The 1223 was a VERY impressive engine. She lasted all the way up to the 1940s when all other American railroads LONG abandoned the 4-4-0. She had a lot of mileage under her belt and lived a happy retirement on the Strasburg until 1989 where she now sits in silence right across from her partner at Strasburg PRR 7002 (It's actually 8063 but don't worry bout it)

Actually, it would probably be more accurate to say that Edward's Exploit is the British (or Sudrian), version of Broadway Limited, as this movie came out long before the Rev. W Awdry or Britt Alcroft ever came up with the story of Edward's Exploit. (It is entirely possible, though, that this movie inspired that story, as the Rev. Awdry did use real-life events as a basis for some of the original Railway Series stories).

I wish she could return to steam too! The problem is that the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (which owns the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania where 1223 resides today) has become stricter about loaning their steam locomotives for excursion operations on the Strasburg Rail Road. In December 1989, Strasburg Rail Road acquired new equipment that could scan the boiler and the firebox of its steam locomotives. When 1223 and 7002 ( a PRR E2 class 4-4-2 that was also being loaned for excursion service) were scanned, the results revealed that the firebox sheets of the locomotives were too deteriorated for operation. If Strasburg didn't invest in this technology sooner, the locomotives could've experienced a boiler explosion. Both locomotives were retired immediately and were returned to the Railroad Museum of PA in 1990. Since then, the PA Historical and Museum Commission hasn't allowed any steam locomotives from the Railroad Museum of PA to be restored for excursion operations.

@@HarryWarren1223 The reason is that the museum wants the locomotives as original as possible or to retain most of their originality as they were built. The overhauls needed would take away a huge portion of originality, seeing as they are the only members of their class left in existance

Also, the FRA has frowned upon the restoration of Belpaire fireboxes due to their alleged lack of strength.

@@OldsVistaCruiser then why is 5550 getting a belpaire? I heard that those fire boxes were better for strength. Why else would England have them on so many of their engines?

@@James-Railyard - No idea. Why aren't the PRR locomotives at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania being repaired?

This whole scene is like Edward's Exploit. The crew are all doubting 1223's ability just to start the heavy train, but it does it anyway!

I agree

I got to see Pennsylvania Railroad 1223 displayed at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, back when I was a little child, and later in September 5th 2021. Along with Pennsylvania Railroad 7002.

Yea I also thought that was very unrealistic in this film, but it's just the way Hollywood did it.

DMRAILROAD759 this clip reminds me of “Edward’s Exploit”

Me too! Edward doing the impossible and showing everyone he's still useful.

And a thicker firebox wall as that's what made Strasburg take her out of service. Her and 7002's fireboxes were too thin for safe operation that could risk firebox crack according to the FRA ultrasound tests

The FRA has something against repairing Belpaire fireboxes. She will never run again. Fortunately, she is dressed up and indoors.

@@OldsVistaCruiser why do they not like belpaire? The 5550 is getting one and 1361 is having hers fixed. Let’s not forget LI 39.

@@James-Railyard There is nothing wrong with Belpaire fireboxes. The FRA does not hate them. The issue is, the way the Pennsy originally designed the fireboxes do not meet modern safety standards. However, as is shown with the PRR 1361 project, it is possible to modify them to meet modern rules. All it takes is some new engineering work, thicker plate, re-evaluate staybolt design and such. These changes will be the reason why 5550, 1361, and LIRR 39 will get to run with Belpaires properly and safely.

Thank you so much for this detailed description on the 1223's speed as well as the consist information! I've heard rumors that the D16sbs with 68-inch drivers could reach speeds of 80 mph, but I haven't been able to find sufficient evidence to prove it. Here's a quote from the Class D16sb 4-4-0 section of "The Great Book of Trains" by Brian Hollingsworth and Arthur Cook: "Two varieties were built initially, one with 80-inch driving wheels for more level divisions ('D16a'); and the other with 68-inch wheels for the hillier parts of the road ('D16'). The 'D16a' engines soon established a reputation for high speed, as they were used in competition with the Atlantic City Railroad on the 58 1/2 mile 'racetrack' between Camden and Atlantic City. On this service one famous driver was credited with covering an eight-mile stretch at 102mph. On another occasion the same driver worked a Presidential Special over 90 miles from Philadelphia to Jersey City at an average of 72mph. The mechanical quality of the design was well demonstrated by engine No.816, which distinguished itself by covering 300,000 miles on the middle division of the PRR in three years and four months without shopping or other heavy repair. This was a notable feat for its day."

