Steam & Excursion > RBM&N 2102 on Coal Train 30 years ago OTD

On 4/6/91 the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern decided to run their T-1 2102 on a loaded coal train from Tamaqua down to North Reading,PA.  The day started in West Cressona which was the RBMN's base of operations in it's early days before the Shops and Headquarter buildings were built at Port Clinton.  Top shot of 2102 at West Cressona along with RBMN U33B 3304 and Reading Tech (RCT&HS) GP30 5513. Middle shot of the 2102 with caboose 92844 which is an ex-RDG Class NMj built at the RDG Shops in 1936.  They sure looked good together.  The coal train that the 2102 would pull was up in Tamaqua so they ran light down the Pottsville Branch to Port Clinton and reversed back up the Main to Tamaqua.  Bottom shot of the Hack Hop southbound on the Pottsville Branch crossing the Schuylkill River on the stone arch bridge at Landingville,PA.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/21 10:35 by perklocal.

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I believe they picked up 40 loads in Tamaqua and the next 3 shots are below Tamaqua at Webster,PA. (MP 93)  Top shot passing the Atlas Powder Co. complex. They made a quick photo stop here above the Little Schuylkill River bridge that didn't disappoint us at all.

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One more shot as they started out after the photo stop. Middle shot at Hecla,PA. (MP 89.5)  Bottom shot taken from the Rte. 61 bridge at Port Clinton. They picked up 5 more loads at the south end of Port Clinton which gave us some time to get ahead.

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Top shot on the Perry Straight Line which is between Berne and Shoemakersville @MP 71.5.  Middle shot pulling into Tuckerton at MP 63. Going away shot from the same location as the headend is down near North Reading. It was great to see the 02' hauling some anthracite !

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Great series! Is it too much to hope for a replay when 2101 rolls out of the shop?

LJG
 

Really NICE series!

Larry

Superb set!
Bob

refarkas Wrote:
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> Superb set!
> Bob
I agree with Bob and that is one great locomotive along with its' sisters, and hopefully it will be out running once again later this year.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Looks really good in basic black.

Tom

Yes, as God intended !



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/21 15:56 by perklocal.

Wow, a black engine that looks like it is earning its keep.  No whitewalls or mirror finish.  That caboose hop shot is as good as it gets as done the one after the photo run.  Outstanding!  Thank you for posting.

An absolutely awesome series of a unique run.
A super thank you for posting your photos.
ALLEN

Nice pics!!

Its good to see no rants about the T-1s....

That was a fun day indeed! In the last shot, the guys on the caboose are from left to right, Eric Harvey, Barry Lesher, John Geib (in the doorway behind Barry) and Eric Hessler. Hopefully we'll be doing this again soon.

Chris Bost
Leesport, PA