“We can just about smell the coal smoke,” Harvey told Trains on Thursday. The project needs about $29,000 to see the firebox and boiler phase completed, he said. In total, about $255,000 is still needed in the Fire Up 2100 campaign to return the 1960s eastern Pennsylvania fantrip favorite to service. The engine has been undergoing restoration since it arrived in Ohio in 2015.
Harvey said a crew of 8-12 volunteers is working on the tender, preparing to reinstall the stoker that was removed during an unsuccessful conversion to oil-firing. Fortunately, the stoker and its engine were not scrapped and are on hand. In addition to tender work, repairs are necessary to the running gear, Harvey reported. At least one roller bearing in the pilot truck must be replaced, and rod brasses must also be modified or replaced. There is air brake and plumbing work remaining, and all the front-end screening removed must be replaced before a fire is lit.
The project moves at the speed of donated funds, Harvey said. “If fund-raising continues at the present rate, we’re probably looking at a 2020 fire-up,” he said. Harvey says what is happening now is the assembly phase of the project. When everything is ready, American Steam plans a few test runs before making the engine available for excursion service.
Matthew Walker. The 2102 on the Reading and Blue Mountain is being returned to service. I’d bet we see that Reading 4-8-4 locomotive run first.
Scot Perry: What, did someone get in your way on the photo line or were you run off when trying to pace or take a picture where you weren’t supposed too?
765 draws thousands to the park each fall under its own power. We are many years off from seeing the 2100 even attempt to pull a train. Plus, how is it to get anywhere if CSX doesn’t allow antique equipment on their rails? 765 has a proven track record and the staff to support it.
My hope is to see a Reading engine under power as my father did….time and $$$ will tell.
Scot Perry: 765 is NOT “dragged” to Cleveland. She runs on her own all the way from New Haven, IN to the flats in down town Cleveland. In years past, it did have to be moved over a whole mile or two of track when connecting from NS to the CVSRR. I’d hardly call that “being dragged to them.” Note that last year she moved over the CSX portion of the connection on her own!
Now that I’ve cleared that up, how many years are left on 2100’s 1472?
Roger Cole,This the perfect locomotive for the people down a CVSR to have during their annual fall outing instead of insisting that the one in northeast Indiana being dragged to them.They now have another steam locomotive they can now get from their state instead of thinking that they are entitled to the 765 annually.
Do they have a willing railroad where it can be run when rebuilt?
Cyrus Eaton Foundation goals.