Reading & Northern 2102: Thunder on The Road of Anthracite - Iron Horse Rambles

The year 2022 marked the return of the Reading Iron Horse Rambles, headed by Reading T-1 2102. Throughout the summer, the thunderous locomotives attracted vast crowds pulling sold out trips from Reading to Jim Thorpe and return. The flashy 4-8-4 rambled through Pennsylvania's Anthracite Region, with the sound of its stack talk echoing around mountains and valleys, effortlessly taking the title of the loudest steam locomotive in the United States. The locomotive was sporting her original Reading Hooter and her famous Reading 6 Chime. Join along as we document this marvel of 20th century engineering.
The Reading 2102 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1923, originally designated as an I-10sa class 2-8-0, 2044. By 1945, the Reading's growing demand for more powerful locomotives was answered, the locomotive was rebuilt into a T-1 class 4-8-4 in their very own shops. The T-1s performed beautifully, hauling coal trains across miles of track and up steep mount grades. This tenure eventually came to an end in 1956, when the Reading ended steam operation. The future was bleak, as 2102 became a steam generator for a steel plant. However, on April 29th, 1962, the locomotive exited an extensive restoration, pulling the Iron Horse Rambles along sister T-1 locomotives. By 1965, the Rambles ended, and 2102 was sold off. Again, she would not sit idle for long, as she ran all across the Northeast. In 1985, 2102 was sold to Andy Muller, owner of the up and coming Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. 2102 ran for another six years, making her final run on October 27, 1991. While she was moved around here and there, the locomotive sat dormant until January 2016, when it was announced the locomotive would undergo restoration in the Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern's steam shops. After six years, the locomotive is once again riding the rails of the steel road.
Special Thanks:
Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern Railroad
RBM&N Passenger Department
The Crew of 2102
Reading & Northern Shop Crew
Andy Muller
RBM&N Passenger Department:
www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/
Locations:
0:00 Cross Keys
0:47 Dauberville
1:08 Molino
1:49 Tuscarora
2:52 Tamaqua Tunnel
3:53 East Mahanoy Junction
4:31 Milepost 108
4:55 Lake Drive
5:43 Nesquehoning Junction
10:44 Nesquehoning Tunnel
11:59 Hometown Hill
13:02 Marian Ave
13:49 Orchard Road
14:27 Zehners
14:47 Rauschs
15:17 Molino
16:06 Hamburg
16:34 Peacock's Lock Viaduct
Filmed on July 2nd & September 3rd, 2022.
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©Train Chamber Productions 2022
All Rights Reserved
This video may not be reproduced, copied, or redistributed without the permission of Train Chamber Productions. These videos require time, effort, and numerous resources, in order to be produced. Any unauthorized reproduction will be taken down with accordance to international copyright laws.
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[@ThePennsylvaniaRailfan]

Good work Joe, I had a good time hanging out with you and Mark on the third for the majority of the afternoon

[@TrainChamber]

Thank you! It was great getting to see ya out there

[@TyTytheTrainGuy]

Amazing video Joe!

[@TrainChamber]

Thank you, Ty!

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

This chase definitely felt like something else but I won't complain, it was probably the most fun I've ever had on a chase. Great work Joe, can't wait to see more.

[@TrainChamber]

Thanks Jack! The July Ramble was one to remember.

[@MPT_Productions]

Very nice video, Joe! I had a great time chasing with you on all of these trips, and also enjoyed seeing a lot of new angles in this video!

[@TrainChamber]

Thanks Mark! I enjoyed it all as well!

[@RailWeekly]

Great catches! I rode the September 3rd trip. It was a great experience!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome video! I saw 2102 in May and in August with 425!

[@TrainChamber]

Thanks! The doubleheader was the one Ramble I couldn't make it to unfortunately.

[@Engineer5344]

awesome video joe, just absolutely awesome. lets hope they run these rambles every year so that more and more people can enjoy them. i know i did.

[@TrainChamber]

Thanks! The rambles were indeed a great site to see

[@sirtrailproductions8198]

Such an awesome job on this video Joe!!!

[@TrainChamber]

Thanks Joe!!!

[@mumumaaaah]

Train chamber productions you did really well filming this T-1 I hope I see more In 2023

[@TrainChamber]

Im hoping to see 2102 in many future years to come

[@strodden2]

Nice video. Anyone else notice the guy flipping people off at 11:40?

[@TrainChamber]

my guy i was hoping no one pointed that out

[@strodden2]

@@TrainChamber oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to blow up your spot.

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

@@TrainChamber SAD!!!!

[@TrainChamber]

@@strodden2 lol thats ok

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

Fantastic. would number 425 run the autumn train blowing a B&M 6 chime.

[@TrainChamber]

Who knows

[@cindynonayerbiz4043]

Which one of you guys was in the black mustang and chased the train all the way back to Reading from Jim Thorpe???

[@TrainChamber]

Im not sure who he is, but im pretty sure he doesnt have the greatest reputation

[@brianfalzon6739]

2102 should do the Reading/Pittston/Scranton/Sayre excursions one day, before 425 goes down for a 1472 Day Inspection and FRA overhaul, she could lead the 2102 and F Units as well.

[@TrainChamber]

ok

[@brianfalzon6739]

@@TrainChamber 425 is not only one, Strasburg 90 is too! But they’ll be back after their overhauls are completed!

[@brianfalzon6739]

@@TrainChamber both 90 and 425 will be back from their overhauls!

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

No

[@TrainChamber]

ok!