Reading 2102 Restoration?

This is from R&N's webpage:
"Steam locomotive 2102 is currently not in service, and there are no current plans for this historic and popular engine."


http://www.readingnorthern.com...nger-excursions.html

Hopefully the rumor is true and we'll see her steam again soon.

Not sure who owns the 2102 but Andy Mueller used to own that engine. It was being stored at Steamtown in Scranton PA.

Can't tell you anymore as I don't know.

You are correct, I too would love to see 2102 running again!

Lee Fritz

Last I heard, it was down in Port Clinton with 425. I would not be surprised if they decided to restore 2102, as much interest has been expressed with it, and they have had success with 425. However, while they are saying 425 will operate this year, they also said that last year. Although I truly enjoy this operation (living 10 miles from Jim Thorpe, it is extremely convenient), I take a "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude.

The engine is still locked in the building not far from the Port Clinton diesel shops. It is there with a Canadian 4-6-0. Andy Muller owns them all still.

The website has said for years the same "no plans...." thing.

I do know the 425's lead and trailing truck are in Strasburg for work including conversion to roller bearings. 

I just thought I'd see if others had heard this. 

I saw the trailing truck wheels and axle during a Noon Shop Tour this past summer. Our guide said that the Strasburg had sent a sample of the metal to be analyzed. Knowing the composition of the metal would facilitate repairs.

During a earlier tour,  I saw Rio Grande Southern 4-6-0 No. 20 surrounded by drivers, wheels and axles from UP Challenger 3985. THAT was quite a contrast!

That would be great to see, and a very fine locomotive to have under steam again.  Lets hope this happens.

Are you sure a real employee posted that? I know an employee that brought the idea up, but that's as far as it got. With the trains the R&N operates and the grades they run on, 2102 would make more sense. But think about it - they can hardly keep that Pacific on the road.

I am good friends with several employees on the R&N, and a few have hinted the 2102 will be EVALUATED for possible restoration. After that, a plan will be figured out.

The version I heard was that after 425 is back on the road, the ~2 crewmen who have been working on her would be assigned to begin disassembling 2102 for inspection/evaluation.  Andy Muller has the money to do it, if he wants to badly enough, although I hear lately he's been infatuated with airplanes.

I heard that too   ; )

Sounds the most likely and logical step. 

R&N's #425 had parts at Strasburg for work which have

since been returned.  There was hope that 425 would be

ready for excursions last Fall so I would expect a return

to service would be imminent.

I too had heard there was interest in restoration of 2102

somewhat recently.  I wouldn't doubt it's future hasn't been 

a topic of discussion at the railroad.  Rumor's went along

the lines of "If business on the freight side keeps moving

in the right direction" to "a certain young relative would

like to see 2102 run" to "we need more power for our steam

powered excursions".

While these rumors are nothing but just that for now, 

they are none the less fun (and yet dangerous at the same

time).  The important things is that we maintain our calm

and offer nothing but our support.  Keeping the discussion

positive and constructive is one way to move things

forward.  Better yet - go out, bring your friends and

relatives and make #425's excursions a sell out in 2013.

/Mitch

I am not sure but I am guessing it has been well 40 years since any major work has been done on 2102. I am not a steam expert at all and I hope they don't find any major issues, but she tons of miles on her.

Ticket prices for 425 were pushing 100 bucks already but at least you can ride a steam train in old cars were the windows open

That price depends on what you did. I spent something like $17 to go for an hour trip out of Jim Thorpe on 425. $100+ is the all day trips.

From what I've gleaned, 2102 needs major firebox work esp. in the mud ring area, major running gear work including turning or maybe re-tiring the drivers, and the tender is faily beat as well. Add all the ultrasounds, new flues, and unknowns, and it's a big job.  By no means impossible, but big.

Well she last operated in 1991 so it's been 21 years+.  Would definetly take a lot of work and $$$$$.

It will need all the CFR 230 work that any steam locomotive that has not turned a wheel for 20+ years would need. That means ultrasound every square foot, new flues and tubes, new Form 4 calculated, etc. New tires is not that big a deal.

Before Andy is done, he'll have at least $500K in it.

Andy has said he wants to evaluate the 02. Right now we are busy with the 425, so dont look for any news on the big gun for awhile. I'm sure the word will be out when (IF) that time comes. Strasburg installed new tires on the trailing truck axle and converted it to roller bearings. They are now having new wheels cast and axles made for the lead truck. The lead truck frame and components are 95% new. The trailing truck axle is back at Port Clinton.

