Reading T-1 Northerns

History

The Reading T-1 Northerns were 4-8-4 Steam Locomotives built in 1923 as 2-8-0 "Consolidation" steam locomotive. It hauled freight and passenger trains in the United States. After World War II concluded, 30 out of 50 2-8-0s would later be rebuilt as T-1 "Northerns" #2100-2129. The Reading T-1s were retired from revenue service between 1954 - 1957 and the Rambles excursion was retired in 1964. Out of a total of 30 T-1s built, numbers 2100-2102 and 2124 were preserved. Today, 2100 and 2102 are undergoing restoration, 2101 is on display and 2124 is being prepared to fire up.

From 1975 - 1976, #2101 was renumbered 1 and hauled the American Freedom Train along with Southern Pacific GS-4 #4449 and Texas & Pacific I-1a #610. The 2101 had different variants overtime. In 1977, a year after the AFT concluded, the 2101 went to the shops and was repainted into the Chessie System livery to haul the Chessie Steam Special, a train to celebrate the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's 150 Mile Birthday Party. It was a success that it would have to do it again in 1978. However, in February 1979, when the engine was preparing to haul it again, the roundhouse the 2101 was in caught fire, which led to the 2101 being burnt and never to run under steam again.

In 1973, #2101 was renumbered 302 and was painted into the Delaware & Hudson livery to celebrate the ladder's 150th anniversary. The 2101 was in the D&H paint scheme until 1974.

In 1976, 2100 was in the "Ferroequus" paint scheme.

In 1978, 2102 was in the "Berks County Constitution", only to double-head with 2100.

In 1991, the year the Cold War ended, The 4 preserved Reading T-1s were under steam for the last time before being put on display.

In 2021, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, 2102 was fired up with a brand new whistle, a brand new boiler and some brand new body parts to operate on the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad (the same railroad that has Blue Mountain & Reading Heavyweight Pacific #425). However, 2124 will also be fired up.