Thanks for the reaction Hyce! 3 things to add: 1) I'm pretty sure the fireman is using the shovel to scan the fire for any holes/high spots/etc. They use this same technique with 425 which obviously doesn't have a stoker. 2) I filmed 3 other trips in the cab, and while all the departures were impressive, Shane (the engineer) really went after it on this day (Sept. 3). 3) This is a great railfan-friendly operation that is well worth visiting/riding/chasing. The sound is great in videos, but it cannot compare to being there. And 2102 is by far the loudest locomotive I've heard. From trackside the exhaust will make your ears ring when they're working full throttle up a grade.

Normal guy: reacts excitedly to football and his favorite team winning Hyce: *Laughs like a young child in a candy shop when seeing a big Choo*

I was there when this was shot! She was pulling 20 packed coaches that day, and when she gets workin’ that hard, her stack talk is loud enough to blow my camera mic out. R&N did an absolutely amazing job restoring her. Seeing this in person was absolutely amazing

- The Reading and Northern doing what they do best ✅ - 2102 doing what she does best ✅ - Hyce Amazing Commentary ✅ Yep this is official my favorite video on KZfaq

Look at what our grandfathers accomplished. See and hear what these guys accomplished. Respect.

“Running it like they stole it” is now entering my vocabulary permanently.

2102 is definitely the loudest preserved engine in the country currently. They definitely worked 425 that hard, too; though when I saw the doubleheader, it was easy to tell who was doing the work - it was all 2102 😎

As a Pennsylvanian. I still think PA had some of the best steam trains in the US. I'm still excited for the T1 to get its build done.

I did the math on this when you talked about it a while back. Shes got roughly 1200 tons of cars behind her. Not including the weight of the engine, fuel, passengers, etc. Absolutely blows my mind they get that amount of weight moving so fast. The sheer raw horsepower is amazing.

I can totally relate to the excitement that Hyce has. I got to see Big Boy when she returned to steam in 2019 and that was absolutely awesome

Great to see 2102 doing what she was built to do, even as a preserved loco

Hyce foaming is the best thing cos it shows even railroaders get excited for railroading

It's truly an experience hearing a massive steam locomotive working as hard as it can at speed. Combine that with the sound of a Reading 6 chime and you have arguably the best sounds you can hear!

What Reading & Northern does is absolutely amazing! I've been chasing 2102 all year, and the sound is amazing and deafening at times. They run those excursions along 60 miles of their mainline, some of which has substantial grades. She really screams when climbing those grades, and in places it echoes of the sides of mountains amplifying the effect. Reading & Northern is a world class operation, and if you ever can get out here to see 2102 (or 425) in action I highly recommend it. I really enjoyed seeing your reaction to this video.

2102: *Spins the Drivers as they keep trying to build speed while pulling the throttle to the ceiling* Hyce and the Engineer: We got places to be!! The 2102 sounds absolutely magnificent in this clip, just the sounds of the Big 4-8-4 getting her feet under her and start her stride is amazing! Thanks for pointing out all the good details Hyce! Always pumping out awesome content

Thanks for putting this together, a lot! It was nice to see and hear her again. I'm an old guy, but once was young. If you Wiki 2102 (which you've probably done) you'll read that in 1968 there was a derailment. I was in the dutch doors with my buddy John as we were coming back into Chicago. I can say that steam trips had a reputation for always being late. Well, that day we were quite close to being on time (first time ever. I was on a 4070 trip in that era that didn't arrive back in until 5 am the Monday morning after) so I have always used the expression concerning this trip that we were "coming in hot". Getting close in to the stations in Chicago there is SO much track work (diamonds, switches, etc.) that even regular passenger trains took it easy. Not that day. My late friend John and I both said we were fast. Well, we hit some diamonds that also had a puzzle switch and things started shaking. John says "what the f* just happened?" I felt the shaking as being in time with the ties going past and I said "we're on the ground!" Good guess. Ahh, to be young again.

Not going to lie. I understand Hyce's excitement. I live near echo canyon and to listen to the Living Lengent and Big Boy both coast into and out of Ogden was a once in a lifetime experience. The whistles, heavy chuffs, rod cranks during coasting. It's hard to recreate that experience. I was giggling like a unsupervised child in a toy shop. Many times I wish I could've lived during the steam age but here I am. Made me smile seeing Hyce's excitement.

