Chasing a steam locomotive, 50 coal hoppers, and a caboose down The Road of Anthracite

[@JPVideos81]

I liked seeing the driving footage to each location included. Really shows the effort made to make these videos. Great reflection shot at 17:16 mark and I'm glad I was able to see her depart Jim Thorpe with that cloud of steam. Cant wait for her Ramble Run.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks so much! I really wanted people to see the "behind the scenes" of the chase. I also figure it'll give anyone who wants to chase The Rambles an idea of what to expect. That reflection at 17:16 made that one of my favorite shots of the entire day, glad you liked that! I can't wait The Rambles too!

[@samanthab1923]

I liked the car rides too. You see that old side of some PA towns that never changes 🌞

[@dennis78382]

Good morning Jamie. Hope you're having a good day. Back for a Rewatch friend.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, buddy! I had an awesome day, and I appreciate the rewatch!

[@johngeorge1294]

I was fortunate to leave in a coal mining town in W. Pa in the late 40's. They put a new spur line in to the town. How great it was as a 10 year old to watch Pennsy steam engines bringing empty hoppers in and taking full ones out. The line was on a pretty good grade and hearing and watching the steam engine starting with loaded hoppers was areal thrill. Hearing the engineer starting out after pumping air then the sound when the wheels would slip and sand put down and catching hold was something else. Then hearing the whistle for the road crossing as they gained speed was something only being there could describe. Thank you and B M & N for bringing an old man the thrill again. To me a special video which brought back so many sounds, sights and smells 😋.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks so much for sharing your story, John! So often I wish I could travel back in time to that era to take in all the old mining and train action. That must have been really spectacular when they were pulling them up the grades. Reading & Northern is truly the closest thing we've got now to the railroads of yesteryear, and I think we'll be seeing the occasional steam-powered freight train again. I did catch two more 2102 revenue freight runs last summer with none other than Andy Muller himself at the throttle! If you'd like to check them out, I've got the mixed-freight train at kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2TZdJh4f82bjpI and the coal drag at kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqbHk2aahs5jrtU. I'm really happy that I could bring back such joyful memories for you!

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

It is an incredible sight to see a steam locomotive hauling a freight train consist during the modern era, I am glad that a Reading rr t1 class 4-8-4 has been restored back to operation. Reading & Northern 2102 delivered an impressive performance hauling the coal hoppers, it's great to see that another 4-8-4 type steam locomotive has been returned to service again.

[@JamieMakin]

It was pretty amazing to catch this! RBMN has done a fantastic job bringing 2102 back to life, and they've got even more upgrades coming for this year. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@kristoffermangila]

This video of a steam locomotive pulling coal hoppers (albeit empties) and a caboose is like a blast from the past! It reminds me of the time Union Pacific used 844 to pull manifest freight during traffic surges...

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a bucket list item of mine to see a steam engine pulling a freight train. A few weeks ago they did it again, only this time it was a revenue run! Less cars, but they were loaded. Would have been fun to see UP 844 in service doing the same!

[@terrygraham5901]

My favorite car is the caboose's love train horn 📯 sounds good from Indiana Terry

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it Terry! I'm always happy when I get to see a caboose too.

[@jimcarey9523]

Not a train without a cabin car on the rear!

[@JamieMakin]

@@jimcarey9523 Agreed!

[@Alco244]

Almost like we stepped back in time... Awesome shots!

[@JamieMakin]

It sure felt that way! For me it was like time traveling to before I was born!

[@dannytfp2156]

Glad to see that you crossed it off the bucket list! I wish I could see that too one day.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, and I hope you get your chance someday too. I know Strasburg sometimes uses one of their steamers to move freight to and from the NS mainline. That's the only other chance I can think of to catch something like this.

[@rj78productions88]

Such a fun day and experience. Great captures and glad you got the cab ride. Made for an epic bonus for you.

[@JamieMakin]

2102 or a cab ride by themselves would have made for a great day, but doing both in the same day was truly epic! Not kidding when I saw it was one of the best days of my life!

[@freddysnewchannel8885]

I didn't need to chase them when I was a kid, we were about 500 metres from the line and we'd hear 'em chuggin' past and smell that great smell of burning coal and see 'em too. We'd catch the 3801 steam drawn train home from school every arvo if we wanted as well. Ah the 1960s a great time to be young and alive, choot choot, wooo woo.

[@JamieMakin]

Oh wow, that's really awesome to have had that kind of access!

[@samanthab1923]

My sons van driver told him of freight & coal trains that used to come thru Lambertville NJ like that. Daily! On the old Bel-Del line.

[@Hellcatgranny_]

This was a lot of fun! Love the steam locomotives! Thank you, Jamie! 🌻🌻🌻

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it my friend! I had an absolutely amazing day chasing it around! 🚂📹🛻🤩

[@nigelslade5276]

Wonderful, fill the hoppers with coal and make 2102 work even harder.

