Update on Reading & Northern's steam locomotive
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- It has been a little over a year since Reading & Northern’s steam locomotive #425 made her last runs Santa trains on December 17th and 18th of 2022. After those runs, work began on her 1,472 day inspection and overhaul.
On January 17, 2024 I visited the steam shop in Port Clinton, PA to check on the work being done to #425. This footage is from that day unless I note otherwise in the dialog or on-screen captions.
#425 is a Baldwin 4-6-2 "Light Pacific" originally built in 1928 for the Gulf, Mobile, and Northern Railroad. She has been delighting passengers for Reading & Northern (formerly Blue Mountain & Reading) since 1985.
The 1,472 day overhaul is performed by steam crews after a boiler has been fired up for 1,472 days or 15 years passes, whichever comes first. The work involved replacing the boiler tubes, doing ultrasonic testing on the boiler and firebox, and other inspection and repair work needed to keep the locomotive operating safely.
0:00 425's last runs
2:16 425's tenders and parts outside the steam shop
3:32 425 inside the steam shop
7:43 425's cab inside the steam shop
9:13 end screen
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Glad to see 425’s overhaul is going well. Can’t wait to see her trackside again, whether it be solo or on a doubleheader with 2102!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the update. I'll be thrilled to see her run again, and another doubleheader with 2102 is high on my wishlist.
I remember watching the very nostalgic videos about this train back in 2008, I hope we'll get to see her back in action some day.
Cool, and I hope she will be back on the rails soon too.
We are all so lucky to have you "on the inside" to create these terrific video reports. Thanks for keeping us "in the loop" about what's going on with 425, 2102, and the other great developments on the railroad!
Thanks so much! I really enjoy being able to film and share all this stuff with everyone. Got more fun stuff in the works ...
Thank for the update on 425 Jamie.
"When it's done, it's done" is the best answer. The maintenance forces have a lot to take care of.
Having 2102 and 425 are just a wonderful bonus for us. 😊😊😊
Just what Andy said about 2102 when she was under repairs. And look how she turned out!
The crew does a great job! I know 2102 keeps them busy and takes time away from 425, but we are super lucky to have both locomotives and the crew that looks after them.
Finally, been wanting an update for over half a year.
Glad to finally be able to share! Hope to do another in a few months.
Nice video Jamie! Always happy to see a video on our favorite light-pacific!!
Thanks, Collin! Gotta get her back on the tracks so I can get my much-anticipated cab ride lol!
@@JamieMakin Yes Indeed!! I wanna catch you racing down the tracks!
Yes Finally, I’ve Waited So Long To See The Inspection of #425. Thank You So Much. (Please Be Back Soon #425)
Glad I was able to share the update, and I can't wait to see her in action again too.
Thank you Jamie. 😊
You're welcome, Kevin!
Good morning Jamie! 🚂425🚂 Hope you're having a good morning friend. Thank you for the update. Really well done😊
Good evening Dennis! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Good morning Jamie. Back for a rewatch friend. I swear this one keeps popping up in my recommended feed.🇺🇸
Good afternoon Dennis! Thanks for the rewatch!
Great video.
Nice to see an old locomotive being restored instead of ending up in the bone yard🤝🏻
Thanks! One of the reasons I love Reading & Northern so much is for how they preserve and run a lot of great, old equipment.
Appreciate the update on the Four and a Quarter. Seems like the work with it is going extremely well!
Thanks, and glad I could share the update info. It does seem like it's going well, and I can't wait to see her back in service.
@@JamieMakin I think we're all excited to welcome back 425!
Once the final IHR is done for the year, that’ll give them a month or so gap to work on her before the Fall Foliage season begins. As for after those, that’ll leave them many, many more months to work on 425, meaning it’ll be likely she’ll be back later this year, or early next year.
Thank you.
You're welcome!
That’s good to get updates on 425. Never caught it. Hope I can when it’s gets back in service.