Loved this. First time I saw 2102 was with 425, coming around the curve out of Nesquehoning and boy, oh boy, what a show. Just barely hearing the whistle over the exhaust, seeing the giant plume of black smoke, and then 2102’s headlight just peaking out from behind the warehouse headed into the curve. Thought all the smoke was from both engines, nope, mostly 2102. The thunder was phenomenal. I’m absolutely going back next year.

The sound of this locomotive made me start smiling from ear to ear, I just love it.

Something about Andy and his team...these guys GET IT! They really understand their equipment intimately, and know exactly what to give their locomotive when it needs it. Hoping to get up there and finally use my ticket next year.

The chain on the back of the cab is also moving left and right.

Love seeing Hyce’s smile practically break his face

#2102 Certainly was given the chance to prove what steam engines can truly do! that sound of the steam engine working like that really is Magical.

The 4-8-4 was one of my types of steam locomotives it's just awesome to see this one pour out imagine the sounds of big boy would make if they pushed it to the limits

This engineer is the man. The look on his face the entire time is enough said. Beautiful thing!

In 1985 my wife and I rode behind N&W 611 from buffalo to Erie, PA. We hit 70 MPH with 22 cars. At that point the exhaust is just a steady roar. Being in the sound car behind the locomotive was amazing. N&W's steam program was spectacular.

I don't think anyone else has the cohunes to push their asset this hard. And without a diesel backup! Huge props to R&N!

RBMN seems like such a class act, those guys took some scrappy Conrail branch lines and turned them into a 40mph mainline with CTC and welded rail. A few years ago, I heard they upgraded their mainline so they could run RDCs at 60, and set up weekly excursion service. There’s videos of them working their old hand-fired Pacific just as hard, the only reason they added diesels on those trains was to make it over the road with the same tonnage. It seems like they restored 2102 just so they could do away with the diesel helpers. Who says modern railroading can’t be fun!

Sound remains one of the main reasons I'm still in love with steam power. Nothing feels like it hits quite like a northern.

I was riding the double header on august 13th and I can tell you it was LOUD and that might be an understatement, that is a huge under statement!!!!!!! My ears were ringing all day but the echos through the mountains and stack talk galore from 2 steam locomotives. It was a day to remember. Oh and the whistles on the 2 steam engines are amazing together!

I'm planning on renewing my acquaintance with the '02 in June. I go back to the Steam Tours days when it was restored in Akron in the late 1960s. I've ridden behind it four times in my life. 1971 Akron to Spencer on the AC&Y; 1976 Wilkinsburg, PA to Altoona and back over Horseshoe Curve; 1977 Kent, OH to Greenville, PA on the EL (ran out of coal on the return trip and had to be shoved into Kent by a Conrail TV train); and 1988 for the BM&R Railfan Weekend. In between I saw and rode behind the other operational T-Hog of the era, 2101, on the Chessie Steam Special in 1977 and '78. Truly remarkable for not just the loudness, but the all-out speed they ran it at on those trips, around 70 mph where they could. I remember standing on an old wood deck bridge when it went under and I swear the exhaust blast lifted the boards. It was also a continuous roar at those speeds, no shotgun exhaust for those Reading rebuilds. They may be ugly ducklings to some, but they really put on a show.

2102 is just casually waltzing along with 18 cars. Just...epic. I have probably watched this video a dozen times and it never ceases to make me smile. I can only imagine the noise of one of these hauling something like The Empire State Express or a long heavy freight drag between Omaha and Salt Lake City. It would probably be like a religious ceremony to us railfans. Would love to see Hyce do commentary when UP 3985 and the UP 5511 get up and at 'em back on the mainline, or better yet...let Hyce RUN one of the big engines like 2102, 4014, or 844.

The Reading and Northern Railroad did a fantastic job restoring 2102! I was on her September 1st and it was such a smooth ride. And seeing the Doubleheader with 2102 and 425 was incredible!

You have to hear both R&N engines thunder up the Lehigh River gorge.

