Reading & Northern brings No. 2102 nearer to operation with steam test

PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern’s former Reading Co. 4-8-4 No. 2102 came several steps closer to its long-awaited return to service after steam testing at the railroad’s steam shops in Port Clinton on Tuesday. All went well. “The engine is like new,” said R&N owner and CEO Andrew M. Muller, Jr. Following the testing, he blew the T-1’s Reading “Hooter” whistle at 11:00 a.m., signaling lunch time for the steam crew, volunteers, and invited guests.

The big Northern, built by the Reading at its home-city shops in 1945, is one of four of the T-1 class remaining. Muller hopes that the engine will be running this spring, after being stored 29 years ago.
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