Heavy PRR Steam
- Thread starter e-paw
- Start date
I didn't see it mentioned in the Q2 and Q1 discussion, but the Q1 had a set of drivers reversed. The Q1 was to the Q2 what the S1 was to the T1...the unique forerunner.
It is well worth noting that the Pennsy was AWOL from the early years of the superpower era, not entering the superpower era until 1939. The PRR's attention was focused on their electrifying projects during this time period. They then shifted from simple, plain jane power to exotic steam (which generally was a failure...despite being interesting). The Q2 was the best of the newer Pennsy steam, and they lasted less than a decade...with the J1s (a 1930 Lima/C&O designed 2-10-4) out living them (the T1s had short lives as well). Personally, I love the S1...talk about an awesome locomotive.
I'm surprised there aren't more Pennsy modelers with the massive variety of commercial offerings out there. It is tempting to have nearly everything available.
It is well worth noting that the Pennsy was AWOL from the early years of the superpower era, not entering the superpower era until 1939. The PRR's attention was focused on their electrifying projects during this time period. They then shifted from simple, plain jane power to exotic steam (which generally was a failure...despite being interesting). The Q2 was the best of the newer Pennsy steam, and they lasted less than a decade...with the J1s (a 1930 Lima/C&O designed 2-10-4) out living them (the T1s had short lives as well). Personally, I love the S1...talk about an awesome locomotive.
I'm surprised there aren't more Pennsy modelers with the massive variety of commercial offerings out there. It is tempting to have nearly everything available.
There was an interesting article in the Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Society Magazine about Crestline, Ohio a few months back. The S1 was based there and had to have it's own stall added to the roundhouse to accomodate it's length. It entered from the rear as it was too long for the turntable (It was turned on a loop).
Matt
Crestline-Chicago, right? Cool to hear about its stall on the engine house.
In spring '07, the NKP 765 had a test run on the old Pennsy main out of Ft. Wayne. They only came east as far as Van Wert, but my dad and I headed east of VW to an old gravel pit loading facility which from a distance looks like a 10,000 ton coaling dock directly on the main (it's actually about 15' south of the main). When they didn't come, we finally called up the tool car crew and headed back to VW. Unbelievable to think about The Big Engine roaring through that very spot...with a train of Tuscan Red varnish trailing...
My dad was curator of the museum in Altoona 20 years ago, it was so cool to learn about the S1, T1s, and Q2s during that time period. Shame the S1 didn't operate around the Curve.
I don't know a lot about the S1, but I suspect that it may have been too long for that curve!
On a related note, I don't follow the Pennsy real closely, so was surprised to recently learn that the T's *were* used in Western PA (and maybe further east?). Surprised because that area just doesn't seem like a good fit for the design.
BTW, I forgot to mention this earlier: thanks for the information about why the Pennsylvania sat out the superpower era. I'd always assumed it was simply inertia.
E-Paw - apologies for the thread hijack!
Matt
On a related note, I don't follow the Pennsy real closely, so was surprised to recently learn that the T's *were* used in Western PA (and maybe further east?). Surprised because that area just doesn't seem like a good fit for the design.
BTW, I forgot to mention this earlier: thanks for the information about why the Pennsylvania sat out the superpower era. I'd always assumed it was simply inertia.
E-Paw - apologies for the thread hijack!
Matt
Crestline, Ohio. Home to PRR big steam. Sadly the efforts to preserve the roundhouse were unsuccessful due largely to an investor trying to make a windfall profit from the effort. The building was demolished in 2007.
http://crestlineprr.com/index.html
http://www.crestlineroundhouse.org/
Dave
