Reading & Northern Steam

miket145 · **Posted:** Sat May 10, 2008 11:26 pm

Today, Reading & Northern did a test run of their steam locomotive they've been restoring for the past 10 years. Next month, they will start running steam-powered excursions.

Here's my photos from today's test run:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=234888

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=234963

http://mst145.rrpicturearchives.net/arc ... x?id=32106

M.T.

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2008 3:09 am

Nice photos Mike! How about the advertising on the side of the tender.. I don't know if I like that so much... We're gunna be seein' that puppie here in Tunkhannock pretty soon

Chris · **Posted:** Sun May 11, 2008 8:54 am

yea a few of us are riding the tunkhannock to jim thorpe trip. that baby looks great in the blue paint scheme and that first pic is fantastic!

Miner Greg · **Posted:** Tue May 13, 2008 1:33 am

Yeah, those are some great pictures. The engine does actual look really nice in blue. Was that an original color for the locomotive?

Miner Greg

miket145 · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 12:20 am

Miner Greg wrote:

Yeah, those are some great pictures. The engine does actual look really nice in blue. Was that an original color for the locomotive?

Miner Greg

Before RBMN, it was black & grey. When Andy Muller bought it in the 1980's for his railroad, Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern, it was painted blue. In they early 1990's, it was re-painted black & grey. When they were restoring it (from 1996-2008), they decided to repaint it blue in remberance of the engineer that ran it in the 1980's , who passed away.

Here's a little history lesson on the locomotive. It's a 4-6-2 Pacific Class built in 1928 by Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philly. It was owned in chronological order by the following railroads......Gulf, Mobile & Northern...... Gulf, Mobile & Ohio ..... Louisiana Eastern.......Valley Forge (PA) Scenic...... and currently.... Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern (now Reading & Northern).

Here's new photos I uploaded from last Saturday's test run:
http://mst145.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=1161882
http://mst145.rrpicturearchives.net/sho ... id=1161879

I agree with Miner Greg. It looks good in blue....

M.T.

Chris · **Posted:** Fri May 16, 2008 7:19 am

another great 2! cant wait to ride this in a few weeks!

Miner Greg · **Posted:** Thu May 22, 2008 12:17 am

More great shots! Thanks for posting these up! This is an awesome looking locomotive.

Miner Greg

miket145 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:36 pm

Here's some photos from today's excursion from Port Clinton to Jim thorpe & return.

http://mst145.rrpicturearchives.net/arc ... x?id=32106

M.T.

Chris · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:57 pm

great photos, that things such a sweet looking steamer. cant wait for the ride from tunkhannock!

cinderella12 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 22, 2008 12:06 am

Those are cool...
Thanks Mike.

~S

Miner Greg · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:35 pm

More awesome shots! Thanks again for sharing!

I don't know if it was brought up, but does this steamer runs on Coal?

Miner Greg

UGMiner Banks · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:54 pm

yes.. Mike, correct me if i'm wrong, but wasn't 425 the only anthracite burning mainline loco or a while? Now they're burning bituminous in it... :evil:

miket145 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 2:27 am

UGMiner Banks wrote:

yes.. Mike, correct me if i'm wrong, but wasn't 425 the only anthracite burning mainline loco or a while? Now they're burning bituminous in it... :evil:

Banks, the 425 was designed for & always burned bituminous.

The CNJ #113 under restoration in Minersville, will be the only operational anthracite locomotive when completed. It is also 1 of 2 surviving CNJ steam locomotives, the other is at the B&O Museum in Baltimore

M.T.

Chris · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 7:15 am

mike do you have any word on the progress of 113?

miket145 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:04 pm

Chris wrote:

mike do you have any word on the progress of 113?

Chris

I was talking with a volunteer involved with the CNJ 113 restoration project while waiting for the 425 at Haucks last Saturday. He said they were going to pressure test it very soon & possibly fire it by Labor Day. It's been almost 18 years since they started the project & they are in no hurry.

I have no idea where they will run it. Reading & Northern owns all of the track around Minersville. I highly doubt they will let a non-Reading & Northern owned locomotive operate on their track, especially if it will give their own steam & passenger program competition.

Reading & Northern filed the paperwork 2 years ago to abandon the running track from Minersville to the New St. Nick breaker because of an unsafe bridge. Reading Anthracite has since stepped in & they withdrew the paperwork to abandon it.

M.T.

Reading & Northern Steam

Who is online