Reading & Northern's new train! Part 1 of 4 - the walk-around

[@1995express]

6:55 Back when the Reading & Northern was the Blue Mountain & Reading, the company had a rake of five ex-DL&W low roof cars. They were numbered 320-324 and were painted Tuscan red while the high-roof cars were painted green at the time. They were on the BM&R from 1983 till 1990 when they were sold to the Great Smoky Mountains Railway and renumbered to a 520 series. Two of them were sold to the Heber Valley Railroad in 1992 where they still reside to this day. I have no idea where the other three ended up.

[@JamieMakin]

Great info, thanks! That was all before my time at the railroad, so it's good to learn more about our history.

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

What do you mean we don’t name 300s! Obviously they’ll all be renamed to Ol’ Reliable! 😂 Nice overview video though Jamie, looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@JamieMakin]

Hahahaha!!! Yeah, I do have to resist the urge to cut stencils to name them that! 🤣

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

@ I really wanna see one now 🤣

[@JamieMakin]

Me too lol!!!!

[@dennis78382]

Howdy Jamie! Happy New Year! New train! Shiny! Congratulations! Tongue Twisters!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Dennis! I thought I'd finally become fluent in speaking Pennsylvanian until I came across these cars lol! A few viewers commented with the correct pronunciations, so hopefully I sound at least a little more intelligent when I film my walkthrough video.

[@RonMontagueSWRR]

Thanks for sharing Jamie. I'm so happy for you guys. These cars are nice and will make a great addition to the railroad.😊👍🏾

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Ron, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! This is an exciting next chapter for us as we continue to grow. I can't wait to film more of these cars and also do my part for the lettering, numbering, and other graphics that will integrate them into our growing fleet.

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

Fabulous to see this great railroad solve a great problem -- TOO MANY PASSENGERS! -- with the acquisition of a great trainset! Bravo, Jamie -- looking forward to parts 2-4!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks! It is indeed a great problem to have, and I hope to see the problem continue to grow lol! Glad you enjoyed the first video, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

[@cpbethlehem6548]

Wahooo. Thank you Jamie. Cant wait to ride them.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I'm hoping to see them in service soon.

[@1995express]

6:22 Trivial fact: During the 1990s when the DL&W high-roofs were still painted green, four of them were named after BM&R employees; 301 was Robert I. Wentzel, 302: Raymond Hamilton, 303: Martis L. Griesemer, and 304: Charles L. Kachel. And of course, there's also observation car No. 30 Glen Onoko Falls, which itself is a modified DL&W high-roof coach and was originally numbered 300 & named "Queen of the Valley".

[@maxm2317]

@@1995express For a while she was numbered 5 and named “Schuylkill River” until she was overhauled, renumbered, renamed and put back into service.

[@JamieMakin]

Great information, thanks!! I'm still learning the history of the railroad from before I lived in this area.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Max!

[@maxm2317]

@@JamieMakin My pleasure, Jamie.

[@maestromecanico597]

Excellent all the way around. The new acquisitions will slot in nicely with the fleet.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks so much!

[@TheShortlinefoamer]

Hey jamie! I agree, these names on the coaches aren’t great. But they look amazing. Excited to see how they look in r&n paint, especially the lower roof DLW! Scott

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Scott! A few viewers commented with the correct pronunciations, so hopefully that helps me when I film my walkthrough video.

[@DillonTrinhProductions]

These would look great with the RBMN livery

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to seeing that too!

[@bekleidungu.ausrustung7068]

Great job Jaime! I love rare mileage videos, so should be great!!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks! I'm transferring over the rare mileage footage to begin editing it as soon as it's ready. Hoping to get it done today to post tomorrow morning (Sunday); if not it'll be out Monday morning.

[@J.Tstudioproduction6375]

I'll be honest, the Reading and Northern should keep the PRR Liveries, I know all of them use to be part from separate railways, but i couldn't help but admire the red maroon paint on these great passenger cars. most PRR passenger cars aren't seen much on excursion trains nowadays, most of them are either in museums on static display, or still in use around other heritage lines in other states. so keeping the PRR paint schemes on the passenger cars would be very nice to see again.