Thanks, and I certainly hope you get to catch 425 when she's back on the rails, amazing engine to watch and hear!
Quite similar to a full-sized steam locomotive kit.......i watched some of the work being done on the Monticello Illinois Museum's #401 during the Covid issue, (everybody was masked up), the process was identical to both locomotives, and even though the MRM doesnt have the same number of people working on it that 425 does, they got the FRA required inspection done in less than 2 years, and the 401 has been happily steaming for visitors for nearly 2 years. Not bad for a 2-8-0 built in 1907! In the last few months, MRM was donated a nicely refurbished E-unit, courtesy of CN, it started out as CB&Q 9940A in 1950, then was BN 9940, Metra 9903, went to Illinois Central (no number was specified), then to CN, where, as its number 102, was used on OCS trains until 2016, then it and several other E-units were put in storage until late last year, when all the E-units were donated to various museums. The exterioir is in great condition, and the paint is similar to CN's 1950s passenger scheme, but the museum is waiting for the weather to co-operate to give #102 a thorough mechanical evaluation, to determine if it can be used on the museums trains or just a display item. Dont know about your area, but here in central Illinois, the weather has been downright nasty, with sub-zero temps, ice, and now fog (its been thicker than crunchy peanut butter!), but very little snow, and a warm-up is predicted for the next week or so. Ive been doing some track replacement on my H-O test track, namely some curves that just wouldnt accommodate longer and/or newer engines, and also replaced some turnouts for the same reason. Since its only a test track, i dont know if i will put any scenery on it. I hope the weather warms up like theyre saying, ive got cabin fever to get outside and work on some of my outdoor toys...........
Good to hear from you, Paul! And good to know a museum with less manpower was able to get similar work done in less than two years. It finally warmed up here the past few days, getting up to 50 degrees. It was grey and damp though, sun never came out much like they forecast, and we've got a day plus of rain starting in a few hours. Next week looks sunny but back to colder, but at least above freezing. Glad you've been working on your HO stuff. I really want to get back to my N scale stuff, but have some other things taking priority right now. Hope you can get outdoors soon. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
@@JamieMakin within the last few days, ive seen pictures of a stainless steel fluted sides observation heading towards RBMN, on an 86' flatcar, with its trucks on a shorter one, and also the twin Reading EMD FP-7s going somewhere behind an NS unit. The blurb didnt say where those FP-7s were heading, and as far as i know, theyre still privately owned............
RBMN recently took delivery of three new railcars. The one on the flatcar needs a lot of repair work, but the other two are in great shape. The FP-7s are going to Woodstown Central Railroad in south New Jersey. I plan to go film them once they're in service.
The first update I saw on 425 was on Facebook and They just removed her flu system but that was the last update I ever saw . And this video is pretty cool. I can’t wait to see this engine one day in person operational
Glad you enjoyed the update. I had not seen any updates on her yet which surprised me. Hope you get to see her running someday, she's amazing!
Good afternoon Jamie.🎉
Good afternoon Dennis, and be sure to say "hi" to the dolphins for me!
Nice update on the 425, Jaime! Your show reminds me of the thorough overhauls at the various WW2 restoration museums where they do the same thing as the steam engine shop crews here. Taking apart virtually every nut and bolt and xraying each part to determine whether to use it or replace it. Takes alot of skilled hands. These guys are meticulous. It's really awesome!!🚂🚃🚃🚃
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the update. I very much appreciate the passion and skill that goes into keeping all types of old machinery operating. It's a great way to really appreciate history when you can see something in action and not just on static display.
425s boiler seems to be in great shape. So do her wheels and frame. Just a matter of replacing worn out fire tubes and stay bolts. I think the Reading and Northern will have her back before we know it. It’s just sad no one knows when she’ll be back. I hope the fall of 2025. I mean so many stay bolts have been successfully replaced. And replacing the fire tubes will be a cinch. But steam engine repairs are very complicated. We just have to stay optimistic. She’ll be back soon.
