Reading & Northern 2102: Tracing the Route of the Black Diamond | Iron Horse Rambles 2025 [4K]

Reading & Northern 2102 holds the distinction as perhaps the most impressive steam locomotive in the Eastern United States, renowned for her sheer size and distinct thunderous roar. This summer marks the second year of Iron Horse Rambles up the Lehigh Division, following the route of the old Lehigh Valley and Central of New Jersey Railroads. The thunderous T-1 made easy work of her train up to the Northernmost reaches of the railroad, hauling yet another generation of riders up the old mountain grades. Join along, as we follow the train over Penobscot Mountain and down into the Wyoming Valley.

The Reading 2102 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1923, originally designated as an I-10sa class 2-8-0, 2044. By 1945, the Reading Railroad searched for ways to fulfill its growing demand for more powerful locomotives. The answer was to rebuild, thus 2044 was rebuilt into a T-1 class 4-8-4 in their very own shops. The T-1s performed beautifully, hauling coal trains across miles of track and up steep mount grades. This tenure eventually came to an end in 1956, when the Reading ended steam operation. The future was bleak, as 2102 became a steam generator for a steel plant. However, on April 29th, 1962, the locomotive exited an extensive restoration, pulling the Iron Horse Rambles along sister T-1 locomotives. By 1965, the Rambles ended, and 2102 was sold off. Again, she would not sit idle for long, as she ran all across the Northeast. In 1985, 2102 was sold to Andy Muller, owner of the up and coming Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. 2102 ran for another six years, making her final run on October 27, 1991. While she was moved around here and there, the locomotive sat dormant until January 2016, when it was announced the locomotive would undergo restoration in the Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern's steam shops. After six years, millions of dollars, and countless hours of maintenance, the locomotive is once again riding the rails of the steel road.

RBM&N Passenger Department:
https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/

0:00 North Reading, PA
1:24 Herbein Bridge
1:44 Miller's Field
2:26 Taggartsville
2:51 Grier City
4:03 Lake Hauto
4:55 Glen Onoko
5:29 Milepost 123
6:56 Keen Apple Curve
7:27 Milepost 150
7:57 Glen Summit
8:43 Penobscot
9:53 Pittston, PA
10:31 Ransom
11:01 Osterhout
12:01 Pittston, PA
13:41 Duryea
14:25 Laurel Run
15:24 Solomon's Gap
16:11 Crestwood
16:36 White Haven Tunnel
17:01 Bridgeport
17:23 Mount Pisgah
18:05 Nesquehoning Junction
18:41 Division
19:43 Lake Hauto
20:58 Tamaqua
21:28 New Ringgold
21:53 Peacock's Lock Viaduct

Filmed on May 24th, June 21st, and August 23rd, 2025.
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