On page 18 of my latest, actio-packed issue of “Railpace” there’s a photo of Reading and Northern’s 4-6-0 225, formerly owned by the late George Hart as Canadian Pacific 1098, beautifully restored with a great blue paint job matching R&N’s 425.
The thing is, it doesn’t say whether it’s operational or not, and I can’t find any information anywhere. Anyone know for certain?
Here is a back-lit shot of 225…nice looking unit and would make a cool double-header with 425 on larger trains (though not as inexpensive as a diesel helper)…
Here it is in storage at Port Clinton…
Here is a grainy shot in operation in a past career stage…
Here is an 11:00 minute Youtube video on 1098 in excursion service prior to 425…
Display only as far as I know. The Reading T-1 is being restored and the 4-6-2 #425 is operational. Maybe someday. The CNJ #113 also runs occasionally on the Reading and Northern up near Minersville Pa.
Right, it’s on page 63 of my late arriving December issue of “Trains.” Cosmetic restoration only, but it sure looks good! Maybe better things are coming after the T-1’s up and running?
Thanks all for the responses!
it looks like PA is going to be s cool spot to watch steamers. With the 2102 coming back on line, 425, 113, Steamtown and perhaps the 2100. Things could get fun.
Just waiting for the T1 to show up in blue paint.
[+o(]
Sorry, those blue engines look terrible. Yeah, yeah, my opinion, not my engines or money and all that crap.
Hey, to each his own. I think 425 looks cool in that quasi “Blue Comet” garb, definately an improvement over steam locomotive basic black.
I think they should do the T1 up in a faux “Russia Iron” boiler jacket scheme.
Just kidding! Basic black’s OK for the T1.
Bring built for coal service they wore a pretty shade of black.
T1 being Pennsy - should be either Tuscan Red or Brunswick Green (black to many peoples eyes - especially when dirty)
Wrong T1, we’re talkin’ about Reading and Northern’s Reading T1.
That’s OK, if that replica Pennsy T1 ever gets built it’ll look good in Brunswick (two parts black, one part green) Green, or even Tuscan Red to match a vintage PRR passenger consist.
RDG T1’s only come in black!
Yeah, I know. I thought I’d give Zugmann a shock when I mentioned doing it in “Russia Iron!”
All in fun, mind you.
[(-D]
OK, here’s the poop from Steven M. Harvey, President, American Steam Railroad dot org: “As far as the paint scheme 2100 will be painted in? We have decided that already but that is off in the distance and our concern is getting the locomotive mechanical completed first before applying the paint.”
I don’t think any color would help those ugly things.
I have never had the opportunity to see one in person, however, from the pictures I have seen they seem too large for their purpose and from the videos I have seen they were also too slippery. On top of all that, the tender had the appearance of dwarfing the engine. The ‘shark nose’ was unique styling and that is most of the ‘draw’.
Not an unreasonable assessment of a locomotive that probably should never have been built, paired E7A’s would have been a better purchase. The same could be said for the Q2’s, four-unit sets of F3’s would have been more appropriate in that case.
Besides the R&N 225, we are talkng about the Reading T1 #2102 (4-8-4) that is being restored, not the PRR T1 4-4-4-4. I still get confused between then two when only the class is mentioned, and not the road!
Yeah, they were ugly. But I dislike streamlined steamers of all sorts.