Steam & Excursion > Question about BM&R 425

What is the origin of this Blue Mountain & Reading steamer? I thought she came from a southern road.

Gulf, Mobile, and Northern. Not the GM&O type (although the GM&N merged with the GM&O a few years later.)

Rumor has it she may be ready for excursions this Fall!
Still a rumor, but I've heard it a few times more then
never - lets say there is alot of chatter.

Ultra Sound tests had begone on the firebox when I was there 2 weeks ago. I hope to see her run by fall as well but from what I hear, the fall is a too high a hope for the amount of work that is needed to be done.

Pete Lerro

Is the 2102 still at the Blue Mountain, if so, What kind of shape was she in, Thanks.

The 425 was part of the Paulsen Spence collection, who collected steam engines in the Louisiana area. After his death all but (I think) two of his engines were scrapped. The 425 was later part of the collection at the Winchester and Western in Delaware, but (as far as I know) never operated. It was also briefly privately owned in the Delaware area before being purchased by Andy Muller of BM&R who put it back into service.

Chris.

Any updates?

Len.

2102 Looks good, but is not serviceable.
Ed K. cp Laurel Run

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I was informed yesterday by BM&R management that due to unexpected problems with the ongoing overhaul of the 425 that it would not be ready for the October 13-14 excursions between Port Clinton and Jim Thorpe, PA. The trips will still run, however they will be powered by diesels. They hope to have the 425's overhaul completed by the end of the year.

Sorry to have to relay this sad news. Hopefully we'll see her steamed up and pulling passenger trains in a few months.

ctjacks Wrote:
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> The 425 was part of the Paulsen Spence collection,
> who collected steam engines in the Louisiana area.
> After his death all but (I think) two of his
> engines were scrapped. The 425 was later part of
> the collection at the Winchester and Western in
> Delaware, but (as far as I know) never operated.
> It was also briefly privately owned in the
> Delaware area before being purchased by Andy
> Muller of BM&R who put it back into service.
>
> Chris.

It was bought by private individuals associated witht the WILMINGTON & Western in De, not the Winchester & Western...thats a different railroad in NJ.

It was steamed at the W&W once, but was not in compliance with the ICC at the time so was never used. It was sold to Andy Muller in 1984.

As stated, 425 is one of only 5 locos from Paulsen's collection of over 25 loco's, that survived the scrappers. W&W's 4-4-0 #98, Stone Mountain Railroad's 2 now in-operable 2-6-2 steamers and the former B&HS 2-6-2 #250 (once on the Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern)are the other 4 survivors.

425 as of 2003.
Ed K. cp Laurel Run

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The 425 ran on the Valley Forge Scenic Railroad in the Late 1960's Before going to thw W&W, then after the W&W it was brought back to Phoenixville where it sat untill Mr. Muller bought it. I remember seeing it sitting on the rail siding at the PRR freight station in Phoenixville,Pa. back in 1981.

Here are two Video's I produced on the VFSRR The two films are from 16-mm film.

http://www.dailymotion.com/Conrail6370/video/x1d74g_valley-forge-scenic-railroad-1969_events

http://www.dailymotion.com/Conrail6370/video/x1cpd1_valley-forge-scenic-railroad_events

Len.