Top 10 Retired Steam Excursion Stars - Part Three

[@PennsyPro]

2024 UPDATE: No. 2102 returned to service in 2022 and now operates regularly in various capacities for the Reading & Northern, including a series of revived Iron Horse Rambles. No. 2100's restoration continues, and will now include a conversion to oil firing and a debut as American Freedom Train No. 250. While you're here, SUBSCRIBE for the most riveting stories in railroading!

[@Sano_Kiyoshiro]

I almost was in tears when i heard about the 2100 sitting outside not cared for at all!

[@Railfan105.]

Yeah, and then the crappy oil conversion and paint job was even worse.

[@KurtisHooey]

I LOVED THIS. I learned more in the hour watching these 3 videos than i would have spending a week at school. Very well done!

[@Alex-io5el]

It’s kind of funny that NKP#765 seems to “clean up” after a lot of retirees’ messes.

[@WETrains]

I asked a member of the VMT and Fire Up 611 about 1218 a few years ago before 611 moved to Spencer. He said that when 611 was done, 1218 was next on the list for restoration. I guess these plans were canned when the program ended and the lack of a facility that would host 1218 during its restoration.

[@PennsyPro]

It would’ve been neat to see 1218 steaming again, but it is highly unlikely. Along with there being no more NS Steam Program and no place to host the engine, the condition of the locomotive is very poor. From what I’ve heard, she is quite literally a shell of what she once was, with both of the flue sheets and all of the tubes and flues gone. All of the firebrick and grates are also missing. The rear engine is allegedly refurbished, but the front engine never received an overhaul. All of the missing items could potentially be made new again, but not without great cost. For a nonprofit, it is most likely not financially feasible to restore an engine with that many parts missing.

[@regularguy7266]

It's so exciting to known that most of the top steam excursion stars are coming back. Reading 2100 and 2102, PRR 1361, C&O 2716, GTW 4070, and many more!

[@AdmiralColdhead]

Poor 1218. I feel like these locomotives go through a lot, some of them witnessing the death of their sisters. She’s the only class A and she got so far. These railroading companies put a lot of locomotives down to modernization. They were American pride. 1218 should really be run again. It’s sad.

[@lian3101]

with a favourable change in NS management and people and money to restore it, 1218 might run again in the not too distant future

[@thehalotrolls7748]

@@lian3101 I've seen her to many times to count,each time sadder than the last

[@lian3101]

@@thehalotrolls7748 i need to go see 1218 one of these days, if she were to run again in the not too distant future

[@darknessfalls_hellfire2551]

I agree. With that.. 1218. Deserves another chance at life. Its sad that 1218 is in store age. But someone needs to buy her and restore her to back to steam. It deserves another chance. At steam

[@b3j8]

Rdg 2124 was the first steam locomotive i ever heard, at age 8. I loved the sound of that Rdg G3 Pacific whistle she usually carried! Be nice to see her run again someday.

[@matthewjachtorowycz2455]

7:06 ironically, there is another thing 1218 and 3985 have in common: their both retired

[@RetinazerProductionsOfficial]

#3985 is getting restored rn, so not anymore

[@fanboyofabandonedthings481]

Man, I feel bad for 2100. It's one thing to give her an unappealing livery, but converting it into an historically inaccurate oil burner, not only ruining its original mechanical condition, but not even improving performance, just worsening it, is a genuine slap in the face to the original builders. In comparison to 3985, not only was the 1990 conversion to oil done professionally there, but was also historically justifiable because many of the Challengers were converted to burn oil in the early to late 1940s. Though it is very nice to hear that 2100 is getting some well deserved love and appreciation by her new owners.

[@lennyhendricks4628]

I do have to mention something regarding the remark that 1218 is the only 2-6-6-4 left in the world today. While that is undeniably true, it is worth mentioning that there were only 3 classes of 2-6-6-4's ever built (and N&W's were undoubtedly the best). The three RR's with 2-6-6-4's were Pittsburgh and West Virginia, Seaboard Air Line and of course N&W. 4-6-6-4's were much more common and could be found on UP, NP, D&RGW, Clinchfield, D&H and WM, SP&S and WP among others.

[@couldyourepeatthat7182]

2102 was test fired not a while ago and it worked out perfect, all they need to do is to fix the body of the T1.

