PORT CLINTON, Pa. — The Reading & Northern has announced plans to run a steam doubleheader — with 4-8-4 No. 2102 and 4-6-2 No. 425 — on its sold-out Iron Horse Rambles excursion Aug. 13.
In a Facebook post, the railroad says this will be its first steam doubleheader since 1988. The doubleheader was made possible by No. 2102’s return to service this year after a six-year, $1.7 million restoration [see “Reading & Northern runs test trip …,” Trains News Wire, April 6, 2022].
The trip is the third of four scheduled steam excursions between Reading and Jim Thorpe, Pa., this spring and summer, with the fourth set for Sept. 3. All three are sold out. The railroad will also offer fall foliage trips — some with steam and some with diesel power — later this year. More information is available at the railroad’s passenger website.
Should be awesome!