I'm definitely looking forward to her return. I'm sure she will be looking like new after this overhaul!
Great update.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you Jamie for the update. Can't wait to see her on the tracks again.
Thanks Michael, I can't wait to see her run again too!
Awesome video! Can’t wait to see 425 back in service 😊
Thanks! And I can't wait for that day to come too!
Very cool Jamie
Thanks Marilyn!
Thanks for the update, hopefully she’ll be out this year
Thanks, and I hope so too!
Awesome Video and Well done Jamie. Thanks for sharing and hopefully you dont get flooded with the Question about when it will run again🤣 lol
Thanks, Ian! I haven't been flooded with the "when will it run again" questions, but I did get a question whether it's being scrapped ... clearly from someone who didn't watch the video! 😅
Thanks for the nice update video Jamie. Enormous project!
You're welcome! I enjoy seeing the amount of work that goes into stuff like this, as it gives me a real appreciation for the crew.
Glad to see 425 in shape Jamie! It’s surprising that she will be in there slowly rotting until 2025 or in 15 years.
She's definitely not rotting! And I'm hopeful we might see her out again either this year or next.
@@JamieMakin Glad too hear about her Jamie! There is a chance she may start running in late 2024 or I’m 15 years
I'm sure #425 appreciated your visit. Thank you for the update. Looking forward to seeing her back on the tracks, but she obviously needs this overhaul.
Thanks so much, Rosie!
I rode behind 425 once for the LGSR on the 4th of July! It was fun!
Cool! I've enjoyed my rides behind her too, can't wait for her to return.
@@JamieMakin Me too, I don’t know if whenever 425 will ever return!
She will return, I'm sure of it!
excellent views of the boiler work thanks
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice documentation of 452's overhaul that was! Neat that the locomotive is in steady progress, and I wish the folks at the steam shops the utmost best of luck with her 1,472.
I'll be honest about something on a different topic. Near the beginning of the video, where 425 was put down for the night in her final moments under steam, you can probably see a person off the left of the screen taking a pic as the door was closing; that was me lol. I remember I was rushing to get a shot of the locomotive dead center (both to film and photograph) after she went back into the stall as I wanted to get a good shot, and I remember being a bit too excited. Right as I placed my camera down for that, I remember feeling a little embarrassed and disappointed in myself as I felt I wasn't being fair to other railfans who wanted to get their own good shots. After everyone left, I wasn't too happy with myself as I probably got a little foamery and I wish I didn't. I wish I had taken my time to walk over and get whatever shot I could, but I didn't. Admittedly, I am satisfied with what I have, but I was probably a little rude to some railfans. I'll admit I'm sure I prob wasn't the only one getting really excited as it was a special occasion, and I don't blame them which I shouldn't. All railfans get really excited every once in a while.
I apologize for that lecture in my comment, I just want to address what I did as I'm not proud of it. To anyone (railfan or not that see this comment) who was there seeing 425 in here final moments under steam while trying to film and photograph the locomotive, I want to sincerely apologize for ruining anyone's shot if I did. Whether cutting anyone off walking to the stall door, or anything else I've offended or annoyed anyone, I want to apologize for that. On a brighter it doesn't bother me as the whole weekend was fun; I just wanted to address that apology to anyone who was there at the time. That is all.
Thanks, and glad you enjoyed the update. That was a pretty exciting weekend and pretty emotionally charged when she was being put away at the end of it. Glad you were able to get all of that off your chest. I think as railfans we've all had some moments we're not proud of, but it takes a lot to admit that. You didn't cause any issues with my shots, and hopefully everyone else's turned out well too. Looking forward to when we can all get out there to see her in action again!
You're welcome! And thanks, I appreciate it. I may not be proud of it, yes, but I am satisfied with the shots I got (not contradicting that I still did it). But I'm also taking it as a lesson to try night to get ahead of myself when it comes to railfanning. I'm looking forward to when 425 will be on the high iron once more!