[@robertbruce1887]

Thank you for these excellent videos depicting the majestic surviving steam locomotives, great to see many of them still in action, the rest mostly being restored. None of them being scrapped. As a Canadian wishing we had more steam restoration l really admire how somebody always eventually steps up to the plate to save these great locomotives! I can remember as a child then teenager steam locomotives ( 4-8-4 ,#6167,6218,6060) steaming up from Toronto, getting their water tanks refilled by the local volunteer fire department then coming up to our local crossing with a huge cloud of steam & smoke, really working hard as it is an uphill grade from Toronto. Sadly, none of these steamers are running any more, but on static display in different Canadian towns.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

2102 was also used by famed entrepreneur Ross Rowland leased from Bill Benson in 1972 for the High Iron Company Trips in Eastern PA and down to Washington.

[@SouthernRails1210]

10:56 that is like *Close* to my house (20 years before)

[@PowerTrain611]

Thank you for not mentioning the ditchlights on 2100. Regulations on ditch lights at that time were a gray area in the US and Canada and it was better to be safe than sorry. Fortunately, it's much clearer now that it will not require them upon it's restoration.

[@earllutz2663]

ALL three videos were excellent. I really like steam locomotives & if I had unlimited funds, I wuld have a brand new (Allegany 2666) built.

[@alexlife470]

I cant wait to see 2100 & 2102 return to service!!!

[@masterbadger9408]

I know 1218 is really cool but imagine if 2156 could run! A mallet getting to be restored for maybe a mainline?! That would be beautiful!

[@stevew270]

2156 has a cracked frame.

[@masterbadger9408]

@@stevew270 Yeah, I now know, and it’s sad

[@dergenmusic2081]

Awesome video man! I loved your use of Alpha at the end! Gave me chills

[@TheLongIslandRailfan]

Update April 2022: 2102’s restoration and test runs were complete and is scheduled to haul the 2022 Iron Horse Rambles on May 28, July 3, August 13, and September 3.

[@KISSFanDan1995]

The 2102 is officially running now as of April 12th 2022.

[@stephenmarshall3771]

We can all hope that with the massive interest generated with the big boy, that N/S nowadays may be a little bit more inclined to restore 1218 as it would be the only engine like it on the east coast. I luckily just saw the 611 at Strasburg railroad along with 475 and it was a great event, atleast at the end of the day we have 611 back for what seems like a long time.

[@PennsyPro]

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that this will happen. Since I made this video, I discovered that the 1218 is quite literally a shell of her former self. Both flue sheets and all of the flues were removed during the overhaul and were not put back in before the program ended. These parts would have to be made all new before the 1218 could return to service, which would require a tremendous cost.

[@stephenmarshall3771]

@@PennsyPro ah that's a shame. I knew that when they abandoned the 1218s overhaul that alot of parts were missing, but I didn't know it was that bad, I would say that maybe the VMT should start raising funds but it would probably be millions so probably not gonna happen then. That's the one articulated close to me that there is a slight chance that it could be restored. As I live on long island NY, the big boy is simply way too far for me unless we take a whole vacation over to the Midwest. So even though I know it's extremely unlikely, I still hold on to hope lol

[@overpoweredsteamproduction513]

8:22 you can hear the displeasure for 2100 in her voice

[@PennsyPro]

DISCLAIMER: This video was my first documentary video, worked on from late May to late July 2018. As such, it does not meet the current Pennsy Productions quality standard. This is not the quality you should come to expect from Pennsy Productions, and my future videos will be much higher quality than what you see here. Also, as of April 30, 2019, Norfolk and Western no. 1218 is no longer the most powerful steam locomotive to operate in preservation. This record has been beaten by Union Pacific Big Boy no. 4014.

[@john7027]

I am learning so much that is painful to see these masterpieces rust out somewhere. They need to be kept alive.

[@maxwellsteam5810]

i heard when the program ended and 1218 was still going through an overhaul NS destroyed crucial parts to make sure she never ran again, but i cant confirm it.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

She was supposedly gutted and the parts. That was a stupid move on NS' part. They could've waited for the overhaul to finish.

