On May 25th, 2024, I took my first mainline ride behind Reading and Northern #2102 on the first Iron Horse Ramble of 2024! This excursion departed Reading Outer Station and traversed north to Jim Thorpe, where we had about a three-hour layover before re-boarding the train to return to Reading. This route has been the traditional route for Reading and Northern's steam excursions, and the route of every Iron Horse Ramble up to this point. However, this was the only Iron Horse Ramble of 2024 to travel this route, as 2102 will now begin to travel to other points along Reading and Northern's system (More details below).
This ride was really awesome, as both my family who joined me and myself had an excellent time! Hearing #2102 working hard on a 15-car excursion, especially climbing the grade out of Tamaqua and up Hometown Hill, was really incredible! Furthermore, Jim Thorpe is truly a historic and scenic town with a LOT to do. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do a ton during my visit, however, I was able to visit the Asa Packer Museum, which was very interesting and very well-preserved. Regardless, I definitely recommend visiting Reading and Northern's website at www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/ to look into excursion tickets if you would like to ride behind 2102 yourself!
As I had mentioned, 2102 will now be traveling to other points on the Reading and Northern. Specifically, on June 22nd, 2024, 2102 will be departing from Reading and Northern's new Nesquehoning Campus for Tunkhannok, PA to join the celebration of the town's 43rd Annual Founder's Day Festival! While this trip is sold out, there are still tickets available for a similar ramble departing from Nesquehoning on August 17th, 2024, which will travel to Pittston, PA for the annual Tomato Festival. An identical trip will depart the following day, August 18th, with the Reading and Northern F-units, and there will also be diesel-powered excursions from Nesquehoning to Tunkhannok departing on July 27th and September 7th. Be sure to visit Reading and Northern's website for more details and to purchase tickets!
Additionally, you may notice a certain foamer throughout my ride, and that would be my good friend @JamieMakin who chased this ramble and joined me for a cab tour of 2102 in Jim Thorpe! Be sure to visit her channel to see her chase of this excursion!
Lastly, I know this is a longer video, but I wanted to do my best to document the full experience of riding behind 2102. The actual ride in total is anywhere from four to five hours! I specifically focused on key locations along the route, as well as points when the engine was really working hard on the return trip. Regardless, I hope you enjoy a day with 2102!
0:00 Intro
1:56 Onboard and ready to depart
2:08 Departing for Jim Thorpe, PA
5:52 Crossing Peacock's Lock Viaduct
7:10 Leesport, PA
8:19 Fisher Dam Rd.
9:49 West Hamburg and Industrial Dr.
12:02 Port Clinton, PA
13:22 Departing Port Clinton
16:39 Hecla, PA
18:55 Webster's Curves (Atlas)
20:15 Tamaqua, PA
22:26 Approaching East Mahanoy Jct.
24:12 Climbing to Haucks
25:59 Hometown Highbridge
28:03 Nesquehoning, PA (Nesquehoning Campus Construction)
29:31 Arriving in Jim Thorpe
34:07 Getting off the train
34:45 2102 shoving its train out of the station
36:02 A brief tour of Jim Thorpe
37:55 2102 positioning to fill tender with water
38:57 Cab tour! (And the voice of the railroad @JamieMakin!)
41:21 2102 returns to the station for boarding
43:01 Departing Jim Thorpe
47:22 Jim Thorpe Jct. to Nesquehoning
57:08 Hometown Hill
1:02:45 Hometown Hill Pt. 2 (Climb to Marian Ave)
1:06:04 Webster's Curves (Atlas)
1:06:48 Entering Port Clinton, PA
1:09:45 Departing Port Clinton
1:12:23 Passing under the former PRR bridge and through Hamburg
1:15:08 Leesport, PA
1:16:26 Arriving back to Reading Outer Station
1:18:54 Outro
Music in this video:
Song: Tropic Fuse
Artist: French Fuse
Licensed to KZitem by: KZitem Audio Library
Song: Headlands
Artist: National Sweetheart
Licensed to KZitem by: KZitem Audio Library
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