Nice work on the video and the locomotive.
Thanks so much!
Hey Jamie. Good afternoon friend. I know you're having a great day. Just grabbing a wee rewatch.
Hey Dennis! I'm enjoying my weekend, and I hope you're enjoying yours too. Thanks for the rewatch!
Awesome video jamie
Thanks Westley!
Good morning Jamie. Back for a rewatch friend.🎉
Good evening, and thanks for the rewatch!
I sure wouldn’t mind seeing her in her original BM&R livery but that’s not gonna happen. But I’d appreciate her original Baldwin front end in her newest livery. That would be really nice. This has taken a lot longer than Ryan originally anticipated so they must be doing more or not really putting that many hours into it. Yes, I’m aware these same guys keep after 2102 as well, so that slows stuff up too.
I am curious what they will decide for the new paint job, we'll see. I had hoped to talk to Ryan while I was there, but that didn't happen. I know 2102 keeps them busy, so I've got to imagine that's taking time away from 425.
Am very glad that the inspection rebuild or #425 is doing very well, maybe it will look like her 1980s style which is a prettt look of 425 or maybe keep her style
Thanks, and I know we're all looking forward to seeing what she's going to end up looking like.
Awesome video. This is my favorite steam locomotive. My 2nd was strasburg 31 rode that one a few times years ago (2005 2008 2009)
I used to do the traffic control for the fall foliage festival in Jim Thorpe.
Glad you enjoyed it! 425 is my favorite steamer too, even though there's lots of other great ones around. That's cool that you used to do the traffic control in JT, though I'm sure that had lots of frustrating moments with how crazy the town gets in the fall.
Magnificent catches showing the locomotive, I like it 5 stars.
Thumbs up.
Keep up the perfect work, my friend, i subbed your channel, Greetings from Portugal to the USA.
Thanks so much! Great to have a viewer in Portugal. Thanks for the sub, and glad you're enjoying the videos.
@@JamieMakin it was my pleasure.
What kind of trains do you think she’ll pull when she’s back? I thought 2102 was taking over the Autumn Leaf trains, which were her biggest mainline excursions of the year, so I wasn’t sure what exactly she’s planned for.
I'm not sure the railroad has even made that decision, but if I had to give my best guess I'd say 2102 will continue doing the mainline trips while 425 might see more action pulling the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and Santa trains and special events in other towns. Hopefully we'll get another doubleheader on the mainline someday too.
Thanks for the update! Hopefully she'll be back on the rails by next year. I *think* that Reading 2100/AFT 250 is supposed to be finished next year too.... and now I have this vision of 425, 2102, and AFT 250 triple-heading out of Port Charlotte. Wouldn't that be something?
You're welcome! And a triple header would be beyond my wildest dreams. But ... you never know!
Dated my birthday (1/17)!
Very cool, and Happy Birthday!
Is 425 gonna be painted back in blue or are they gonna match her with 2102 and make her black again?
The railroad hasn't made a decision on that yet. It's probably a 50-50 split with people who want blue versus black based on who I've talked to. I know I want blue, but that won't really factor in lol. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Hoping maybe 425 will return to her 1990s livery
Honestly, I'd like to see her headlight put back on top of the smoke box. That was a good look.
What would be even cooler, is if they paint 425 and move her headlight to make her look like one of the Reading's G class pacifics. *That* would be awesome.
@@TrainsAreReallyCool id hope they put her back in the 2008-2014 paint.
@@griggerpSame man
I'm not sure what the plan is for her new paint job, heck, I'm not sure if the railroad has even decided that yet. I love her current color blue, but think it would be cool to keep that blue but add back the line work that was on her from 2008 to 2014, but make that line work white. Doubt that's a consideration though.
Jamie...'Gotta tell you your videos are getting MUCH better!!! I don't know any REAL Steam guy out there that doesn't appreciate an "in-shops" look at rebuilding, etc. which you've done. One quick question though is the "mud-ring" plug. I get the concept of washing down the firebox and the water has to go somewhere to drain right? Outside of that, I'm clueless. Your thoughts ???