[@JamieMakin]

Last Friday they did two more runs - one with 100 empty hoppers, and another with 50 loaded hoppers! Unfortunately I had to work and missed it, but I've seen some videos. Quite impressive!

[@gaylebrodt676]

What a great video, loved it all! So awesome! Thank you so much Jamie!

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it Gayle! I had a lot of fun chasing it around!

[@BeeLineEast]

I saw it but i do not remember it. My father used to take me to a crossing and said i got all excited seeing it. this was on the Reading Line west towards Harrisburg. Nice video.

[@JamieMakin]

Very cool! I would bet I saw it as a kid too, but I don't remember either. My dad took us to see a lot of steam engines, but other than Strasburg's, Black River and Western #60, and C&O #614, I don't remember any of them specifically either.

[@samhendrix378]

There's a lot of steam locomotive's being restored in the last couple of years, and a lot beginning to be restored, Make's you wonder if steam is making a come back due to high cost of oil and unnecessary regulations.

[@AlyxForest]

Quite possibly. Steam engines can burn a wide variety of fuels (think of biomass for instance), have high torque even when standing still, and can be quieter than a diesel or diesel-electric locomotive. Once oil becomes too expensive or engines are unable to meet emission regulations, steam might make a comeback as a primary mode of traction. Not to mention modern steam technology is remarkably efficient and safe.

[@JamieMakin]

I had heard something about using "alternative fuels" like biomass for steam locomotives. I've got to learn more about this! It will be interesting to see if steam does have a renaissance in the coming years.

[@JamieMakin]

It's great to see so many being brought back to life, and I'm looking forward to all of the restorations that have just begun. When you consider that a steam locomotive like this has more traction power than a diesel, there really is potential. I wouldn't be surprised if R&N uses it on occasion for revenue freight runs.

[@K-Effect]

Fuel prices is one thing but maintenance is a different expensive ball game with steam locomotives

[@paulsmith5398]

Brings back great memories when 2101 came to Central Illinois in 1975 with the American Freedom Train! LOVE THAT WHISTLE!!

[@JamieMakin]

That's awesome Paul! I was very, very young when the American Freedom Train came around, but I do vaguely remember it. Interestingly I got to see 2101/#1 at the B&O Museum last summer. It's in sad shape, but it was still nice to revisit.

[@paulsmith5398]

@@JamieMakin yes, it was severely damaged in a roundhouse fire, while it was operating as the Chessie Steam Special locomotive. I have Super 8 sound movies of it in central Illinois, that really need to be put on DVD or some kind of digital recording. And heres an interesting footnote about that engine, as it was travelling southeast from Havana to Springfield Illinois, it ruptured an oil line just north of Petersburg. And, as luck would happen, it came to a stop directly across the highway from a John Deere implement dealer. They fabricated a new oil line for it PDQ, and enabled the Freedom Train to only be a few minutes off schedule coming into Springfield. I didnt get a close up of the repair, but its visible in my movie, from a short distance.

[@JamieMakin]

@@paulsmith5398 yeah that's really sad about the fire damage. And that's a heck of a cool story about the John Deere dealer fabricating a new oil line for it. Awesome! That would be really cool if you could get your old footage converted to digital. My father has a lot of old footage of trains too that my sister is trying to get a hold of for conversion. There will undoubtedly be Freedom Train footage in there when she gets it.

[@paulsmith5398]

@@JamieMakin there is another halfway famous engine at the B&O museum, its the PRR GG1 #4876, it was involved as a runaway train in the 1950s pulling the Federal Express to President Eisenhowers second term inauguration. A faulty angle cock for the air brakes on the third car failed, and their were absolutely no brakes to be had coming into the Washington D.C. station at approximately 80 mph. The concourse was quickly evacuated, and the train plowed partially through there, before collapsing the concourse floor. There were a lot of injuries, but nobody lost their lives, the 4876 was rebuilt, and served into the early years of Conrail before coming to the B&O MUSEUM.

[@JamieMakin]

I caught a glimpse of #4876 during my visit the B&O last year! They had it parked at the restoration shop, and we rode past it on the rails heading to the Diesel Day demonstration. I would love to see them restore it, but I've heard their interest in doing so is low since it's not B&O equipment. IMO they'd be better off sending it somewhere like Strasburg that could restore and preserve it. It's got such an historic backstory that it should really be better cared for and displayed.

[@mysticrailroad]

very nice! :)

[@JamieMakin]

Sure was!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

2102 is flying!!

[@JamieMakin]

It sure is!

[@dennis78382]

❤️🚂❤️

[@JamieMakin]

Glad you enjoyed it buddy! I found out yesterday that about 1 of 6 operational steam locomotives in the US is here in PA. That also means I have a whole bunch more I haven't chased yet lol! Ready to move back yet?

[@bobellis2026]

It would be really good to have 2102&2100 hooked up on. A double headed trip

[@JamieMakin]

That would be awesome! I hope they'll find a way to make that happen when 2100 is back on the rails.

[@bobellis2026]

@@JamieMakin l hear its almost finished

[@Franco-dg9bn]

cool