Reading Company HN-23 and NH-17 Operating on Jim Hertzog's Shamokin Division

Join us for a trek through Anthracite Country as we follow Reading's HN-23 (Rutherford - Newberry Jct.) westward over the Shamokin Division between Tamaqua and Shamokin. We observe setouts being made at Tamaqua and St. Nicholas, and scenes along the Mahanoy and Shamokin (M&S), including East Mahanoy Junction, Mahanoy City, Lavelle, and others. We also observe the train cresting the 2.6% Locust Summit grade, and descending the 1.4% into Shamokin.
Turning at Shamokin, we then follow NH-17 (Newberry Jct. - Rutherford) east to Tamaqua. We catch the train swinging downgrade at Locustdale Junction, and passing a mine run local at Gordon, before making a pickup at St. Nicholas.
A three-builder lashup of second generation diesels leads the action on both trains, much to our delight.
Filmed on 1-31-2022 on Jim Hertzog's wonderful Shamokin Division layout.
Special thanks to Jim for allowing me to film on his layout. It is a true work of art!!
Enjoy!

[@hoscalereadingrailroadhobb6314]

Very awsome! My parents grewup in Pottsville during the 1950's, moved out in 1976. I have 3 generations of Reading Lines Workers in my family. I have a Ho layout and hoping to expand and model both Pottsville and the Bethlehem Branch. Also my Grandfather was a brakeman on Reading GP-30's.

[@tommythomason6187]

Reminds me of genius Allen McClellan's Virginian and Ohio. Great work!

[@jeffmurphree2937]

Excellent layout! Thank you for sharing!

[@johnshucavage3065]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@jjsmith406]

I like how the camera angles are at eye level. Very realistic. Quite a different perspective on viewing the scenery. Well done.

[@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering]

Incredible layout!

[@Yada_EL]

Detail on engines amd boxcars is amazing very nice🔥

[@johnhemple7459]

Beautiful

[@stevenikitas8170]

Love the old Alcos and GP30.... It's a real period piece.

[@davidbrown4823]

Incredible. Thank You.

[@gunny8978]

One awesome layout, detailed in every expect compliments sir

[@jameskostyla4924]

Beautiful layout. Video of train jerks.

[@dougbetz6074]

John, that was great! Well shot and so fun to go up the line to Shamokin!

[@johnshucavage3065]

Thank you kindly! It was a fun experience to film this video, so glad you enjoyed it!!

[@duanegregg6222]

Very nice..!

[@christzaffary4304]

Amazing detail. Nicely done!

[@user-ib4iq6tx4w]

Hermosa maqueta lindas locomotoras

[@rpscsx]

Now that's an awesome layout sir. Very nice work

[@robertdavenport5457]

Nice. Thanks

[@rogerhuber3133]

I love Jim's work. Great layout.

[@davidcurtis5398]

Looks like this might be a real nice road. to bad we didn't see more of the scenery and track work and less of the rains running by close up.

[@charlieseidelmann6702]

Great video! Great scenery and railroad. I didn’t know Jim had switched eras?

[@johnshucavage3065]

He didn't, his layout is still mid 50s. The train depicts 1970s.

[@user-ib4iq6tx4w]

Cuanto cuesta una locomotora aca en mexico no hay y si venden son carisimas super hermosas locomotoras

[@kenmccorry5200]

Nicely done. I have a feeling that the train was visiting equipment I don't think Jim has changed eras. Who let the orange blossom hoppers out of limestone service ?

[@johnshucavage3065]

Correct, the train depicts 1970s whereas Jim's layout is still 1950s. I have photos of those orange panel hoppers in coal service, some even tarped for carrying fine coal that might blow away if not covered.

[@jefferykeeper9034]

It would be nice that people didn't change camera angles before you see all of the train !!!

[@johnshucavage3065]

Filming of this video is based on the Mark I Video Productions series called the Reading Company Scrapbook. The footage used was pieced together in the same fashion, often only seeing the locomotives pass before skipping to the end of the train, or to the next scene.