A 4-4-0 locomotive that is tasked with pulling a heavy train which is seemingly beyond it's haulage capacity and thus referred to as being unfit for the job only to overcome this greatest of trials and cementing her place and respect amongst both skeptics and the company which owns her. *This is legit the American version of Edward's Exploit!*
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).
They should be proud of 1223 this will be something will go down in history for her she pulled the Broadway limited and she showed that even as old as she is and her class she still got what it takes to get it done even if she is cold and silent today wish she would return to steam
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
@@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?
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.
Very impressive to see footage of PRR engine 1223 in operation and it's great that this locomotive has been preserved at the Strasburg rr museum, this locomotive was really struggling to move this passenger train. I personally doubt that the train would have moved if sand wasn't being applied to the rails, I enjoy seeing footage of steam engines in operation which is a reflection of historic railroad operations from many decades ago.
The 1223 in this feels exactly the same as edward: both two old steam locomotives that despite their age and size, can still get the job done on time despite what everyone says about them.
I know it's Hollywood but the worst thing you can do to a slipping engine is give it sand in mid spin. Once those wheels grab and she digs in, but all the running gear still has that forward momentum, all that force being put under load at once by almost stopping it dead when she gets a grip is going to break or shear something. Close the throttle and let everything stop moving (or if it is moving, let the wheels slow down and grab on their own) then apply sand, and once all the drivers are "sitting on sand" very gingerly open her up and apply steam.
Now that's what I call The Little Engine That Could! And being a 4-4-0, it gave me vibes about when Edward from the RWS struggled with a passenger once.
Sure the script says they were making 70-75mph, but does the actual footage of 1223 prove that? The best place to try and measure the actual speed of the engine on the main is from 2:22-2:25 in which I counted 15 revolutions in 3 seconds, extrapolated to 300 revolutions over the whole minute, which given the 1223's 68-inch drivers translates to around 60.6mph, a good 10mph slower than what's claimed in the script. If the engine truly was capable of taking the load at 70mph, why didn't they film 1223 actually pulling the train at 70mph? Also when you see the train coming across the viaduct at the end if you look closely you can make out only a 10-coach load and not 12. A couple of extra coaches makes a difference, as evidenced by Flying Scotsman sporting 80-inch drivers and hit anywhere from 98-100mph with only 6 coaches running down hill (claims vary depending on who you ask). Even if 1223 didn't actually hit 70mph on camera, it's still impressive and a good shot. A real "Little Engine That Could" scene!
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
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
@@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.
There are some shots where she's going nearly 60 mph (the actor says 70 but the speed of the reciprocating machinery suggests 60). PRR must've really been working that little D16sb hard, although I doubt they'd have even cooperated with the studio and brought her out for such a run if they didn't think she could do it.
i seen this movie awhile ago. i always did enjoy it, but i have to admit that engine couldnt pull a boxcar let alone a LImited. There is no way that the PRR would let the Limited just sit there and cost money. CLEARLY they got a helper on the back.
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.
@@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.
@@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.
Would be great to have more movies like this on television nowadays. Unfortunately, most prefer movies with bloody killing, otherwise it's not entertainment.
A 4-4-0 locomotive that is tasked with pulling a heavy train which is seemingly beyond it's haulage capacity and thus referred to as being unfit for the job only to overcome this greatest of trials and cementing her place and respect amongst both skeptics and the company which owns her.
*This is legit the American version of Edward's Exploit!*
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).
They should be proud of 1223 this will be something will go down in history for her she pulled the Broadway limited and she showed that even as old as she is and her class she still got what it takes to get it done even if she is cold and silent today wish she would return to steam
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?
Beautiful engine
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.
Very impressive to see footage of PRR engine 1223 in operation and it's great that this locomotive has been preserved at the Strasburg rr museum, this locomotive was really struggling to move this passenger train. I personally doubt that the train would have moved if sand wasn't being applied to the rails, I enjoy seeing footage of steam engines in operation which is a reflection of historic railroad operations from many decades ago.
The 1223 in this feels exactly the same as edward:
both two old steam locomotives that despite their age and size, can still get the job done on time despite what everyone says about them.
