Tamaqua Operations on the RBMN

Tamaqua PA is quite the hub for rail action on the Reading & Northern's mainline between Reading and Nesquehoning, with several trains originating & terminating here, with others passing through to points onward. On this rainy day, I found 5 trains operating here all back to back. The info on them is below.

"WORK" - The first train active in Tamaqua on this day was train WORK with SD40-2s 3064 and 1983, open hoppers, and a caboose. I did not give chase so I am unsure what this crew did once they left town. They did return later in the day before the fast freight came thundering through.

"QASD" - The day's 2nd train was the Tamaqua to Shenandoah turn job with SD40-2s 3051 and 3056, both units sporting rather unique horns. 3051 seems to be wearing either an old or mixed cast P5, and 3056 with the ever so fan-favorite RS5T. The crew makes a one car pick up before heading north.

"YJPN" - Sneaking up on me completely, the Port Clinton Yard Job gets the stop signal at Tamaqua with ex DL&W and LV pups 800 and 803. In their train was one of 425's auxiliary tenders as well as 2 locomotive power plants. I debated chasing YJPN to see where they were headed, but ultimately decided to stay for the GP30s that had started work behind the switchers.

"QAEX" - The Tamaqua Extra crew with a pair of GP30s, classified by the railroad as "GP39RN"s, is seen drilling a customer at Zenners just outside town. After swapping out some covered hoppers, they head back north and clear up for the southbound YJPN returning to Port Clinton.

The switchers flag the crossing at Zenners and I follow them to Hecla for the popular shot over the pond. Getting back into Tamaqua, WORK was reversing back into the yard as the flagship "North Reading Fast Freight" would be due soon.

"NRFF" - I set up on the grade just north of town to shoot the fast freight with its 4 unit lashup wide open as they tackle the slope at track speed. I had just enough time to beat them to East Mahanoy Junction to really get some good stack audio of the turbocharged prime movers in full bore.

"SDQA" - The Shenandoah turn job now running as SDQA returns south through the junction with 3056 leading the way. I beat them back to Tuscarora Park Rd and tried my luck at heading them off in Tamaqua (hence the whole train not being filmed) but got stuck in the afternoon traffic. Overall it was quite the successful day and I would like to try this again sometime. Thanks for watching!