|
One of the most recognizable and most impressive locomotive classes ever built, the Readting T-1 Northerns were actually a conversion of a 2-8-0 locomotive done by the reading shops. Adding a larger firebox, more load carrying wheels, and adding some of the last tricks of the trade, like superheaters and roller bearings, these workhorses performed well in the East, and four survive today.
The #2102, has a long and rich past. Built in 1923 by Baldwin as a Consolidation 2-8-0, (#2022) it was converted to T-1 in 1945. It ran on the Reading Rambles from 1960 through 1964, and ended up in Akron Ohio in 1966. There it ran excursions again, until 1974.During a brief period in 1973, for the Delaware and Hudsons sesquicentennial, it wore Elephant Ear banner boards!. It continued through a few more owners, until it ended up in the hands of the BMR&N, where it lives today, awaiting repair to once again pull excursion traffic. Along with #425, this huge steamer makes up the "historic" complement of BMR&N's rolling stock, and sits in a specially built steam shed in Port Clinton PA, just outside of Reading. The #2124 was the first T-1 used on the Iron Horse Rambles, and is the only one that hasnt operated since. It sits now, at Steamtown NHS, getting cosmetic work when it needs it. There is a group called "Restore 2124" which is collecting a petition in hopes of convincing steamtown that it should be returned to running capability. Out of the thirty T-1's orginally built, only 4 survive today.. along with these two, #2101 (most famous as the Freedom Train Engine and the Chessie Steam Special), which is a static display in the B&O museum in Maryland, and #2100, which now burns oil, and pulls excursions in the canadian rockies.
|
| Prev | Main Train Page | Next |