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!
It gives me hope in 1223 seeing a little American pull a 10-car (or more)passenger car train. Thank the Lord
I know it's Hollywood but the worst thing you can do to a slipping engine is give it sand in mid spin. Once those wheels grab and she digs in, but all the running gear still has that forward momentum, all that force being put under load at once by almost stopping it dead when she gets a grip is going to break or shear something. Close the throttle and let everything stop moving (or if it is moving, let the wheels slow down and grab on their own) then apply sand, and once all the drivers are "sitting on sand" very gingerly open her up and apply steam.
Yea I also thought that was very unrealistic in this film, but it's just the way Hollywood did it.
At 3:00 is the famous rockville bridge in Harrisburg!!!!
Now that's what I call The Little Engine That Could! And being a 4-4-0, it gave me vibes about when Edward from the RWS struggled with a passenger once.
This would have also made sense in the Thomas universe!
DMRAILROAD759 this clip reminds me of “Edward’s Exploit”
Me too! Edward doing the impossible and showing everyone he's still useful.
PRR 1223 (Known as NYCR 15 from the 1969 Classic Hello Dolly).
I've seen this movie before but was unaware until now that this loco was 1223. Good to know.
Sure the script says they were making 70-75mph, but does the actual footage of 1223 prove that? The best place to try and measure the actual speed of the engine on the main is from 2:22-2:25 in which I counted 15 revolutions in 3 seconds, extrapolated to 300 revolutions over the whole minute, which given the 1223's 68-inch drivers translates to around 60.6mph, a good 10mph slower than what's claimed in the script. If the engine truly was capable of taking the load at 70mph, why didn't they film 1223 actually pulling the train at 70mph? Also when you see the train coming across the viaduct at the end if you look closely you can make out only a 10-coach load and not 12. A couple of extra coaches makes a difference, as evidenced by Flying Scotsman sporting 80-inch drivers and hit anywhere from 98-100mph with only 6 coaches running down hill (claims vary depending on who you ask). Even if 1223 didn't actually hit 70mph on camera, it's still impressive and a good shot. A real "Little Engine That Could" scene!
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.
I bet if 1223 ever wants to run again it’ll have to get a brand new boiler
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.
And no one is going to mention the GG-1 getting out of the way?
There are some shots where she's going nearly 60 mph (the actor says 70 but the speed of the reciprocating machinery suggests 60). PRR must've really been working that little D16sb hard, although I doubt they'd have even cooperated with the studio and brought her out for such a run if they didn't think she could do it.
i seen this movie awhile ago. i always did enjoy it, but i have to admit that engine couldnt pull a boxcar let alone a LImited. There is no way that the PRR would let the Limited just sit there and cost money. CLEARLY they got a helper on the back.
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.
0:58 Whoa! Easy, buddy! No more than four!
LOL... I was thinking the same!
You know what they always say
*Little engines can do big things* that's why I liked the prr d16 class
The real 1600 was an E6s (4-4-2). This was a D16sb (4-4-0).
Never really knew 1223 was in a movie before I learned it from a UA-camr I know and that it was also seen in the movie hello dolly I believe it was
Where she was subjected to the ultimate humiliation, as a PRR locomotive in disguise as a rival New York Central engine.
1223 also appeared in Hello Dolly
Can't see what those lads were fussing about, that was a prime express engine back in her day, as were the Atlantics.
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.
1:26 #1223 slips it's driver wheels.
Where she sits today, indoors, is only about 25 miles from where this clip ended.
Is this a Hollywood movie or a film of the 1223 actually pulling the Broadway?
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!
I have a good feeling that they were going down hill, there would be no possible way for it to go up hill with 14 cars
Downhill from Altoona to Harrisburg.
No 1223 can do anything up hill of even Downhill she can still do it
Would be great to have more movies like this on television nowadays. Unfortunately, most prefer movies with bloody killing, otherwise it's not entertainment.
Is that a Dassault Falcon next to you, in your photo?
😍😍😍😍😍🤩🤩🤩🤩
That steam engine is thomas sister
He doesn't have siblings
Idk
Thomas is a e2