From here in Australia, that was a spectacular sight and your excitement is completely justified! It’s a long way to Pennsylvania from here so thank you for showing it to us.

Thanks for your great blow-by-blow commentary on a great engine that’s been so lovingly restored. (Reading is working the crap out of it-and it’s glorious.) Definitely a great start to my day, Hyce! Thank you. (PS: I know you have a love/loathe relationship with geared locomotives, but sometime I’d love to see you do a review of some of the little gems at RC&BT working the 9.5% grade 😏)

I took the day off work to see her take her maiden run. Just the sight of her sitting outside of the steam shop that morning was impressive. They took her north to Tamaqua and picked up some loaded coal hoppers. She never missed a beat on the return trip. If you get the opportunity to venture to see her it’ll be a trip well spent. BTW they are also rebuilding a smaller locomotive as we speak.

I had the opportunity to ride behind it last fall and even 7 cars back listening to her work was amazing. Hearing that for a 5 hour round trip was absolutely fantastic.

Despite the awesomeness, trying to film or just see that thing is a madhouse

Andy's excursions were 17-19 cars plus the 50-100 coal crs he hauled on test and even revenue runs before the excursions went off. My wife and I were in Jim Thorpe for all the excursions and rode the July 2 event. I've seen this clip many times since it was originally posted but your commentary truly put in perspective what a spectacular accomplishment R&N has to its credit for the restoration and operation of 2102. Every excursion R&N did with 2102 sold out immediately. Thousands of people enjoyed the locomotive whether they be novices or with an understanding of what they were looking at. Young and old, men and women alike: Everyone was thrilled by 2102. It'll be interesting to see what 2102's encore is for 2023.Maybe a double header with 2100? Andy already did double head 2102 with the light pacific 425 in August. What an experience that was. To see and hear them blast out of Port Clinton was like a religious experience. As a 400 mile, Class B railroad, there's plenty of room for 2102 to stretch its legs while still being properly maintained. You couldn't ask for more.

Hyde. It’s so nice to see a fellow railroader with a true appreciation of the old days. Your enthusiasm is wonderful and I really enjoyed watching this video. I hope to run into you some day at the museum. I’d love to say hi and thank you for keeping Steam alive! Have a blessed Christmas!

Yes! It's the best sound ever! Full throttle, up grade, 6-chime, and 19 car consist... it's train Heaven. ☺

I’m loving this video, and all the recent content…my favorite KZfaqr reacting to my favorite locomotive that just so happens to be a 10 minute drive away from home. Keep up the good work. 👍

That steam whistle is the same type heard on many old movies that I saw on TV when I was a boy. 😊

I love it when the fireman opens the door and it just blows out the exposure on the camera.

Ah, 2102. Glad I got to ride behind her in July with my grandfather. It's something I'll never forget. Also, as a side note, I would definitely recommend watching the video of 2102 hauling a 50-car hopper train.

It's been an amazing few years for the rebirth of big steam. The crew behind 2102 has done an incredible job rebuilding this piece of machinery and they run it as intended with absolute authority. Really great to see and hear. I'm a huge fan of the T1 class. They're not unlike your K-37 #491, both engines are examples of very successfully recycling obsolete 2-8-0s to build modern, up to date, enduring engines.

I can’t wait to see the 2102 again in the next 48hrs, my great grandfather was one of the few and honored to run her in time of service and rambles, thanks for the great video

Having seen 2102 plenty of times this year, your reaction is basically my reaction to seeing it in person each time. It never ceases to amaze me!

Having seen the 2102 in person now, doing what she does best, I can tell you that any videos you can find here on KZfaq don't convey just how ear shatteringly loud this engine is when she goes past. It's really a special experience

I just noticed you can read "Boxpok by Baldwin" on the driver on the scene looking at the wheels when starting

That video right there is the reason why I want to be a steam train operator in a couple of years. Keep up the great work Hyce.

fun fuct, 2102 was a special guest at Cass Scenic Railroad for their greenbrier express in 1971

dang hyce that chuffing sound when it pulls off sounds so frecking good 18 wagons

Just the sound of the Engine is enough to make the driver feel on top of the world

I need to play this on the sound system in our living room haha. MAKE THE HOUSE FEEL THE POWER!!!!

