol! Loved this roundtable. Excited to see what's next.

I randomly clicked on this video and had no idea this kind of project even existed. Amazing. You're really gonna build a modernized T1?! Amazing. Can't wait to see this thing with my own eyes someday.

The tornado project brought a new era of steam restoration, is crazy we went from building a a1 peppercorn, to a massive prr t1 and lner p2. Props to everyone involved in the project and good luck.

A cautionary tale from the UK about how small things can trip you up. I heard this 30 plus years ago, so hopefully the issue has been resolved, but just in case: The Flying Scotsman had been brought back into service, all the big terrifying things had been sorted, and she was pulling main line trains, but they started getting bearings running hot. (Local Steam Railways did not have this problem as they were only doing short hops between stations, and manually oiling. Main line Express Trains do not stop). Eventually they worked out that the lubrication system was at fault. The original method was a pipe, fed through with a flax wick, connected to an oil reservoir. They had used a modern synthetic wick. So they replaced the wick, but still had problems: Oil. They needed a specific viscosity oil that would match the flax, and drip at the required rate. Luckily, one of the old engine shed workers happened to have a can of the correct grade oil that he had liberated when the the works shut down. From that they were able to get the formulation, only to find that it was no longer made. One of the big Oil Companies stepped in an made a one-off batch for them, and they were back up and running. How they manage all these years on I do not know! I know that the "Big Boy" still runs in the US, so I am guessing that they must have some solution for that problem, but beware the small things that you just don't think about, to come out and bite you! Hope you-all succeed.

The fact the PRR T1 Trust are on the verge of pulling off the unthinkable, the answer is yes. With the right people who have the knowledge about what they are doing and also having the adequate funding and industries to contract the work out to; it can be done. If you want to get a new rebuild started after the T1, the biggest one to do next would be a New York Central J3a Hudson.

Well it should be possible in the USA, we were to do it over here in the UK, The Tornado was built from scratch based on a modernised existing design and with another large standard guage locomotive to a similar design is in progress. So good luck hope to see your project completed in the not too distant future.

Honestly really refreshing to see all the upgrades that are going into this locomotive. Keep up the good work!

The can part isn’t the question. It’s possible. The probability was the issue in question. You made it further than I imagined. May your progress continue.

I’m digging Matt’s collection of Kegs and his CO2 management system. He’s the master of serious gas and steam pressure!

I have to say, after watching this video, it made me realize how much of a difference this project is making in rail preservation. What really spoke to me was at @23:44

A great update on the T1 project, I really think these people can pull it off, they are very passionate about what they're doing. The re-engineering of the frames is a huge effort in itself, the one piece casting was something far more complicated and cutting edge than the plate frames used in the UK till the end of steam. Actually North British Locomotive had their frames for South African Railways classes 25 and GMAM cast in the US as the customer demanded this and no foundry in the UK could do such large castings. Well thought in the proces is not only a fabricated frame hold up to the stresses of operation, but with maintainability in mind as well, not all mechanics are short, skinny and flexible, so good accessibility of components is a real concern. The T1 trust is also lighting up another very important aspect in preservation as a whole, that is pulling the industry in. In the UK the industry supporting the huge preservation movement is large, some companies almost completely depending on orders from the preservationists. But also regular metal shops and engineering firms embrace the idea as very suitable for learning purposes, many apprentices learning some aspects of the trade in a very oldskool way, but with incorporation of modern machining and construction tech. So very good to see that you found some firms seeing manufacturing parts for the T1 as a challenge and not as a nuisance hindering their of the shelf mass production. The T1 trust is going to be the first preservation/new build group in the US getting a donation from me, with greetings from the Netherlands and success with this awesome project.

Thank you guys for bringing steam locomotives back to life and back from Extinction God bless your souls for that fact just do me a huge gigantic favor what does FMW stand for thank you for all you do keep up the great work

Yesterday I stood in front of Mallard at the UK national railway museum and thought I dare anyone to beat that, now I have found your site In some ways I hope you do!

I ran across this video and at first thought yiu were going to build a miniature "Live Steamer". I saw the locomotive and was thinking, Nahhhhhh, they're not really going to BUILD one are they? But you ARE! I'm so excited to see the progress you've already made and can't wait to see the real thing! Ive been a railroad buff since I was a kid and am surprised that I never heard of this project before. I wish you all the greatest success!

It is one big project to design and build a large new steam locomotive and pattern it after a steam locomotive that was made many years ago. This is a unique project because all the other large steam locomotives that are in operating condition are old steam locomotives from the steam era that had extensive restoration work done on them to make them operational.

Certainly can be done, and the pride it brings to all involved to bring one of these spendid giants back to life for all to see operating once more is enormous. For posterity rather than simply being a cold static exhibit.

Crazy-mad respect for what you guys did with USSC #148 (especially given what you had to work with, both the remains of the locomotive and the lack of drawings), and not surprised you're involved with this one as well. Looking forward to when this one is completed.

FMW and T-1 trust is a power house, if I ever win the lottery funding won't be an issue. This project shows the endless possibilities of modern manufacturing technology. Imagine a brand new design, 2-8-8-6 (like an allegheny on crack), 350 psi. Maybe titanium pistons, piston rods, titanium cross heads with needle bearings, poppet valves, full roller bearing running gear, 600 mile service range and 80+ mph top speed. Call her the Claytor class.

Godspeed to the T1 Trust! 😁😁 Love to see it complete!