[@JamieMakin]

I love the PRR liveries too, but realistically I know they'll be switched to Reading & Northern. As a kid the PRR was one of my favorite railroads, and I had an N scale steam engine and set of PRR coaches for it (I still have them actually). They are a rare sight in the real world now, so I'd say enjoy them while you can.

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Very nice, like

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks so much!

[@MarkRBlackwell]

Congratulations to you all for obtaining a virtually ready to go trainset! That chicopee falls would make a great tool car for use on steam excursions. Give you a lot more room to store all the grease and oil supplies, etc. Regardless of what you all decide I'm sure they'll look great once outshopped from Cressona Shop. Hope you're still enjoying your new job. Saw you in the magazine! Keep in touch.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Mark! That's a cool idea about the Chicopee Falls car. I'll pass that along as we're still brainstorming uses for it. My job is going great, and getting to share my ideas with management is one of the perks of it too. Cool that you saw the magazine, and hope to catch up with you more soon.

[@peterrothwell1116]

Awesome video you should keep the number 1962 that was the year I was born all those cars are beautiful hope you can keep them close to orginal

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks so much!! The cars all being renumbered though, and 1962 will become 312.

[@davidmorris7696]

Sweet!

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks!

[@marilynscull4585]

Awesome video Jamie

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Marilyn!

[@maxm2317]

I’ll be in the area tomorrow afternoon while chasing NRFF, so I’ll swing by Nesquehoning to check out the latest acquisitions. Looking forward to seeing your next videos in this series, Jamie.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Max! Hopefully you were able to chase the NRFF and check these cars out. I'm about to edit the next video with the hopes of getting it out tomorrow (Sunday) morning, or Monday morning if it takes longer than planned.

[@maxm2317]

@ I must’ve missed it yesterday. Sat in my car in New Ringgold for three hours and saw nothing.

[@JamieMakin]

Ah, bummer. I wasn't sure what day you were referring to, but yesterday it was annulled.

[@maxm2317]

Aw, crud monkeys, I thought so. Not enough cars in either Reading or Pittston?

[@JamieMakin]

That seems to be the case. It's been a lot shorter most days and has been getting annulled about twice a week. I've heard it slows down in the winter, so hopefully it'll pick back up as we get closer to spring.

[@bobjohnston8316]

I rode in one of the ex-Lackawanna coaches a few years back when the RR Museum of PA sponsored a rare mileage excursion from Sunbury up to the beginning of Reading and Northern trackage, just shy of Mt. Carmel, then back to Shamokin for a lunch stop and return to Sunbury. The model RR club in Shamokin had their huge layout open to visitors and there’s a great hot dog shop there! As the day went on it got hotter and hotter and I don’t think that we ever exceeded 15MPH. I felt a lot of relief when I piled into the air conditioned charter bus. Still, a great day!

[@JamieMakin]

That sounds like a fun day, and reminds me of the insane heat on our Iron Horse Ramble to Tunkhannock last year. Once you cool off after the ride, it all feels worthwhile.

[@BradyAunkst]

Worked on this train for many years with Jeff. Sorry to see it leave. A lot of good memories! Glad to see it live in in one way or another. I am disappointed to hear the baggage car will be converted to a generator car!

[@JamieMakin]

Glad to hear you have a lot of good memories of this train, and I'm sure that you'll be missing it. From the photos I've seen it looks like you guys had a really cool setup inside the baggage car, so I can understand why you'd feel that way. I still haven't done my walkthrough video, but I'm hoping to catch it before they empty it out. And I hope they save all the cool stuff inside.

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Pronunication troubles Jamie? Probably the cold affecting you! That baggage car was a New York Central car? Wow, I'm surprised the Pennsylvania name and Tuscan Red paint didn't burn off as soon as it was applied! I guess that old NYC/ PRR grudge is past history now! Looking forward to the video of the trip from Mount Caramel. Whoops, the cold's affecting MY pronunciations too! It's chill down here in VA! 🤣 Thanks for posting!

[@JamieMakin]

Mount Caramel lol!!! Now guess what I'll be craving the rest of the day! Glad you enjoyed the first part, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.

[@bensmodelrailroad]

I hope they stay in the original paint!

[@JamieMakin]

Much as I love the PRR paint jobs, these are cars are not originally PRR. It'll be a while til we get them all painted, but they'll eventually (likely) all be done to match our other coaches.

