Reading 2102: The Return of the Rambles

On Saturday, May 28, 2022, Reading T-1 2102 returned to the service for its first public excursion since October 27, 1991. The locomotive sat quietly for 25 years in the Reading & Northern's Steam Shops in Port Clinton. In January of 2016, the railroad announced the 2102 would be restored and returned to service. After 6 years and 2.4 million dollars, Reading 2102 emerged from the shops under its own power for the first time on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 with test runs taking place the next 3 days.
After two test runs pulling empty hoppers through the mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, the 2102 returned to the Iron Horse Rambles for the first time since 1964. While the locomotive operated under excursions dubbed "The Rambles" in the 1980s and 1990s, this was the first time 2102 pulled a Rambles excursion in the iconic black and gold Reading Rambles livery since the excursions ended in 1964.
The locomotive put on quite the show on this late May day, pulling 19 coaches unassisted from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe and return. This marked only the third time the railroad operated a large steam excursion without a diesel assist. With the sound of the exhaust carrying for miles, and sporting both a Reading 6 Chime and Reading Hooter, 2102 sounded fantastic carrying a sold out train through the mountains. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a short preview of 2102 leading The Return of the Rambles.
This video was filmed on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
Filmed & Edited by Mark Turkovich
This film may not be reproduced or redistributed in any manner.
©MPT Productions 2022

[@chendersonrailproductions704]

Fantastic preview. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

[@MPT_Productions]

Thank you, Christian! I can't wait to see the final video either haha. I am hoping and thinking it will be worth the wait!

[@YardLimit]

Beautifully done, Mark!

[@MPT_Productions]

Thanks, Tom!

[@TrainChamber]

Nice job Mark. Can't wait for the full length video!

[@MPT_Productions]

Thanks, Joe! Hoping it’ll be worth the wait.

[@eliotmaravich5709]

I need a voice over

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

would number 425 be here for a double header.

[@MPT_Productions]

425 will be returning in July for the Mountain Top excursion.

[@maxwellwalcher6420]

@@MPT_Productions oh yes on July.

[@MackeyBigBoy4014]

August 13, 2022 was the doubleheader.

[@davidhedges584]

They should bring 611 up to Pennsylvania so 2102 and 611 can doublehead.

[@MPT_Productions]

611 is still in Pennsylvania at Strasburg.

[@davidhedges584]

Really? Still?!!!

[@MPT_Productions]

@@davidhedges584 yes

[@davidhedges584]

Dang. It’s probably been there a year now.

[@MPT_Productions]

@@davidhedges584 Yes