[@maxwellsteam5810]

@@JCBro-yg8vd the steam program ended while she was being rebuilt, it would be a waist of time and resource to finish her and not be able to run her.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

@@maxwellsteam5810 True, but completely gutting her was a bad idea. She was in pieces when the program ended.

[@maxwellsteam5810]

@@JCBro-yg8vd it was more cost effective to gut it instead of putting it all back inside

[@chrismiller5198]

I was lucky to see 1218 under steam. It is so powerful that it glides effortlessly down the track.

[@ironhorsemedia2881]

For my #1 I’d put NKP 587 just because it’s so famous and recognized and who doesn’t love I love toy trains which made 587 popular and it also tripleheaded with 1218 611 and 587 She even had her own movie

[@PennsyPro]

I'm aware. I actually made a video about the 587.

[@ironhorsemedia2881]

Pennsy Productions I saw it very good video you deserve more subs

[@atsfevan0242]

I agree she's my second favorite steam locomotive and her movie is really good

[@ironhorsemedia2881]

Evan's Megazord reviews she’s my first and hope she comes back too

[@atsfevan0242]

@@ironhorsemedia2881 I hope it's sometime this year or early next year it's been nearly 2 decades since she last ran and that was in 2002 the year I was born

[@anasiacameronelijahedcpndc4324]

I saw 1218 3 years ago on June 5th, 2016 when I was 11 and I have some pictures on my iPad

[@kylewalker2160]

Outstanding, thank you for creating this series.

[@Marquetteproductions]

2102 is back in steam baby

[@larryhall882]

Fantastic video of a very unique monster.Sad that so much time money and effort were put into bringing this engine back to running and now is in a museum.Hopefully some steam group can try to get her running again.

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

Good news we have a Reading T1 return!

[@Random.Channel_]

I have some things to say which aren’t bad... The N&W class Bs were way more powerful And another one to add to the list is the FWWR 2248 (ex SP) it’s being restored but very very slowly.... Sorry for being late

[@Hired_49.-ri]

a rumor is going around that 2050 will might be restored but i think it wont

[@0v3rr1d3]

Aww man, I never knew the full story of 1218 before. I think there might be hope for her yet. If they brought back 4014, then maybe 1218 can come back as well?

[@PennsyPro]

The problem with restoring the 1218 is the simple fact that there is nowhere to run her, as well as a lack of funding.

[@lucasquintanilla1673]

@@PennsyPro I feel that we have been very lucky that 611 was restored when it was because considering how ridiculously long freight trains are right now it has put off the majority of mainline steam excursions in the United States with the exception of the union pacific steam program. Considering 1218 isn’t going to get restored anytime soon and I think we will have to wait many decades until it happens, I think the same could easily have been the case with 611 if it hadn’t been restored in the mid 2010s seeing as it would not have been successfully accomplished much later than that. Honestly as awesome as its visits to Strasbourg have been I wouldn’t be surprised if it keeps visiting that area mainly because it just simply can’t run on the mainline because of how congested freight railroads are right now

[@RetinazerProductionsOfficial]

2156: ummmm what about me?

[@williammacdonald3173]

You should do a video on top 10 steam stars today

[@briankoch6937]

The 2102 Shippy running next year they had fire her up for her test-fire they blew the whistle AC sound good

[@Yaboifirefox]

Well you guys gotta keep in mind the reading engine it could take years and years for some steam engines to be restored to working order I’m sure 1 of these days will see it operating again

[@justinhicks4897]

Who made the clip from 19:22 that’s really well made I wanna find the full clip

[@gardnerlynn]

Thomas Paine lives somewhere in Washington. My grandma though Thomas Payne was him. But no.

[@SteamZRailfan]

Nice! Wish those locomotives would have stayed in operation.

[@Strasburg_Railfaner611]

You mean 2 T1’s in running condition soon because 2102 is gonna run again to

[@babyyodafan4666]

its kind of cruel how 765 was the main reasons some steam locomotives were retired, and once some of them are put in running order 765 are found next to them in the future.

[@SanMarinos]

2103: "I thought i would also live... but then i found out i was dead"

[@SouthernRails1210]

You should have put former US Army 610

[@chrisdelux125]

even Norfolk southern one day have restore 1218 with new parts that they were missing and return her to operation

[@i_forgor_whar]

*laughs in big boy restoration complete, and successful*

[@leodavis7524]

I rode behind 1218 twice…😊

[@abk2k3aaronkauflin83]

Not to mention 2102 has had a recent successful boiler test!!

