Reading & Northern 2102: Thunder on The Road of Anthracite - Iron Horse Rambles

The year 2022 marked the return of the Reading Iron Horse Rambles, headed by Reading T-1 2102. Throughout the summer, the thunderous locomotives attracted vast crowds pulling sold out trips from Reading to Jim Thorpe and return. The flashy 4-8-4 rambled through Pennsylvania's Anthracite Region, with the sound of its stack talk echoing around mountains and valleys, effortlessly taking the title of the loudest steam locomotive in the United States. The locomotive was sporting her original Reading Hooter and her famous Reading 6 Chime. Join along as we document this marvel of 20th century engineering.

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's growing demand for more powerful locomotives was answered, the locomotive 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, the locomotive is once again riding the rails of the steel road.

Special Thanks:
Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern Railroad
RBM&N Passenger Department
The Crew of 2102
Reading & Northern Shop Crew
Andy Muller

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

Locations:
0:00 Cross Keys
0:47 Dauberville
1:08 Molino
1:49 Tuscarora
2:52 Tamaqua Tunnel
3:53 East Mahanoy Junction
4:31 Milepost 108
4:55 Lake Drive
5:43 Nesquehoning Junction
10:44 Nesquehoning Tunnel
11:59 Hometown Hill
13:02 Marian Ave
13:49 Orchard Road
14:27 Zehners
14:47 Rauschs
15:17 Molino
16:06 Hamburg
16:34 Peacock's Lock Viaduct

Filmed on July 2nd & September 3rd, 2022.
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