The Pennsylvania Railroad 1956 and foward.

The Pennsylvania Railroad forgoes the use of the Diseal locomotive, and designs the next generation of Steam Locomotive that overtakes the First Generation of Diseal.

January 1956

The Development department of the Pennsylvania Railroad announces the design of the U1- a new turbine powered steam locomotive with the wheel arangement of 4(Lead)-4-4-4-4(Trailing), making it the largest Locomotive on the PRR, and the largest locomotive in the United states, other than the Big Boy on the Union Pacific railroad. The Locomotive was a huge success, and helped Decide the fate of whether the PRR would stay with the Steam locomotive, or go to the new E3A locomotive from EMD. Production of the locomotive is delayed due to a small fire in the Locomotive shops in Altoona works on January 16th.

February 1956

The PRR starts production of the U1 on the 2nd, after a minor fire slightly damages the locomotive shop in the Altoona works. The Locomotive is finished on the 9th, after a record production time for a brand new design, with the locomotive number 6000. The locomotive is tested on the Harrisburg to Pittsburgh line, by Engineer Oscar Orr (O.P.). Orr said about the new design after leaving the cab in Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania station, "The locomotive steams beautifully, pulls more cars than any other locomotive in existence I have ever tested, and lacks the slip that the T1 has." The PRR announces production of 60 more units with running numbers from 6001-6060.