[@user-mp2tk3pw6j]

2102 IS NOW RUNNING!!!

[@matthewvogel3071]

2102 is back

[@NW-gi1cp]

10:53 yup thats my story

[@SouthernRails1210]

I can legit tell you exactly where that was filmed.

[@NERRP2017]

Gosh, if could restore a loco from ns, it be 1218 class as that whistle is such as favorite.

[@Sano_Kiyoshiro]

It brings chills to people who never heard that whistle before, as does a reading hooter whistle, but i love both whistles as they have a certain soothijg sound to them

[@NERRP2017]

Trainmaster 1218 yes and you meant sooothing right, and I agree I just think the a class whistle is a awesome sounding whistle, that’s also perfect for ghost train stories I imagine in my head, that I’m walking early in the morning in Virginia on NS, it’s rainy and foggy and i know the line is n&w, when the sound of rumbling and rail screeching, I’m like it’s just a normal everyday container train or mixed train, but then I hear loud powerful chuffing and I’m like what is that that’s not a ns diesel, then I hear a louder version of 1218’s whistle, and a ringing bell, and then out of the fog, a Y6A class #1237 and Y6B #2154, both with water tenders race down the line on a heavy coal drag, with a y6c pusher and then nothing, just silence So every time I hear 1218’s whistle I imagine that story up above.

[@polarjet1833]

Wait... IVE SEEN 2100, IVE GONE DOWN TO WHERE ITS STORED AND ACTUALLY HAVE TOUCHED 2100, I HAVE STOOD IN THE CAB OF 2100

[@NW-gi1cp]

12:43 not gonna lie this was the worst condition Ive been in

[@NW-gi1cp]

@@azaabazha *runs out back door*

[@ITrooper089Productions]

What sources did you use when you got your information on the 2100?

[@PennsyPro]

The information came from a wide variety of sources. This video was made almost three years ago so I can't recall every source used.

[@ITrooper089Productions]

@@PennsyPro Okay

[@kakinokitsune4487]

2100 was moved to Tacoma washington in 2006 and operated in 2006 and 2007 moved to Richland WASHINGTON under steam

[@trainglen22]

Doesn't Reading and Northern have a T-1 in service now?

[@PennsyPro]

Yes, the 2102 returned to service last year.

[@nathansmithbauer1826]

As of 2 days ago 2102 is running

[@matthewjachtorowycz2455]

6:16 no it isn’t. U forgot N&W 2050

[@robertlucido3686]

How would you compare Norfolk and Western #1218 to Union Pacific Big Boy #4014

[@midnightexpress8556]

I would compare 4014 to 2156 more than 1218

[@midnightexpress8556]

Or 2050

[@TheSudrianTerrier653]

in 2022, 2102 finally steamed again.

[@justinmize5339]

I seen 1218

[@closed9446]

YOU NEVER MENTIONED N&W 2174!!!!!!!!?

[@PennsyPro]

I think I might reserve the story of that locomotive for a future video, but I did consider putting locomotive no. 2174 on the list.

[@jeremyasher297]

Pennsy Productions wow the T1s had to go through a LOT of things

[@Acermani456]

Why can't they just rebuild 1218's missing parts from scratch?

[@PennsyPro]

The fabrication of the parts themselves wouldn't be an insurmountable task, but the cost to produce them would likely be the nail in the coffin. There simply are no places suitable for a big machine like her to let loose on today. She'd be all dressed up with no dance to go to.

[@OwlEye2010]

#FireUp1218

[@Trainboy587]

1218 is The King Of Roanoke

[@Chevyguy-1984]

Make 1218 run again!

[@MilwaukeeRoadJames]

There's nothing inside the boiler

[@cool1800lemonlaw]

2102 is running

[@barbaravecchio6654]

It can’t be

[@bigboy-tk8vq]

long live 1218

[@justinmize5339]

2102 moved for the ferst time sins 1991 2 days oguo

[@gardnerlynn]

Who signed the independent day.

[@borkaberic8633]

I dont think i wil se 2716, i dont have the money, and i am not INTRESTED

[@ClinchfieldRailfan921]

1218 is my favorite too