@@HarryWarren1223 I wouldn't doubt an engine like 1223 could hit 80mph back when her class were still the primary power for PRR's expresses before the introduction of the E6 and later the K4s locomotives as the loads back in the Prewar era weren't so heavy as the Broadway Limited depicted in this film which would have been back in the 30's-40's when it was streamlined and re-equipped for the first time, which included that fancy K4s with the streamlined shrouding (the Broadway was re-equipped again later, this time with E-units as the main motive power). The fact that 1223 could take a contemporary train of streamlined coaches at that speed speaks to why I love steam engines so much - their potential to develop high power that rivals a modern diesel if driven properly by an experienced crew.

I think they could not run 1223 a 70 mph because that would be a little hard for the people who shot the film due to the high speeds! But that what I think

@@thecentralfloridarailroader - The PRR had a nice 4 track main. It appears that the camera was on Track 1, while the Limited was on Track 4.

@@davidwhiting1761 - The Limited was reequipped in 1938. This picture was made in 1941.

The 1223 (as the 1600) did indeed pull a Limited consist, but it was on a downhill grade. The D16sb locomotive was quite powerful. It was one of the largest "American" wheel arrangements ever built. She was built in 1905, when the PRR was introducing steel passenger cars. Her class once hauled the Broadway Limited on a regular basis. Going the other direction, the K4s Pacific locomotives as shown here were often double headed. I'm surprised that the PRR never adopted the 4-8-4 wheel arrangement, as the K4s 4-6-2 was obsolete when it was built.

@@OldsVistaCruiser they technically did use the 4-8-4. They had the 4-4-4-4 and borrowed the reading 4-8-4 classes. I know the Pennsy T1 is a duplex but it kinda counts for me.

@@James-Railyard - One of the last 4 RDG T-1 locomotives (2102) just returned to service. They're building a new PRR T1, expected to be operational by 2030. The PRR beat the hell out of the RDG engines.

LOL... I was thinking the same!

When the D16sb pulled the Broadway Limited in her heyday, rail cars were made of wood. These were the 1938 all-steel cars.

@@OldsVistaCruiser Well, I'm not exactly an expert on PRR stock, but from what I know about the streamliner era the Budd Company made big strides using stainless steel and lightweight construction techniques (like making the coach bodies monocoque, i.e. the walls were self supporting). Not sure what make these coaches are, but most of the newer ones tended to be lighter than the older heavyweight steel coaches, things like roller bearings helped them roll easier too. So I'd imagine an older locomotive could do quite well with such coaches.

This is a Hollywood movie

@@HarryWarren1223 - Which arranged with the PRR to have the 1223 pull a Limited consist. She sits inside the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg with a plaque mentioning her feat! She is literally the first thing that you see as you walk through the doors.

@@OldsVistaCruiser I had forgotten that. My son snd I visited in Sept. 2004. We were going to go to the East Broadtop the next day and were eating supper at a Wendy’s on a roundabout near the Pennsylvania Turnpike when suddenly we were joined by Hurricane Ivan. I couldn’t find my way halfway around the roundabout and ended up getting back to our room an hour and 45 minutes later. The next day on the way to Orbisonia the only thing that could be seen above the water was George Bush for president signs.

@jockellis - It's time for you to return to the East Broad Top. They just brought #16 back to life in February 2023. She had been cold since 1956!

Where she was subjected to the ultimate humiliation, as a PRR locomotive in disguise as a rival New York Central engine.

Downhill from Altoona to Harrisburg.

No 1223 can do anything up hill of even Downhill she can still do it

Is that a Dassault Falcon next to you, in your photo?

He doesn't have siblings

Idk

Thomas is a e2