It's Alive!

[Flintlock76]

I've posted this on the "Trains" magazine Forum, but those of you who don't go there might find this exciting news.

Reading & Northern's Reading T-1 is back in steam!  The test run was several days ago and here's some videos of the same.  These guys were "Johnny-on-the spot!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzpPVmxogls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO7HJls-y7U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC7LG9zrpH4

"Everything comes to those who wait."  I knew 2102 would be back someday.  It was just a matter of time.

Just for fun, a Reading Iron Horse Ramble from 1962.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pehUWiKFnLk

[Overmod]

First steam fantrip I ever went on (in Karl Zimmermann's squareback VW!) featured 2102, and that confirmed me as a fan of 4-8-4s and T1s.  For a general 'east coast' loading gage/clearance diagram, it is hard to imagine a better all-around design; I have more than occasionally wondered what you'd get with those cylinder relief valves, a good set of Timken thin-section roller rods, and Voyce Glaze's balancing in the mains... we developed all the necessary resources to 'try' on one of these... perhaps 2100... as part of the "other" T1 research... 

[Flintlock76]

Overmod

I have more than occasionally wondered what you'd get with those cylinder relief valves, a good set of Timken thin-section roller rods, and Voyce Glaze's balancing in the mains... we developed all the necessary resources to 'try' on one of these... perhaps 2100... as part of the "other" T1 research... 

Mod-man, you should find a copy of "Steam's Lost Empire II," a "Classic Trains Special Edition."  There's an article by Robert Le Massena called "Was There Ever A Super 4-8-4."  You'll find it interesting, Le Massena talks of a lot of potential improvements that could have been done on various Northerns that never were and could have improved the performance.  An interesting read! 

And 2102 looks good for an old freight hog, doesn't it?  Better than new as far as I'm concerned!  And you're right about clearances, there's probably very few places on the R&N where 2102 can't go.  Hey, I've seen where the old Reading Perkiomen Branch was and if a T-1 could go there (one did) it could probably go anywhere.

[Jones1945]

Such a beautiful machine! Thank you so much for the news and links!

[Flintlock76]

You're welcome Mr. Jones!  I hope everything's well with you!

[Overmod]

Jones, I've been worried about you even more than about NDG.  And here you are back able to post again!

All we need is to get Vince posting again (I'm resigned to wanswheel posting only by proxy now that PMs are dead) and we'll be back interesting again...

[Flintlock76]

Vince is so PO'd at the way he was treated I doubt if he'd come back even if the ones who kicked him off begged him to. 

Still, where there's life, there's hope.

I'm one of Wanswheel's proxys (And proud to be!) but I haven't heard from him recently. 

[Jones1945]

Overmod

Jones, I've been worried about you even more than about NDG.  And here you are back able to post again!

Thanks for that, Overmod. I do miss you guys but I have been busy dealing with some family business... I do hope Vince will come back since CT changed a lot after he "left".

[p26dhIII]

Any word on the coal trains that it will pull??

 

[Flintlock76]

p26dhIII

Any word on the coal trains that it will pull??

 

 

I haven't heard or seen a thing.  It's got a full "dance card" as far as excursions go so I don't know about coal trains.  Maybe it will or maybe it won't. Who knows?

[Flintlock76]

More on 2102.  Here's "Johnny-on-the-spot"  East Penn video's coverage of yesterdays 2102 hopper train test run.  She's all lettered and striped now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyQmm4d2hoY

[Flintlock76]

Flintlock76

It's got a full "dance card" as far as excursions go

The "ball's" been opened!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfp5QLrnC34

 

[pennytrains]

It's going to be an interesting summer!