Hyce thank you for making this video. I watched the video multiple times myself. Great to get your reaction from it!

That is incredible! I watched the video of Reading and Northern 425 last night, and was telling my wife that her whistle is what a train should sound like. Nothing better than steam!

I was on that trip in the 4th car back. That departure from Port Clinton was absolutely amazing! Throughout the entire trip whenever the engine was working it would blast leaves and twigs off the trees with its exhaust. The cleanup crew had a lot of leaves to sweep up in the coaches.

Thanks for sharing Mark. Like you said absolutely beautiful sound and all that. I suspect being the engineer on this would be next to heaven; it gave me goosebumps to watch as he pulled that throttle. I specifically like your points about historic usage and authentic sounds. Sounds really add so much authenticity to a modern day recreation/experience. This is why being in the cab is amazing as it is truly an immersive and authentic experience. Please do share more videos like this with your commentary, I learn from you as I watch. Can’t get much better.

I’m reminded of when 4014 helped get a freight train over the hill and on the first backstroke pushing that much weight it went ssssssKACHUFFF!

I only recently discovered your channel and I can tell you definitely love these old machines and the beautiful sounds they make.

The only other time I saw a 4-8-4 Northern work this hard is when UP 844 helped a stalled freight train over a hill.

I was lucky enough to chase 2102's first tonnage train back in April, 50 empty coal hoppers, about the same weight as the train seen here. Climbing the grade North of Tamaqua was incredible. But possibly the best part was climbing the grade out of Jim Thorpe on the return trip, it had started to rain and she was struggling and slipping. The crew ended up having to kick in the booster engine. Talk about a lokie that is absolutely maxed out! I highly recommend taking a trip out to Eastern PA someday. Not only to see 2102, but also the other 6 or 7 steam operations within 2 hours of it.

What a great clip, and your enthusiastic commentary was right on. Rarely do we get to see and hear a large steam locomotive working hard as they normally did during the steam era. Thank you it was a real treat.

I love it when people nerd-out about their passion!

love seeing your reactions in the video & The Nickel Plate Railroad and the B&O railroad are two amazing railroads from my state up north, love to see your reaction to more train engines.

Hyce, your enthusiasm is positively infectious! I've only heard a couple steam engines l've in my time and this I different. Balls to the wall.

I was riding the train that day it was amazing, it was such a awesome experience. Also Hyce please make more of these of videos

There have been a couple of videos of the 611 working hard pulling a lot of cars through the Virginian mountains. Doesn't sound nearly like the 2102 (or even their 425 for that matter), but still cool. However, I have never heard an engine who's exhaust beat is as crisp as the Frisco 1522. Sounds like shotgun blasts. I so wish I'd gotten to see that engine run in person.

Wow, I am so glad I found your channel! I went to the source you used and checked out many of their awesome quality sound videos of several real hard working steam engines! Nothing is better than seeing and HEARING them hard at work!

Very nice video Mark I really love the sound and wish we could see this more but I don’t think we will. Hope you do more and I look forward to seeing more ideas from here.

I think that one of the things that make me so interested in steam engines is the rhythmic sound the exhaust makes. I really enjoy music, and just hearing the consistent in time chuffs absolutely makes my brain happy

You've got to see it in person. Thats all i have to say about it.

OUTSTANDING!!! And thank you, Hyce and Steam Train Videos

I’ve now officially seen 2102 working like mad for three days. A brief moment during the second iron horse ramble, a full day on the last iron horse ramble, the first fall excursion and more recently the last fall excursion (this Saturday). I can’t wait to see 425 back in action with 2102 or maybe even doing some solo runs cause even for a light Pacfic engine they make 425 run hard and what I love more about RBMN is they do not baby their whistles. They purchased and installed those whistles and they want you to hear ALL of it. I’ve posted clips of 2102 working hard in your server and hopefully soon I get to post 425 clips

I got to ride behind her AND 425 when they doubleheaded back in August! The most beautiful thing I have ever experienced!

Hyce, thank you for sharing this. I love this locomotive. I went on an excursion pulled by her from Temple PA to Hamburg PA before her last run in 1991. I later saw her in the roundhouse at Steamtown USA.. The first time I saw her I saw in awe.

