R&N 2102 Makes First Test Run

Reading & Northern conducted its first test run of 4-8-4 No. 2102 on Wednesday and plans to make additional test runs today and Friday.

The 2102 shoved a short train for 16 miles from Port Clinton to North Reading.

R&N owner Andrew M. Muller Jr. was in the cab as the former Reading Company T-1 steamer prepared to take the mainline for the first time in 31 years.

Muller had earlier in the week pulled the throttle as the 2102 moved on its own for the first time since going into storage in 1991.

He had purchased the locomotive in 1986 and it pulled excursion trains through 1991.

The 2102 will pull a series of public excursions in Pennsylvania this year with the first of those set for May 28 between Reading and Jim Thorpe.

Tags: Reading & Northern, Reading 2102, Reading steam locomotives, Reading T-1 No. 2102, steam locomotives