Chasing Reading and Northern Coal Train with Nice Horn!

On May 20, 2011, we chase a coal train stacked with EMD power that much represents Reading and Northern's current active roster: RBMN (ex-UP) SD40-2 3058, RBMN (ex-UP) SD40-2 3057, RBMN SD38 2004, RBMN SD38 2000, LGSR SD50 426, RBMN SD40-2 3052, with the leader boasting a huge nose and a massive Leslie RS-5T horn! Also, the QANR (Tamaqua-North Reading) coal train was combined with the JTPN (Jim Thorpe-Port Clinton) freight, thus causing the massive array of power and large freight/coal train. We catch the train several times north of the Port Clinton, which is the main yard for R&N. Upon arrival, railfans, young and old, gathered to watch the arrival, as the JTPN portion of the train was removed along with all of the power except for the two Union Pacific SD40-2's. Finally, on the move south toward North Reading, where Reading and Northern meets up with NS at BELT, the skies opened up once again and started to pour! The weather certainly was random, from nice and sunny, to torrential downpours; notice the fog lifting over the mountains at Molino. Upon arrival to Tuckerton, NS train 685 (Baltimore-Reading RBMN empties), with a recently qualified crew to operate on R&N, is already waiting to cut the power away from the empty hoppers. This QANR will soon become an NS 684 loaded coal train for export at Baltimore via the NS Harrisburg Line and NS Port Road.