5550 Boiler Construction Fund Custom Amount

The
PRR T1 Trust is announcing the order of the first and second boiler
course for new build 4-4-4-4 #5550. The order was placed with
Continental Fabricators out of St. Louis, MO on January 26, 2018. This
is a major milestone, as the boiler courses represent the largest parts
yet built for the iconic streamlined duplex locomotive. The 2 sections
are over 93” in diameter and nearly 12 feet long. The boiler code steel
is 1” thick and weighs over 12,000lbs. All welds will be x-rayed to
ensure perfect seams. The sections will include wash out plugs and
openings for water delivery.

The PRR T1 Trust is pleased to
partner with Continental Fabricators. A strong player in Railway
Preservation, Continental Fabricators is working on 3 other steam
locomotive boilers in conjunction with Diversified Rail Services. They
[****CONTINENTAL AND DIVERSIFIED BOTH?****] have been providing boiler
repair to the steam locomotive industries since the 1980’s.

The
PRR T1 Trust boiler engineering team lead by Wolf Fengler Vice
President of FMW[****…WE NEED TO SPELL OUT THE ACRONYM…****] Solutions
has completed the engineering on the boiler courses and is currently
finalizing firebox calculation to meet and exceed current ASME
regulations. He is assisted by T1 Trust Engineering Committee members
Gary Bensman, Dave Griner, Scott McGill and Jason Johnson.

With
the plan to manufacture the boiler moving full steam ahead, your
support is needed now more than ever to maintain momentum. We would like
to challenge our members and friends to raise the $25,000 necessary to
complete the third and final cylindrical boiler section. The goal is to
have donations pledged by April 15. If funds can be pledged by then, we
can have 25,000lbs of boiler complete by this Summer. Our goals move at
the speed of funding raised by supporters.

If you would like
to help the T1 Trust succeed, please consider making a contribution now
in support of the Boiler. With your help, It Can Be Done!

Photo by Gary Bensman, Diversified Rail Services

Photo shows Continental Fabricators rolling a large 16ft diameter plate for another customer showing their capabilities.