Pennsy T1 LOCOMOTIVES

I'm trying to talk George Kohs into a run of PRR T1s.   Several exciting prototypes could be done.....including  6110/ 6111 both as built and modernized.  The Buick, as built 5500s. The 5547, T1a with piston valves, and the best...5500 with FRS rotary "B" poppets, as she was after 1948.   I'm a fan of the Sunset 3rd model in any version, and they were available in both 2 and 3 rail too.   The Bennett Levin model in 2 rail is mighty good looking as well.

I'm  sure the kohs model would be fantastic. but I won't be able to afford it.

I owned a Custom Brass T1 and recommend against it.  The tender is several scale feet too long, the rivets are oversized, and most importantly the gearboxes don't hold up.  After less than a year I had to replace them with ones from NWSL.  From the perspective of appearance and running qualities I recommend the Sunset 3rd Rail T1's.  They imported models of the raked nosed prototype T1's (6119, 6111), the as built production models with "Buick portholes", and the modified version with front ladders and no portholes.  They are nicely built and run very well.  My only disappointment is that in offering the circa 1947-52 "modified" T1 Sunset did not model the tender with cut down tender sides (in the area of the tank top) as was the practice in that time frame.  I've thought about cutting mine down but haven't done so as I didn't want to risk the very nice paint and lettering job.

Ed Rappe

I always thought the T1 to be ugly, but being a closet Pennsy freak, i changed my mind. Bought a Williams for $500 (a bargain at the time), converted it, painted and decalled it, and could not be happier.

Taught my brother how to 2- rail them, and he and Vince Waterman 2-railed fifty of them.  I have a complete set of drivers ready for the 51st conversion, but they are not cheap - we charged for labor, not value.

I did not care for portholes, so modified the front end.  Believe it or not, one of my best- running models.  Goes like the wind!

Here it is - probably less than $500 today if you can find one.

I have seen a Custom Brass T-1 years ago at a club. Back then, in the 80's, it was going for around $1900.00 The owner tried like **** to get that thing to run, even painted it up and worked on all of the causes of the short circuits. Still couldn't get it to run properly. I have a Weaver version I paid $425 for. It is locked into neutral and I have to get that fixed one day. Probably will pull all of the DCS stuff out, replace it with a simple e-unit and run it. not a bad model for the money.

I've seen the Sunnyside T-1. A nice model for the detail, but in my opinion far too expensive (around $3000.00 back then), considering it was mostly die-cast.

Robert - I believe it was of entirely brass sheet and applied castings. Don't think it was die cast, unless you are referring to the lost wax investment castings. Yes, it has been priced at 3000.00, but believe the recession and diminishing number of steam fans is bringing the price down.

i know where you can get a scale lionel for under 750.00..if you interested in it..i can email you about it..as for brass at times id seen weaver brass T1 going for 600...i got 3 prr 3rd rail brass engines..all run great...S1 and q2 duplex;s and s2 turbine..my S1 is a smooth runner too,,and the T1 has the same drive system as my s1...

I have a Williams brass version I purchased for under $500.00.  It came with the factory sound from QSI which is terrible, but at least it doesn't work most of the time.  The locomotive is a smooth runner, but I need to get the spring on the pony truck replaced so that it has the right amount of tension on the track without it lifting the drivers off the rail head.  Currently is doesn't have enough tension and it floats a little freely. I've also considered just weighting the truck too. 

Overall, it is a decent model, but lacks the detail of the 3rd Rail version and is not prototypically correct having the portholes and the later modified skirting.  For now it lives on a mantle with a Walthers baggage car and observation car and serves as a nice display piece until I someday get to that project.  It would be a good candidate for an electronics upgrade, but I don't know if I would personally spend the money to get it converted to 2 rail.  Just my personal opinion.  You might be ahead finding a 3rd rail one in 2 rail and come out with a better model for less money.

I could be wrong on that, but the one I saw was painted up w/o decals. It looked real nice. A friend of mine had 2 of them but he said he couldn't get them to run on a wide radius layout. I saw one on ebay not too long ago. I forgot what was asked, but I remember something over $2500.00. I liked the Custom Brass one  but again, it was a lousy runner. I think Sunset re-issued their model with more details and I saw one on ebay, and that also looked nice.

Joesy tried to email you, won't go thru  please let me know about theT1  you mentioned.  Thanks Franky Ogee

Sunset did their T1's around 12 years ago.  Three prototype versions were offered in 2 and 3 rail.  The total production run was 220 models.  I DCC my 2 rail "modernized" production version and it will handle a 9 car heavyweight passenger train (mostly PSC Pullmans) up the 2.2% Horseshoe Curve grade unassisted.  Add a car and it needs a  helper.  Like most Sunset 3rd Rail steam locomotives Scott Mann struck a nice balance between detail, performance, and price.  Three months ago a mint 3 rail Sunset 3rd Rail model of pre-production T1 6110 was listed on eBay and I was fortunate to buy it for $599.  At some point I may have it 2 railed but for now it looks great over my desk.  A factor favoring Sunset over Williams and Weaver T1's is that their model of the 50 production T1's correctly carry  train phone gear on the tender. If you're in 2 rail I highly recommend any of the 3 Sunset T1 versions. 

Ed Rappe

A factor favoring Sunset over Williams and Weaver T1's is that their model of the 50 production T1's correctly carry  train phone gear on the tender.

also the Weaver t1's do NOT have the number boards and marker lights lit up on the top boiler side cowlings

franky..its  joseywales_72569@yahoo.com.

Here is a picture of my Williams T1.  A bit of a fantasy scene, but it was fun.

NICE LOCO

 I have the older MTH T1 3r in a box in storage (sell for $500?).

I don't run it as it's three rail. I never built a three rail loop as I planned. I thought it sounded good when I tested it. I imagine it was good for the day when it was released. It will probably get a PS2 or 3 conversion someday. I ran into so many deals that there are others on the list of upgrading that have priority.

 I like anything Pennsy.

Thankyou that is a good offer but I already bought a three rail,  still looking for a 2 rail

Right-Of-Way (ROW) made a 3-rail T-1 about 15-years ago.  They are good runners but lack detail and modern electronics.

Jan

I posted the same message on the other T-1 thread, but the latest message discussing the Right of Way T-1 suggests that I repeat my offer here.  I have a beautiful ROW T-1 which runs well, comes with the original box, and unlike every other T-1 has the ability to operate on 0-54 curves.  It is brass, not diecast.  Here is a photo.I can take more detailed ones for anyone that is seriously interested.  Original cost in the early 1990s was something like $1900.  I'll sell mine for $525 plus shipping.

bob will the drivers you have for the williamsT1   Do you think they might work or fit the weaver T1  let me know the cost, maybe I can make them fit,