 |
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern 425 (Photo Album)
Author: Kevin Madore
Date: 02-24-2016 - 06:15
Folks,
On Monday and Tuesday, February 15th & 16th, 2016, Lerro Productions ran an extensive photo excursion on the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern (reporting mark RBMN), more commonly referred to as the Reading & Northern. This is a regional railroad, operating in Eastern Pennsylvania. Primarily a freight-hauler, this line also operates a heritage excursion business in the scenic Lehigh Gorge. The railroad has 3 steam locomotives, including the former Gulf, Mobile & Northern 425, a light 4-6-2 Pacific, the former Reading T1 #2102, a big 4-8-4 Northern, and an ex CP 10-wheeler #1098 (formerly of George Hart's Railtours operation). Only the 425 is operational at present, although the railroad has very recently begun to evaluate the Reading 2102 with an eye toward possible a possible operating restoration in the next few years.
This month's Lerro Charter featured the 425, which is affectionately known as the "Four-and-a-Quarter" or "The Blue Pacific." As noted above, she's a 4-6-2 Light Pacific coal-burner, with roughly 35,000 lbs tractive effort. The consist on this trip was a baggage express car and three steel commuter coaches, all lettered for Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern. The trip ran on trackage ranging from the railroad's headquarters in Port Clinton, all the way north into the Lehigh Gorge. Weather was a challenge to say the least. Monday featured frigid temperatures and a developing snowstorm. On Monday night, a warm front turned that snow to a steady, wind-driven rain on Tuesday. By the end of the day, the photographers all looked like drowned rats, but they had images and memories that will last a lifetime.
To say that the RBMN 425 is an impressive engine is an understatement. I've seen a lot of steam locomotives, but this is without a doubt the loudest engine I have ever observed. With 69" drivers, this little gal is the steam equivalent of a top fuel dragster. She accelerates like a scared cat and the roar of her exhaust can easily be mistaken for an approaching jet fighter at low altitude. When the rain got heavy on Tuesday, there were times when I just put the camera down and watched in awe.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, I did manage to make some images of the mighty "Four-and-a-Quarter." Take a look if the spirit moves you!
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern 425
/Kevin Madore
On Monday and Tuesday, February 15th & 16th, 2016, Lerro Productions ran an extensive photo excursion on the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern (reporting mark RBMN), more commonly referred to as the Reading & Northern. This is a regional railroad, operating in Eastern Pennsylvania. Primarily a freight-hauler, this line also operates a heritage excursion business in the scenic Lehigh Gorge. The railroad has 3 steam locomotives, including the former Gulf, Mobile & Northern 425, a light 4-6-2 Pacific, the former Reading T1 #2102, a big 4-8-4 Northern, and an ex CP 10-wheeler #1098 (formerly of George Hart's Railtours operation). Only the 425 is operational at present, although the railroad has very recently begun to evaluate the Reading 2102 with an eye toward possible a possible operating restoration in the next few years.
This month's Lerro Charter featured the 425, which is affectionately known as the "Four-and-a-Quarter" or "The Blue Pacific." As noted above, she's a 4-6-2 Light Pacific coal-burner, with roughly 35,000 lbs tractive effort. The consist on this trip was a baggage express car and three steel commuter coaches, all lettered for Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern. The trip ran on trackage ranging from the railroad's headquarters in Port Clinton, all the way north into the Lehigh Gorge. Weather was a challenge to say the least. Monday featured frigid temperatures and a developing snowstorm. On Monday night, a warm front turned that snow to a steady, wind-driven rain on Tuesday. By the end of the day, the photographers all looked like drowned rats, but they had images and memories that will last a lifetime.
To say that the RBMN 425 is an impressive engine is an understatement. I've seen a lot of steam locomotives, but this is without a doubt the loudest engine I have ever observed. With 69" drivers, this little gal is the steam equivalent of a top fuel dragster. She accelerates like a scared cat and the roar of her exhaust can easily be mistaken for an approaching jet fighter at low altitude. When the rain got heavy on Tuesday, there were times when I just put the camera down and watched in awe.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, I did manage to make some images of the mighty "Four-and-a-Quarter." Take a look if the spirit moves you!
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern 425
/Kevin Madore
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Reading Blue Mountain & Northern 425 (Photo Album) |
Kevin Madore | 02-24-2016 - 06:15 |