It gives you access to the very bottom of the water space in the boiler where most of the crap tends to accumulate. The blow down valves are higher up, so not all of the scale and particulates get sucked out. Also it’s impossible to get the boiler to dry out completely unless you have plugs at all of the lowest points.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed this video and the others I've been doing. Railfanning has become quite the adventure for me, and I'm always trying to learn more about the trains themselves as well as techniques for filming and editing. Jason's got a good answer below about the mud-ring plugs, hope that helps! I hope to head back to the shop again in a few months to see how things are going.
Hopefully #425 Will Stay Blue When They Repaint Her.
I hope so too! Her current blue is such a lovely color!
@@JamieMakini agreed!
🎉Rewatch🎉
Thanks buddy!
How long will the overhaul take?
8:43
Really depends on a lot of factors. How much money can they spend on it at one time? How much time can be put into it above everything else that needs done? How soon do they need to have another steam locomotive? Are there any issues surfacing that could cause bigger problems? There's a lot to do, and only as much time to do it as a busy railroad allows
It'll be done when it's done! They've got a lot to take care of with 2102 these days, and she's got to take priority since she's the one running excursions. And @nathanschmidt4889 said it well with the other factors and unknowns. Hopefully all continues to go well though.
@@JamieMakin fair enough, is it something that would take over a year? Over five years, possibly over 10 years? I’m kind of sad. I missed the Doublehead excursion during the rambles trip a couple years ago.
If I had to guess the whole process will take 1 1/2 to 3 years. It all depends on how much time they allocate to doing the work and how many problems they do or don't find along the way.
is 425 gonna be steamed and i have an Idea.
425 is gonna be Steamed once again is 424 converted to Oil.
Nope. A proud anthracite Burner
@@EngineerDaylightThat one day will be ruled out lmso
425 burns bituminous coal, and as far as I know there's no plans to convert her to oil.
So how's the progress as of May 2024 is she almost complete the rebuild also I can't wait for SMS number 9 to get painted and do excursions she's not far from Pennsylvania she's only going to be operating excursions on the Salem branch
I had hoped to have time to check in on 425 after my chase of 2102 last week, but I had another matter to attend to shortly after that. I'm hoping to get back soon to see what's up with her, but I'm still hopeful they could get her back in service later this year. SMS number 9 is also on my list of engines I'd like to see.
Is there a potential date for a test fire yet?
Not yet. Basically "it'll be done when it's done" because 2102's upkeep is their priority right now.
That’s insane to see
It sure is!
I Have a New Steam Excursion Program New York Central's 30th Steam Spectacular.
Cool!
@@JamieMakin the stars are NYC 5406 R&N 425 Reading 2124 NKP 765 Soo Line 1003 Soo line 2719 CP 2317 and CP 1246 there the stars of the railroad.
Rewatch!
Thanks!
There pretty far into it , I’d say they’d want it done by Early 2025 😉 (2100) 😉
yeah most likely 2025 but the Hydroostatic testing and test firing need to happen first and that could take awhile
@@CRRPRR2102 , based off what Jamie showed in the video there already pretty far along
If I had to guess late 2024 or early 2025 is a real possibility. They are progressing well and hopefully will continue to do so.
@@JamieMakin Possible test fire date?
Way too soon to schedule that, but hoping I can be there to film when it happens.
Is 425 is gonna be scrapped
Absolutely not! She is getting a rebuild. American Steam is not scrapped these days.
In the US every 15 years of operation the steam locomotive has to go down for an inspection by the Federal Railroad Administration as a result of legislation passed following the events that occurred on the Gettysburg Railroad involving Canadian Pacific 1278. That is why 425 is down right now.
She's definitely not getting scrapped! As I talked about in the video she's undergoing an inspection and overall as @highball5550 described too.