Reading & Northern 2102: The Revival of The Iron Horse Rambles (HD)

For the first time in more than three decades, Reading T-1 2102 would finally make her spectacular return to the Reading & Northern in a series of excursions dubbed "The Iron Horse Rambles". In the mountainous coal country of eastern Pennsylvania, and in a thunderous storm of steam and cinders, the newly restored locomotive roars through the heart of Anthracite coal country on only her second public excursion. The historic marvel of engineering attracted a behemoth crowd of excited passengers in tow and thousands of photographers trackside, watching as timeless scenes of the past come to life. Performing and sounding better than she ever has, the locomotive hauled the packed train with ease up the grades sounding a melodic Reading 6 chime and a haunting Reading freight hooter in addition to the deafening sound of her stack. Accelerating to speed and pounding the rails, these excursions bring back the days of steam when iron-clad machines ruled the world. Please enjoy "The Revival of The Iron Horse Rambles" with more than 60 years in the making by Keystone Rail Productions!

History of Reading #2102:
Reading 2102 was constructed by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925 as a 2-8-0 class I-10sa consolidation and numbered as 2044. By the year 1945, the Reading Railroad was in need of more powerful and larger locomotives. Rebuilt in Reading's very own shops, the components of 30 of the I-10sa consolidations were utilized to construct new 4-8-4 northerns classified as T-1s. These locomotives were designed with the modernity to be used to haul long, heavy freight trains and fast passenger trains for the Reading. They had a colorful yet brief career hauling long stringers of hoppers at speed along miles of track in mountainous regions. However, their career was relatively short, as the Reading's steam operations ended in 1956 and all T-1s were stored serviceable by 1958. The future looked dark for 2102 as she was used as a steam generator for a steel plant. A year later, new hope would emerge as four of these T-1s would be saved from the scrappers torch to be used as the power for the Reading's Iron Horse Rambles excursions that would begin in 1959 and end in 1964. The four locomotives saved for the excursions was 2100, 2101, 2124, and of course 2102. Once the Rambles ended, she remained active along the Northeast region of the US, operating under many new owners. In 1985, the 2102 was purchased by Andy Muller, the owner of the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. In 1991, she made her final run under steam and was stored dormant, waiting for her return to steam. In 2016, a new restoration effort began by the skilled crews in the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad steam shops. After 6 years, thousands of hours of work, and nearly 2.4 million dollars, the locomotive would finally operate under her own power and make her long awaited return to the high iron.

Locations:
0:00 North Reading
0:47 Leesport
2:04 Miller's Field
3:04 Reynolds
4:21 East Mahanoy Junction
5:51 Lake Drive
7:33 Nesquehoning
8:29 Jim Thorpe Junction
12:11 Nesquehoning Tunnel
13:51 Hometown
14:59 Zehners
16:21 Miller's Crossing
17:26 Hamburg
18:30 North Reading

To learn more and support the Reading & Northern's Passenger operations, please visit:
https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/

Special Thanks To:
The Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad
Crews of 2102
RBMN Passenger Department
Andy Muller
The KRP Family

Train Chamber:
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Whistle Productions:
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Tristan Rail Productions:
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Arkansas Locomotive Works:
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Wabash Cannonball Productions:
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Brodie Productions:
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Filmed on Saturday, July 2, 2022

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