Are the lead truck wheels going to match when you're done?!  

SteamPWR, I wish you guys good luck on the 2102 overhaul. I didn't know that some work was already being done on it.

Tell Andy I said hello, and tell him I am still flying Jerry's King Air. He'll know what you're talking about. 

Rich, I will tell him next time I see him. I briefly talked to you at TrainFestival in Rock Island, after one of the trips. We haven't done anything to the T-1 yet. We were approached and there has been talks but that's all so far. Wowak, both axles will have solid wheels.

Strange question. What do you mean by "match"? Match each other?

For at least as long as I've known her, 425 has had one spoked pilot axle, and one solid cast.

On a related note, I'm wishing the K-line semi-scale Pacifics would come down in price, one of those would make a great starting point for a kit-bashed 425.

The lead axle was spoked and second was solid. This was changed sometime in its GM&N career.

How about some video of the 2102 under steam in 87'.....good times.

That is quite an engine, I can see why people are so fond of the T1s!

Here is a Lionel T-1 (6-18006) painted and detailed as #2124 by Reading Steam Guru

Jersey Central 0-6-0 #113 restored at Minersville, PA, would look good with a T-1, too. Go to YouTube and look for her.

After watching the video posted above, I can "hear" some of the work that needs to be done. Lots of loose brasses and rods clanking!

The 765 used to sound worse than that, before we overhauled her. 765 has no rods clanking now.

A lot has changed (thankfully) since 1987

Rich,

Thanks for the comment on the clanking. You beat me to the question.

Next question, I notice that the stack has a constant stream of smoke, as well as that which is produced with each chuff. Is that normal, or has the fireman done something with his controls?

Thanks,

Chris

LVHR

In most cases the Fireman MAY have the blower on as he is adding coal to the fire, with the stoker. Also remember, there is VERY strong convection with a fire THAT hot.

Ok I need to stir the pot here.   The Reading T-1 Northern is by far my favorite engine. Followed close by the PRR K-4, the n&W J, and the NYC Mohawk.  But.........

As much as I want to see them run again, to what end is  the investment worth it?  I know it's priceless to see them run, but as Rich said, it's a huge ($500k+) investment.   That's a lot of money to have a piece of machinery that runs on weekends.  Ok that being said......   I cannot wait to ridebehind 2102.

Just my opinion,,,,,but I believe you will have a VERY long wait!

Short answer:  It doesn't have to be a good investment.

Us buying Lionel trains is almost certainly not a good investment.  But we can afford to, and it makes us happy.  Andy Muller just has a bigger budget than we do, and he likes to play with 1:1 scale trains instead of 1:48.  He'll restore 2102 if it's worth it to him in the pleasure he gets from it.  It will never earn back the expenditure for the railroad.

Well, eventually 425 will run out of time on her boiler.  Andy can then either shop 425, or already have 2102 ready to go, so he doesn't lose any steam revenue.  He would also see an initial boost in ridership with a dormant engine back on the rails, esp a T1.  And, as noted, he gets to see her on the rails again as well.

Thanks for the responses to my silly question.  Its nice when the responses are in line with the question and not looked at as being too silly to ask.  Hotwater, I realize it will be a while, I am just hoping to still be able to board the train :-)  Wowak, I agree, but with funds so short and so many projects to be preserved, I always like to think about the choices and weigh the value of one over the other.  Man that video is so amazing just to see something that size move and to contemplate what it would pull.  Thanks again for indulging my devils advocate question. 

A recommendation for 3rdrailMike and anyone else who wants to see spectacular 2102 action: Get yourselves a copy of Mark 1 Video's "The Schuylkill Shifter" which is a video record of the 2102 when it was used in coal shifter service in 1991. Hearkening back to Reading days when the T-1 class actually served in this role, the operation was very authentic with tender first running and the locomotive was equipped with a Reading "hooter" for the occasion. I have this program on VHS and, short of donating to the locomotive's restoration, it's the best money a T-1 fan can spend. It's now available on DVD and is offered in combination with another program titled "Return of the Rambles."

http://216.158.107.193/mark1vi...TER--pls-/Detail.bok

I recommend it highly. I'm sure others who own the program will speak highly of it as well.

Bob