The 2102 “Iron Horse” Revival Story

**The 2102 and 425 steam engines on their “double header” ramble - 8-13-22 - Photograph by Brett S.**

2022 was the Year of the Awe-Inspiring 2102

When you step onto a passenger coach pulled by Reading & Northern’s newly reconstructed 2102, you are transported back in time when these steam engines were a primary form of transportation.

Steam Engine No. 2102, is one of only four remaining in the world and the only one that is operational today. It is a rare historical gem owned by Andy Muller Jr., Owner and CEO of Reading & Northern Railroad in Port Clinton, PA. Muller’s company recently completed a nearly six-year, $2.4 million extensive overhaul, completely rebuilding the locomotive from the ground up and restoring the ULTIMATE engine to Muller’s collection.

The iron horse now stands proudly, showing off the old Reading Railroad black and gold colors of days gone by.

On April 4, 2022, Muller lit a fire in the 2102’s firebox for the first time since beginning the massive project in mid-2016. Two days later, the locomotive rolled out of the steam shop in Port Clinton under its own power before heading south to Reading Outer Station. There, it was met by hundreds of rail fans and crowds waiting to see the historic return of the 2102.

On April 7 and 8, the 2102 completed two additional test runs north to Tamaqua; as well as Nesquehoning and Jim Thorpe, PA.

On May 20, 2102 pulled both empty and loaded coal hoppers in revenue service.

A more extensive test run of the engine happened a few weeks later. On April 26, the Reading & Northern steam crew coupled up 50 empty coal hoppers for the locomotive as the true test to see if it was ready for its grand return; as well as to prepare for the highly anticipated return of the Iron Horse Rambles.

Now fully restored, the 2102 is a shining star of Muller’s fleet, rounded out with the smaller steam engine 425; the diesel F-Units 270 and 275; Rail-Diesel Cars; and a growing stock of historic passenger cars that Muller has purchased from around the country (totaling 47 coaches).

2102 Restoration in 2016

The Grand History of the 2102 Steam Locomotive

The 2102 is a T-1 4-8-4 locomotive that was constructed by the Reading Locomotive shops in Reading, PA in October 1945. The company, using parts from a former 76-foot Class I-10sa Consolidation 1923 Baldwin locomotive, created a fleet of 30 middleweight engines in the T-1 series. The goal of building these locomotives was to be able to haul both freight and passenger traffic along the rails.

The original Baldwin-built I-10 class, which were large 2-8-0 locomotives, would become the T-1 class, converted to much larger 4-8-4 engines by redesigning and lengthening the Boiler and replacing the Frame and Wheels with brand new parts. Baldwin supplied the parts, but the rebuilding was done in the Reading Railroad’s own Shops right in Reading, PA.

Over the next decade, the 2102 pulled both freight and coal hoppers through Schuylkill County along the Reading Lines. Many still remember the sound of the 2102, a musical mixture of chugs and puffs as the wheels pushed against the cold steel of the rails and the steam hissed from the boiler. The combination of mechanical engineering perfection and a time long ago, when coal was king and iron horses raced across the region, echoed through valleys as she glided along her path, being heard miles away before she was seen.

Many of 2102’s sister engines fell to time and deterioration, and by 1958, most had been put into storage where they rusted and crumbled to the elements, were picked clean for parts and later scrapped. But the 2102, along with T-1s 2100, 2101 and 2124 continued their journeys.

Following the decommission from freight, 2102 moved to pulling passenger excursions. It led a number of “Iron Horse Rambles” along with 2100 and 2124 until the very popular outings ceased in October 1964 as a result of high locomotive repair costs and declining economic conditions. The others eventually found homes with 2100 in storage in Ohio, 2101 at The B&O Museum in Maryland and 2124 at Steamtown National Historic Park in Scranton. 2102 was sold to private owners in Ohio in 1967.

Over the next few decades, the 2102 resided at a number of railroads in Ohio and western Pennsylvania. It was finally brought HOME to Reading in 1985 by the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society and Conrail.
In 1986 the 2102 was purchased by Andy Muller Jr. for use on the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad (now the Reading & Northern).

When he acquired the 2102, Muller was just beginning his venture in the railroad industry. He saw the potential in this engine and began making plans for it. 2102 became the crown jewel of the railroad and popularity in steam began to grow. In addition to the BM&R running between Hamburg & Temple, 2102 pulled excursions to such places as Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and on a NJ Transit trip from Hoboken NJ to Port Jervis NY.

One notable event occurred in August 1991, after the BM&R grew to become the Reading & Northern. 2102 led the “Anthracite Express” on a 4½-hour, 75-mile round-trip excursion from Tamaqua to Port Clinton and Reading. The express was the first train to leave Tamaqua in 25 years and was held in honor of the 160th anniversary of the Little Schuylkill Navigation Railroad, the first railroad in the United States to haul coal with a steam locomotive. Nearly 800 passengers from all over the tri-state area, as well as rail enthusiasts from as far away as Florida, graced the seats of the excursion.

Four years later, Muller moved the engine to Steamtown in Scranton, PA for minor restoration work. The 2102 was brought back to Port Clinton in 1998 for display at the railroad’s open house and then stored alongside steam locomotive 425, where it remained until 2016.