What Is It Like To Chase Reading & Northern 2102 on the Mainline? - Railfan Documentary

[@PennsyPro]

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[@CentralPennRailProductions]

This was really well done: high quality run-bys, interviews and all! I wasn't able to make it out for any of the trips this year so it's nice to see some behind the scenes too. I do want to point something out though: no where on the CNJ or LV mountain cut-off has 2% grades. The grade from Solomon Gap to Duryea averages about 1.16%, with a few extra tenths of percentage at spots for dips and curve compensation. The steepest point is just above White Haven from where the LV changes back to the CNJ to Neely's Cut at 1.2% +.2% for curve compensation at spots, which puts it on par with the much steeper grades on either side of Haucks on both the Reading and CNJ side at 1.4-1.5% which is where 2102 tackles the toughest grades since being restored by R&N. Anyone who has ever watched 2102 crest Hauck's knows it's an ear-deafening experience, perhaps in the Top 5 railfan experiences for me personally. Now if it will ever go over Locust Summit again, that's 2%+ territory...

[@PennsyPro]

Thank you for the kind words and insight! Please excuse the factual errors. As disclaimed, the views and opinions expressed in this picture are strictly personal in nature and do not necessarily represent those of Pennsy Productions or any affiliated parties.

[@ToledoRails]

Nick, this video is perfectly average for you, which is just perfection. There's so many of us caught up in chasing, that the story of how a chase goes is lost to time. You've created a perfect time capsule of the 2024 Iron Horse Rambles that tells a true story of the railfan's quest to document an excursion. To see a lot of my friends featured in this video is an added bonus, you really gave me some FOMO!

[@aceoftrainsproductions745]

You were dearly missed ❤

[@TrainChamber]

Happy to be a part of this! Very well done!

[@forrestnace2589]

Exceptionally well done Nick, a bit of 2102 history, interviews and stories to the point, along with unique and impactful action shots interwoven or stand alone with the full sounds at the scene.

[@TheShortlinefoamer]

Awesome In depth video of chasing the T hog! To see so many railfans out and about when shes in action is amazing to see, glad you got it on camera!

[@SteelandSteamProductions]

Great video! Really well put together!

[@JamieMakin]

Great video! We see a lot of videos chasing the 2102, but very few giving a behind the scenes look at the chase itself. I chased on 8/17 as well as many other 2102 mainline runs, and I really enjoyed seeing your perspective of it.

[@thundercreekcustoms]

Always glad to see some friendly and familiar faces.

[@KeystoneRailProductions]

Glad to be a part of this unique view of the chase!

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

As a railfan from New Jersey like Arthur who I'm great friends with. My chase of Reading and Northern 2102 came last year 2023 in August. Seeing this for the first time as well as my very first trip up on the Reading and Northern. From North Reading OS as I was up and closest to it while at the Station through the Blue Mountains to wye at Jim Thrope Jct. with the LGSR with the F units and the PIJT train. Then late afternoon came chase the 2102 from Nesquehoning town to the farmland field at Miller's Crossing with the NRFF to catch before heading home NJ. A hot day at that time for the chase and it was worth my Sunday off from work. This year I only manage to get the 2102 during the break in test run on Wednesday since all runs for the 2024 year were only on Saturday schedule as I didn't plan out to go due to work reason. Nice work on the fliming you did.

[@TheBigBananaRailfan]

Excellent work my friend! Everything about this is simply sublime. As I’ve stated before, we’ve seen plenty of films that focus on restoration work, the on-board experience, and even behind the scenes of a photo charter, but this is something new, and from a viewer’s perspective, it tells a part of the story that many have never seen before. I’m very proud to have been a part of it! Well done sir!

[@kleetus92]

Beautiful video. Neat to see some vintage Bessemer footage in the mix too!

[@regularguy7266]

Although I haven't chased any steam, I'm sure that chasing steam on the mainline is hard as proven by the video above. I give my hats off to you guys for being able to pull these amazing videos off despite the chaos that can ensue when steam is allowed to run fast. It also gives me respect for railfans who chased mainline steam before the 2000's as back then they didn't have resources such as Google Maps, or other online map tools that we have today, and a lot more mainline excursions were going at track speeds above 40 miles per hour. They also didn't have websites or social media pages where you can get more updates on when and where steam excursions were happening in the country, so I can't even imagine how much time that era of railfans had to put into even for just one excursion. While we do have it easier today, mainline steam excursions will always be challenging to chase, photograph, and to take video of. However, they are ALWAYS worth it!

[@CSX_1973]

Really great cinematography here!

[@tbman1943]

Very Nice video. Well put together and thought through :) Nice seeing Andrew again ;)

[@LRF152]

10 seconds in and this is easily the best work I’ve seen from you. Great job!

[@RandomRailfan828]

Nice man, looked like a fun chase!

[@SouthernKansasRailfan]

Fantastic work as always! Definitely contextualizes the chaos of chasing the R&N steam trips. Great to see several friends of mine, notably a certain someone who was great help with my chase last year. Keep up the great work!

[@aceoftrainsproductions745]

Your best work yet! I'm honored to have been part of it!

[@sirtrailproductions8198]

I’m so glad I was able to be apart and chase this magnificent locomotive!! Thank you for letting me be apart of the video!

[@BeeLineEast]

Would love to see the 2102 run again to Harrisburg and back. But I don't think that will ever happen. Nice video.

[@daniel_the_railfan]

great video man

[@ЛЬВИНИ]

Good video, like!!!

[@paulkattner1998]

very nice video I was a passenger on this trip especially nice I live in nesquehoning and walked only 3 minutes to the station from our house.

[@MrTragedious986]

When I look at 2102, I always can’t stop thinking how unique this locomotive is, she’s like a small locomotive that turned into a big northern locomotive.

[@ArcadeandAttica18productions]

You should film ARCADE & ATTICA 18! She doesn't run during winter. But 18 had her first run in 7 years because a overhaul

[@andrewdesabatino]

I like the part where I talk about the steam powered choo choo.

[@1chuck96]

As much as I love 2102...It'll be nice to see 3001 and the refurbishment of 614,. We ALL wish that the AOSR would relinquish GTW 6325 though.

[@TrainLover-wt9ix]

What types of cameras do they be using for video. I only use my camera for photos is because the videos kind of look not all that good (I mainly do subway trains)

[@Zaelon_James_Guillory]

Good morning 2102💛🖤💛🖤😊

[@BTCRAILFILMS]

Happy to be a part of this video. Great work!