2102 Ready to Ramble

The Reading & Northern Railroad reported that its T-1 steam locomotive, no. 2102, has successfully completed its test runs following its extensive five-year rebuild. The locomotive made a homecoming on April 6, stopping briefly at Reading Outer Station with hundreds of people looking on. It also visited Tamaqua on April 7-8, plus Nesquehoning and Jim Thorpe on April 8.

2102, a 4-8-4 Northern type built by the Reading Company in its Reading, Pa., shops in 1945, had been out of service since October 1991, and has been undergoing a $2.4 million complete restoration over the past five years. Upon completion on April 4, Andy Muller Jr., Owner/CEO of Reading & Northern, lit its firebox. The locomotive left the Port Clinton Steam Shop the morning of April 6 bound for Outer Station. While in Reading, the crew took the opportunity to weigh the locomotive on the company’s scale in North Reading Yard. On the return trip back to Port Clinton, Andy Muller, Jr. was at the throttle. 

“The engine performed amazingly. This will bring joy to a lot of people, including my family,” said Muller. The railroad’s steam crew continued to conduct tests and make adjustments as needed throughout the week in preparation for 2102’s first Iron Horse Rambles excursion on May 28. These train trips will run from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe, PA and return.