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Pennsy T1 Build at Halfway Mark

Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust is building a brand new 4-4-4-4 steam locomotive.

Pennsy T1 Build at Halfway Mark

A non-profit group’s effort to build a brand new Pennsylvania Railroad T1 4-4-4-4 steam locomotive is at the halfway mark. The Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust announced its progress on social media earlier this month. 

The Pennsylvania Railroad had 52 streamlined T1 locomotives; 25 were built by the PRR itself at the railroad’s Altoona shops and 27 were built by Baldwin. The locomotives were built in the 1940s but only lasted a decade before diesels took over. None of the locomotives were saved. In 2014, inspired by the efforts to build new main line locomotives in England, the T1 Trust was formed to build the 53rd Pennsy 4-4-4-4, which will be numbered 5550. 

Locomotive 5550’s main frame is nearly complete and work will soon start on the cylinders. Once cylinders are done, assembly will begin at a yet-to-be-named location. The group estimates that the locomotive will be under steam by 2030. —Justin Franz 

This article was posted on: January 22, 2025