Reading and Northern Pups Pull a 58 Car Coal Train

On December 12th, 2023, I caught a unique train on the Reading and Northern's Minersville Branch, this being the move of a 58-car empty coal train to Minersville transported by none other than two of Reading and Northern's "Pup" switchers.

Both of these locomotives are EMD SW-8 four-axle switchers built in 1952. #800 was originally a Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad locomotive, while #801 was originally a Lehigh Valley Railroad locomotive. After serving on these railroads, both switchers also served on Conrail before being purchased by the Reading and Northern Railroad.

Considering the age of these locomotives, as well as #801 sharing a heritage with the surrounding area (the Lehigh Valley RR originally past through Glenworth as well), this move was unique and exciting to see! Additionally, the job transporting these cars was the Port Clinton to West Cressona job or PNWC.

Please enjoy this video of two of Reading and Northern's Pups putting in the work!!

0:00 Intro
0:25 PNWC traverses through West Cressona completing final yard movements
1:27 #800 and #801 pulls their cut of coal cars onto the main south of Becks
4:09 Traversing upgrade through Glenworth
5:42 Westwood Jct.
7:49 Passing through Minersville (full train)
12:27 Heading to New St. Nick
12:45 Outro

Music in this video:
Song: Tropic Fuse
Artist: French Fuse
Licensed to YouTube by: YouTube Audio Library