I did a search on here (and googled it) for any news or updates on this locomotive and when we'll possibly see her under steam again, but I came up empty. from what I knowm she last ran in 2010, and i saw a post on here made last year that the job it needed to run again, would knock it out of service 6+ months. So just being curious as I haven't seen any updates. Thanks in advance!

Edit: I also checked facebook and on the "friends of 425" page, seems to be the popular question, as a few people said they even called R&N headquarters about nobodhy would give any info. So maybe, No news is good news??

If you look at the R&N website, they state that she will return to steam some time this year. Nothing posted about Jim Thorpe or Tunkhannock trips but you need to look in the "news" sections of their website. Its in their newsletters and not under excursions.

She should return for the fall season. Currently sitting on jacks as a 0-6-0. Work continues daily.

Plus what about Reading Railroad 4-8-4 #2102? Whats the status on her. I heard she is in good condition to be restored operational again but the site says that she has to wait?

Steam is expensive to operate, and size plays a part in the equation. So in essence, while expensive to run a steam locomotive, 425 would (in theory) be cheaper to operate than 2102.

Right now we have our hands full with the 425. I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for the 02 to run. The best thing to do is buy tickets when the 425 runs and show your support.

SteamPWR could probably elaborate (if he's allowed to) but I've heard the 02 needs some pretty serious firebox work... like pretty much a new one. (On par with the overhaul 4501 is getting at TVRM.) Work like that is expensive. I hope some day Andy will see fit to invest in 2102, but I don't hold any delusion that it will be any time soon.

02 does need major everything work, not quite as bad as 4501. With the amount of running they do (as of the last 5 years) I would replace the word "invest" with "indulge".

Cheers, Jason

Jason hit the nail on the head-as of right now, they don't do enough running enough of the time to justify a restoration of 2102. They don't run enough long enough to require that much power.

"Jason hit the nail on the head-as of right now, they don't do enough running enough of the time to justify a restoration of 2102. They don't run enough long enough to require that much power."

It doesn't matter how often or how long you run, every restoration/rehabilitation is an indulgence. Running the engine more or longer just shortens the time until your next indulgence.

Absent Strasburg and few other places, running steam never has positive net present value, and I'll bet ever there, the difference is concessions and add-ons.

My only wonder is when 425 is eventually due for a new Form 4, will the money go back to #425 (and the R&N go steamless for another long spell) or as that time is approaching will work start on the 02. I like the #425, but 2102 would have me making a lot more trips home to PA.

We all understand that steam is very expensive to operate and maintain, however, i have been on 4 excursions behind 425, each ticket cost me $69 each. I'd be more then willing to bet that they make more profit on ticket sales for one excursion then they pay for the cost of running it on one excursion.

But anyway, it's not about that, i'm just saying that we're all grateful we have gotten to see 425 in the past few years (and hopefully we will again in the near future) but I'm almost positive 2102 would produce MUCH more ticket sales, not to mention, be able to pull more passengers. (Even though it would cost alot to restore and more to run it compared to 425.)

Math time...

Lets assume an "average" restoration is 1.5m

If you sell tickets @ $69.00, which has been whatthe R&N has been selling them at...

You need to sell 21,740 tickets just to recoup the cost. That is 37 trips with 10 coaches (assuming you have 10) more or less sold out with 60 people in each coach.

Oh but then you must pay for coal, crew costs, lubrication, brakes, insurance, etc, etc...

Buying even a dozen tickets doesn't begin to amortize the initial costs.

Accountants have the last word. Why don't people get this?

Because, my dear Superheater, foamers tend to open their mouths before engaging their brains. Or put another way, foamers tend to think with their guts rather than their heads. In either case, positions taken on a particular subject are not though through. Or when thought through, then denial kicks in.

Everybody wants to see their favorite locomotive in steam. Somebody else, of course, ought to put up the $1.5 million to do it!

Sigh!

Mike

OK - works for me!

/Mitch