Steam & Excursion > 2102 Ramble to Jim Thorpe, PA 7/2/2022

Today I rode the Reading and Northern's Ramble behind the 2102 from Reading, PA to Jim Thorpe PA and return. It was a very nice excursion and the best part was I got to enjoy it with my dad, brother, AND my daughter! This was the first time she had willingly ridden an all day ride with me. She even enjoyed herself and would like to go again!

In any case, here is the "Oh-two" pulling the train into the Jim Thorpe station to pick up passengers for the return trip. I recommend a high volume setting to fully enjoy the stack talk.

Enjoy and have a great evening!
Dan

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I'll also throw on here a video from the train rolling into and through Tamaqua, PA. In addition to the sounds of the train you can hear some of the railfan conversations going on within.

Enjoy!
Dan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/22 20:23 by dschlegel.

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Finally a few photos from the day.

1) The Oh-two pulling into Jim Thorpe

2) Reflections of the new coaches in windows at Port Clinton, PA

3) A photo taken of my daughter and I in the vestibule by an old Air Force buddy (Joe Galada) who saw us between Barnesville and Hometown, PA

Dan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/22 20:26 by dschlegel.

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That 2nd video put tears in my eyes.  So wonderful what the Reading & Northern folks have done.  Look at all the happy people!

coach Wrote:
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> That 2nd video put tears in my eyes.  So
> wonderful what the Reading & Northern folks have
> done.  Look at all the happy people!

Absolutely! Amazing what a restored, preserved, and operating steam locomotive and its train can do for the community, its riders, and supporters. Brings back to life an epic time for that region of Pennsylvania and introduces people to a unique heritage. Incredible and so glad people get to have this experience. Gives hope that not all will just be lost and pass away.  

What kind of whistle was featured in the first video ?  It's shrill. 
What kind of whistle was in the second video  ? It has a more pleasing sound. 
Thanks in advance. 

Fine videos, loved them both. That second video does take me back to the late fifties and mainline steam excursions on the Friendly SP.

I too had the pleasure of riding yesterday's R&N 2102 powered trip. It was as close to perfect as a human enterprise can get. 2102 started the day looking like she just came out of the assembly hall and ran as good as she looked. 

 The 18 car sold out train gave her all the train she wanted on the 1.5 % grades in each direction. During the hardeest pulls she was down to 15-17 mph and her signature loud exhaust could be heard for miles.She could have managed another 2/3 cars if the booster were cut in but the 18 wagons was the perfect train.

   Andy Muller's team does a great job on all the details and I HIGHLY recommend that all steam lovers ride a 2102 trip if you can get a ticket. It's as close to the " full monty" as you can get today, a well worth the money. 

   Thanks Andy & team for all you're doing to keep the steam flame burning brightly. 

    Ross Rowland 

Excellent!
And a great example of why I've never liked diesels.  They took this away from me.

I was a passenger on that train as well, in my opinion the best excursion since the 614 Erie Limited runs from Hoboken to Pt Jervis!
 

UP951West Wrote:
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> What kind of whistle was featured in the first
> video ?  It's shrill. 
> What kind of whistle was in the second video  ?
> It has a more pleasing sound. 
> Thanks in advance. 

The shrill whistle is a Reading freight whistle, and as I understand it the more pleasant whistle is a multi-chime Reading passenger whistle. The locomotive is fitted with both and throughout the day we were treated to them!

Dan

Posted from iPhone

Very nice, Dan!

Posted from iPhone

Great videos and pics. Look at all the folks out and about along the line. I checked their schedule out for a trip with my oldest grandson. Couldn’t make it work, we have to “settle” for WMSR 1309. Thanks again for posting. Love the shot of you and your daughter in the vestibule. Railfanning is fun, even more fun with family members.

Randy in PHX.

Posted from iPhone

Nice series, can't wait to see this next year!

Thanks Dan.  I noticed a "fireless cooker" on a siding in the video in the Tamaqua area.  Anybody with info on that engine?
jb

boejoe Wrote:
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> Thanks Dan.  I noticed a "fireless cooker" on a
> siding in the video in the Tamaqua area.  Anybody
> with info on that engine?
> jb

I believe there may be a plaque near the locomotive, but I’m not sure. I also feel like I remember seeing that locomotive when I was a kid (early 80’s) up in Jim Thorpe.

Hopefully someone else can comment. If not I’ll try to snoop around the next time I’m up there.

Dan

Posted from iPhone

boejoe Wrote:
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> Thanks Dan.  I noticed a "fireless cooker" on a
> siding in the video in the Tamaqua area.  Anybody
> with info on that engine?
> jb
No info, but here is a pic from 2020

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Can you imagine the noise if the 2102 and 1522 doubleheaded with a heavy train!

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> Can you imagine the noise if the 2102 and 1522
> doubleheaded with a heavy train!

That’d be pretty neat! When I was a kid, the BM&R held Railfan Weekends (mid-late 80’s) and I recall seeing the 2102 and 425 double headed one time flying through Leesport as I was on top of an ex Sante Fe CF7 taking photos with a 110 camera. That exhaust was pretty damned loud!

Dan

Posted from iPhone

I'mlooking forwardto being on one of Autumn Leaves trains in October.

Sam