As the foliage begins to turn to vibrant hues of warm, fall colors, Autumn known as one of the most beautiful seasons in Pennsylvania. For those wanting to view these fall colors by train, the Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad would once again fire up the famed 4-8-4 Reading T-1, #2102. The locomotive would be tasked with the railroad's staple Autumn Leaf Excursions spanning scenic Anthracite country from Reading to Jim Thorpe, PA and return. Offering one of the best views of the Autumn splendor, 2102 battles the grades in a thunderous echo of steam and sound. Referred to by many as one of the loudest steam locomotives in United States, many gather trackside to watch as the train roar past at a blistering pace. Come along as we follow the locomotive in peak foliage and the final Autumn Leaf Excursion of 2023 in "Thundering in The Fall Splendor" 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
0:50 Cross Keys
1:51 Hamburg
2:45 Miller's Crossing
3:42 Reynolds
4:38 East Mahanoy
5:20 Hometown Hill
6:25 Nesquehoning
7:27 Jim Thorpe Junction - Wyeing the Train
11:24 Nesquehoning Tunnel - RDCs
11:56 Nesquehoning Tunnel - 2102
14:02 Hometown
14:48 Orchard Road
15:38 Reynolds
16:27 Hamburg
17:23 North Reading - The Final Arrival
To learn more and support the Reading & Northern's Passenger operations, please visit:
www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/
Special Thanks To:
- Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad
- Reading & Northern Passenger Department
- Andy Muller
- The Crews of 2102
- The KRP Family
Filmed on Saturday, October 21, 2023
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