All,

See our latest monthly YouTube video update for May. Here our president, Steven Harvey, answers a number of questions submitted by our viewers. Lots of activity at the roundhouse in Cleveland, OH and out at Bleil Machine Company in Mentor, OH where the staybolts are currently being produced. Thanks again for all the continued support!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMZxJQuGT10

Sincerely,


Rob Gardner
ASR VP and 2100 Project Manager

As to whistles, 2100 was built with a single-note freight whistle, probably inherited from one of the I-10sa 2-8-0's which were rebuilt into the T-1's. I say probably because as the I-10's were stripped for the rebuilding, I believe the whistles went to another part of the shop to be refurbished and reinstalled.

When the Rambles started, 2124 had its freight whistle at first but soon got a more melodious G-3 4-6-2 6-note passenger chime.

When 2100 joined 2124 in Ramble service in 1960, it kept its freight whistle for contrast.

When 2124 was retired after the 1961 season, 2100 received a G-3 whistle and 2102 went into Ramble service with its freight whistle for the 1962-1964 seasons.

On at least one Ramble, RDG installed Baldwin 4-10-2 60000's whistle on 2100.

The Reading single-note freight whistle was tuned to a fairly high pitch, unlike N&W's deep "hooter" whistles. Of course, a G-3 chime is tuned to a much higher pitch than a N&W J's steamboat whistle.

Note: A-4b 0-4-0 1187 (CF&I 4, Strasburg 4) had a very high-pitched single-note "peanut" whistle.

Phil Mulligan