[@bensmodelrailroad]

@ Fantastic!

[@ryanthesteamman]

Quite exciting since I rode in one of those coaches back in 2004 on a Nittany & Bald Eagle excursion! So seeing these having a new home is quite interesting! I wonder what plans there is for these and what'll replace the ones from North Shore. If R&N is looking for more coaches, maybe those from the Age of Steam Roundhouse (former GTW coaches) could be of use!

[@JamieMakin]

Cool that you've ridden in these coaches before. I know North Shore issued a statement that they'll be looking for a new source for passenger coaches, but I don't know their railroad much at all. Hopefully they find something that works for them. I'll have to see if R&N is still looking for more after this, or whether this will meet our needs for a while. But I'll keep the GTW ones in mind if they continue to search.

[@ryanthesteamman]

@@JamieMakin That's nice! I look forward to what North Shore acquires! Plus, there's plenty of coaches on Ozark Mountain Railcar that R&N can checkout. Not a lot, but there's some that could maybe fit their needs (Not sure what exactly they're looking for) and just to help you all out in possible places to get newer coaches. Of course, I'm not sure if AOS is willing to sell one or some of the GTW ones, but again, a little idea on where to possibly get more!

[@brianfalzon6739]

Those coaches would look great behind 425 and 1361!

[@robkrasinski6217]

But they will now never be able to go to the Nittany and Bald Eagle to be used behind the 1361 in the future since RBMN owns them. I was hoping that the PRR painted coaches would be used behind the 1361 in the future.

[@WilliamDavis734]

That 11776 was once on the Western Maryland scenic railroad in the 90s. carried number 5310, which came from the New Jersey transit. On the WMSR, it carried the Tuscan red paint as their other passenger cars. Also carried the redskins logos on each end of the car and had lettering applied to it that said To Jack Kent Cooke Redskin. Jack was the owner of the redskins at the time.

[@JamieMakin]

Good info on 11776, thanks for sharing!

[@WilliamDavis734]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpzNpaF8abCFjLssi=5hTSVwGSzbdVRk3S

[@WilliamDavis734]

This link will take you to a video from the wmsr in 1995. 11776 is the first car right behind 734.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[@TrainmanBrando]

The museum I used to volunteer at also have a low roof Lackawanna car, that AFAIK is rarely used, they might be willing to give it up for a reasonable price, too, if you need another one.

[@JamieMakin]

Cool! What museum are you with? I'll mention it to management and see if it's something they want to look into.

[@TrainmanBrando]

@JamieMakin Minnesota Transportation museum in Saint Paul, MN. I’m no longer active with them, since I moved away from that area, so i can’t speak on any official basis, just thought I’d mention it. Also, it still has plain bearings so it can’t be moved on the class 1 rail network

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks for the info. They pretty much only consider cars that can be moved by rail, so that probably rules that one out. Still good to know it's out there though, thanks.

[@TrainmanBrando]

@@JamieMakin totally understandable, it was a slight fixer upper anyway. But you’re welcome ! Good luck on the upcoming season!

[@Greatdome99]

Chickopee Falls was built by Pullman-Standard for the NYC in 1940. It was built as a 6 bedroom-buffet-lounge, assigned to the general pool.

[@JamieMakin]

Cool info, thanks!

[@raymondchason2877]

jamie how far is your office from port clinton where the diesel and steam shops are located any update on getting 2102 and 425 back

[@JamieMakin]

It's about a 45 minute drive, hence why I don't get there often (and usually don't have extra time when I do). 2102 is good to go and will be doing the first Ramble of 2025 on February 8th. 425 will be back sometime in the second half of the year, probably for fall foliate grips.

[@kevinsalsbury2118]

So there is this incredible Reading bridge that was part of the Catawissa branch. It’s long abandoned but incredible to see. Any way the name of the creek that this bridge crosses is the Chillisquaque.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

Nice

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Guss!

[@OldsVistaCruiser]

Jamie, try "chill-a-squak-waw," "tee-a-daw-ton" and "tuhl-pah-hock-en."

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks so much! I haven't done my walkthrough video yet, but this will help a lot once I do.

