Reading & Northern 2102: Reviving The Iron Horse Rambles

On May 28th, 2022, Reading T-1 2102 made her inaugural excursion on the Reading & Northern, beginning a new era of steam railroading in the Northeast. Her presence was made known as this behemoth thundered through the mountains of Anthracite Country, taking the title of the loudest steam locomotive in the United States. After millions of dollars, thousands of man hours, and six years, this marvel of engineering and ingenuity is once again alive. Join along, as we document the locomotive lead the first "Iron Horse Rambles" in over 60 years. 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 Rickenbach, PA 1:36 Miller's Field 2:17 Milepost 104 3:25 Lake Drive 4:57 Nesquehoning Tunnel 5:41 Nesquehoning, PA 7:42 Hometown 8:59 Tuscarora 9:33 Miller's Field 10:06 Leesport, PA This video was filmed on May 28th, 2022 ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ©Train Chamber Productions 2022 All Rights Reserved This video may not be reproduced, copied, or redistributed without the permission of Train Chamber Productions. These videos require time, effort, and numerous resources, in order to be produced. Any unauthorized reproduction will be taken down with accordance to international copyright laws. I apologize for ads, they help fund trips like these to keep bringing content. Thank you for understanding.