Thanks for the vid and insight. So much cool content you put out! Thanks buddy!

I was going to Jim Thorpe today. It's only 20 minutes from my home. But i had pisscup kinda day and lost the use of a finger. So I needed some cheering up. Mark your funny.

Goosebumps, smiles and happy tears all the way ❤️❤️❤️ Is there more of this ? 🙏

Loved this type of video, so more please! At the beginning when you were noticing the cab hop, I was noticing that fire coming alive through the vent holes. It went dark to sun in no time.

I never noticed this as much before I started watching this channel, and Hyce's videos from inside the cab dealing with the fire, but you can see the light of the fire through the fire door pulsing with each beat of the exhaust as the locomotive is accelerating out of the yard as each chuff pulls more air through the firebed. Amazing to see. It really is a living breathing machine.

Super cool, always love hearing your insight on anything steam.

I got to ride behind 2102 on August 13th, 2022, which was actually a doubleheader with 425 because the train was too heavy for 2102 so instead of a diesel they tossed 425 on front to handle the extra tonnage. The Illinois Central painted cars are San Luis & Rio Grande cars bought at the bankruptcy auction. The reason for the long train and doubleheader was because it was Andy Mueller’s birthday. And Ross Roland was on the train also.

Great video, I would love to see more of these kind of videos. It's quite an experience riding behind a Reading T-1. I rode the first Rambles trip back in May behind the 2102 and it was one of the best experiences I've ever had riding behind steam. I couldn't believe how loud her bark was when they had her working hard. They definitely put her to work what she was built to do.

Yes Professor Hyce, that T-1 #2102 is an AWESOME steam locomotive! Steam locomotives ARE amazing machines to watch when they're running at full power! I LOVE 2102's shrill sounding whistle... it's awesome to hear. I have an HO scale brass version of the T-1 #2102 and I'm proud to own it, but it will NEVER make all those wonderful noises and blow all that smoke and steam like the real thing. But, that's okay. I enjoy your video...and I gotta kick out of seeing how enthusiastic you are about steam locomotive noise. I hope you do more videos like this. 😊

Absolutely gorgeous locomotive. Please more of this!!

Hyce, your giddy response to this video, and steam engines is 100% correct! Anyone who says otherwise or doesn't respond that way is WRONG! Seeing a steam engine is impressive. Seeing one run at all is amazing. Seeing one opened up to the stops defies words! Excellent video, and on point with the play by play! Just found you and enjoying your vids greatly!!!

You succeeded in bringing tears to my eyes, dude! Many thanks for sharing!

I had the pleasure of riding behind the 2102 on July 2nd-and of course posted some on board footage from the coach on my channel-but that aside, there is no experience like hearing and seeing the 2102 in person. I’ve been on lots of steam trips and I’ve never experienced anything like it; it’s definitely a must-see. There were hundreds, if not thousands, chasing the train from Outer Reading to Jim Thorpe, and the railroad police were at almost every crossing. This footage and your commentary is great! Love all your videos. Trevor

Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad knows how fans can be made happy

That's a awesome video and just love to see them used as intended, can't get past all the sounds. The engine the whistle just in complete ahhh

I can tell that he wants to nerd out soooooo bad for this 4-8-4 steam locomotive.

I liked the video and even more than that, how tickled you are by it. I do like watching the old machinery do it's thing regardless if it's working hard or just out stretching its legs. Thanks for sharing.

Love it. Happened to be one of few who happened to know the Royal Hudson was passing through my little town in about 1992 at 2 in the morning, will never forget the cloud of steam and light and the way the platform shook when it went by, not sure the speed, but it was moving at a good clip, and the doppler affect of the whistle at the crossings before and after . . .

I recently stumbled upon your channel through watching squirrel and the new and improved derail valley simulator, I gotta say I think with the amount of enthusiasm you show you could talk to me about anything and I'd enjoy it lol, have a sub purely for the good vibe cheers brother

Great video! Awesome sound!

She’s a beast. Loved the commentary as always!

I got to see that beautiful lady back in the mid 70's. Coming through St. Albans, WV. Painted in the Chessie colors. Wish I'd had a camera or video recorder, but I was only 5 or 6 years old.