[@Skeeterguy24]

Is it time to consider heritage units for Reading and Northern? It would be way cool! Great video!

[@Act-Anth]

They have one, the 1983

[@Skeeterguy24]

I had to pause, 1983, 42 years does fit as legacy! I was thinking deeper legacy as PRR and/or NYC. Think how cool they would look! 👍🏼

[@JamieMakin]

The 1983 is our true heritage unit, though all of our green and yellow diesels could also be considered heritage units as they use the old Reading paint scheme. I'd love to eventually see some as CNJ, LNE, or other railroads that contributed to our history. The F units do draw inspiration from the old LNE schemes. And the ex-NYC North by Northwest dining car #1166 uses the NYC font.

[@danshobbies13]

Are they using these as commuter trains? I’m always confused. In Jim Thorpe it’s Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railroad. Is that train ride separate from RBMN? The cars look beautiful.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks! These will all be used on tourist trains, though many of the coaches were originally used on commuter trains. The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad operates the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway along with doing excursions on other parts of the railroad. We don't do commuter service as the area doesn't have a high enough demand for it to be worthwhile.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

i see some are PRR passenger cars Would R&N 425 run to steamtown and Buffalo.

[@JamieMakin]

I love the PRR paint jobs, but these are not originally PRR cars. They'll eventually get redone as Reading & Northern. Unfortunately there's little to no chance of 425 ever going to Steamtown or Buffalo since we don't own the tracks to get there.

[@Engineer5344]

excellent shots of the new cars jamie, if im not mistaken there are two real reading baggage cars on a siding behind the diesel shop in port clinton. is andy gonna use them for generator cars too? plus there are passenger cars stored at schuykillhaven station. im sure you guys have plans for all of them?

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video! There are indeed two baggage cars at Port Clinton, though I don't know their lineage. There's no specific plans for any of the cars you mentioned, but there are ideas floating around. I think our 300-series DL&W coaches and the new consist will get taken care of first, but things are always subject to change.

[@Engineer5344]

@@JamieMakin ok thanks 😁

[@AaronsHartman]

Here a idea. why not the cnj coach should have the cnj logo as well as the reading and northern.

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks for the idea. Might be a while til we get around to redesigning and repainting these.

[@seantoris1763]

Were they MU cars (the Lackawanna ones) ?

[@ohiovalleyrailfan]

Only coach 1962 is. It's a low roof trailer.

[@JamieMakin]

I'm not sure if they were MU cars, but hopefully when I get to walk through them I'll find out. The fold down engineer seats and end windows in the vestibules are the giveaways. I wasn't able to do the walkthrough Friday as planned, but hoping for sometime next week.

[@bobjohnston8316]

I have a gift for Andy Musser if you can tell me how to get it to him. I have an 11” X 14” enlargement of the 425 numbered as 580 in service on the GM&O. Long story short, I’m pushing 80 now and I worked on her back in her Valley Forge Scenic days. There used to be guys such as Rail Photo Service that Advertised in Trains that you could buy enlargements from their huge libraries of rail photos. I bought the biggest enlargement of 425/580 that they sold. I need to downsize and get rid of stuff. I have boxes and boxes of timetables and official guides and RDG steam negatives and prints. But, the 425 was special to me and I’d like the print to go to a good home. I never quite qualified to fire the 425 before we shut down. The Valley Forge Scenic. I did later stints at New Hope and the Morristown & Erie operation where I did get to fire and run. Fond memories!

[@JamieMakin]

Hello, and thanks for sharing some of your cool memories regarding 425. I mentioned to management your offer of that enlargement, and they are sure Andy would love to have it. They said for you to call our main office at 610-562-2100 to make arrangements to send it to him. Thanks, and I hope I get to see it when it arrives!

[@joegotlewski413]

I think that they are pronounced “Chilli-Squawk”, “Tia-Day-Ton”, and “Toll-Penn-Hawk” Can’t wait to see what the interiors of the cars look like and what you have in store for the graphic designing Jamie! Hope to see you out on February 8th for the Winter Ramble!🚂❄️

[@JamieMakin]

Thanks Joe! I still have to film the walkthrough of the cars, so the pronunciations will help. I'm looking forward to doing my part to make these cars fit in with the rest of our fleet.