Some PRR T1 research

[Utley26]

Been doing some research to help feed my recent obsession on the PRR T1.  From what I've read I always thought they were completely out of service by 1952; even the infallible (haha) Wikipedia page indicates "all were reportedly scrapped by 1953".  But going back through some of the old PRR "Assignment of Locomotives" documents on the Keystone Crossings website tells a slightly different story.  Probably old hat to many of you, but I found it interesting:  

The assignment roster for April 1, 1953 lists 47 T1's.  15 were assigned to the Middle Division, 4 to the Eastern division (5501, 5502, 5535, and 5538), 9 at the Panhandle (including 6111), 5 at Pittsburgh division, and 14 at the Columbus division.  Here's the document: 

http://kc.pennsyrr.com/motiveops/downloads/mp229_530401.pdf  

The number drops to 8 T1's in 1954.  But even as late as April 1, 1955 the same eight T1's are still listed on the roster.  The middle division listed 5543, 5545, 5547 (T1a), and 5549; and the Pittsburgh division listed 5542, 5544, 5546, and 5548:

http://kc.pennsyrr.com/motiveops/downloads/mp229_550401.pdf

One question I have - when a loco is listed on the assignment list, does that mean it was active?  Could they have been shopped and out of service at this location? 

All the T1's are gone by 1956.   

Interesting to see how rapidly the number of steam locomotives drops precipitously across each year, with the exponential increase of diesels.  Still a lot of J1's, M1's, I1sa's, even K4's on the 1956 list though.   

[daveklepper]

By 1952, T-1's were really reserve power, wtih the Broadway, Spirit of St. Louis, General. amd Red Arrow regularly hauled by diesels.  Whether the active T-1's were regularly used on less important trains or just held as protection power or a little of both, is a good question.

[feltonhill]

Quote from a Summary for Board Meeting to be held 3/12/52, Finance Docket Item 2, T-1 passenger steam locomotives (this is a 2-page memo written 3/11/52).

 "At his point, all 52 locomotives are out of service - 33 stored unserviceable awaiting repairs, and 19 stored in working order."  (Hagley Library Acc.1810, Box 326).

Based on this it looks like it's fair to say that all T1's were out of service by that date.  Many of the T1's sat around waiting for their equipment trusts to expire before they were scrapped.

Make sure you read various T1 articles in PRRT&HS magazine, The Keystone  and N&WHS magazine, The Arrow.  They contain teh most recent and extensive research on the T1.  I've posted a list of these (and others)  before on this forum but if you missed it, I can repost.

[K4sPRR]

Go to the home page of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society, then to the section of their magazine the Keystone.  You can purchase back issues to include the ones that had some extensive conversations and articles about the T1.  Each issue listed has its table of contents shown.  They do get into some interesting info.

Being on an assignment list mean being active, no.   Too bad at least one was never saved.