Reading & Northern 2102: Tracing the Route of the Black Diamond | Iron Horse Rambles [4K]

Reading & Northern 2102 holds the distinction as perhaps the most impressive steam locomotive in the Eastern United States, renowned for her sheer size and distinct thunderous roar. This summer marks the second year of Iron Horse Rambles up the Lehigh Division, following the route of the old Lehigh Valley and Central of New Jersey Railroads. The thunderous T-1 made easy work of her train up to the Northernmost reaches of the railroad, hauling yet another generation of riders up the old mountain grades. Join along, as we follow the train over Penobscot Mountain and down into the Wyoming Valley. The Reading 2102 was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1923, originally designated as an I-10sa class 2-8-0, 2044. By 1945, the Reading Railroad searched for ways to fulfill its growing demand for more powerful locomotives. The answer was to rebuild, thus 2044 was rebuilt into a T-1 class 4-8-4 in their very own shops. The T-1s performed beautifully, hauling coal trains across miles of track and up steep mount grades. This tenure eventually came to an end in 1956, when the Reading ended steam operation. The future was bleak, as 2102 became a steam generator for a steel plant. However, on April 29th, 1962, the locomotive exited an extensive restoration, pulling the Iron Horse Rambles along sister T-1 locomotives. By 1965, the Rambles ended, and 2102 was sold off. Again, she would not sit idle for long, as she ran all across the Northeast. In 1985, 2102 was sold to Andy Muller, owner of the up and coming Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad. 2102 ran for another six years, making her final run on October 27, 1991. While she was moved around here and there, the locomotive sat dormant until January 2016, when it was announced the locomotive would undergo restoration in the Reading, Blue Mountain, and Northern's steam shops. After six years, millions of dollars, and countless hours of maintenance, the locomotive is once again riding the rails of the steel road. RBM&N Passenger Department: https://www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/ 0:00 North Reading, PA 1:24 Herbein Bridge 1:44 Miller's Field 2:26 Taggartsville 2:51 Grier City 4:03 Lake Hauto 4:55 Glen Onoko 5:29 Milepost 123 6:56 Keen Apple Curve 7:27 Milepost 150 7:57 Glen Summit 8:43 Penobscot 9:53 Pittston, PA 10:31 Ransom 11:01 Osterhout 12:01 Pittston, PA 13:41 Duryea 14:25 Laurel Run 15:24 Solomon's Gap 16:11 Crestwood 16:36 White Haven Tunnel 17:01 Bridgeport 17:23 Mount Pisgah 18:05 Nesquehoning Junction 18:41 Division 19:43 Lake Hauto 20:58 Tamaqua 21:28 New Ringgold 21:53 Peacock's Lock Viaduct Filmed on May 24th, June 21st, and August 23rd, 2025. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ©Train Chamber Productions 2025 All Rights Reserved This video is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, copied, or redistributed without the expressed permission of Train Chamber Productions. The creation of these videos demands significant time, effort, and resources. Any unauthorized use will be subject to removal in accordance with international copyright law. We appreciate your understanding regarding advertisements, as they help support the production of content and fund future trips. Thank you for your continued support.