I see it loaded, but I think I'll be far more impressed when I see it successfully interchanged! I'd love to see the look on the face of the car inspector when he comes out to pass judgement at this one. Good time to take a vacation day. I'm assuming this is a very recent collection of loading pictures - isn't it? There's no date stamp. And that the website for the destination is just being 'optimistic' at the imminent arrival? http://www.gprr.com/

Randy, here is what I know:This engine was restored by Richard Kughn of Lionel fame about 20 years ago. He also restored the Henry Ford car "Fairlane". What his plans for the engine were are unclear, but it was reported at the time that Conrail was considering running steam trips as NS was doing. This was ended by the sudden death of a high-level manager at Conrail.After that, nothing much happened with the 2100. It was to be used in a movie shoot in Chicago, but wasn't, and was given to a group in Ohio that never did anything with it either.About 10 years ago it was auctioned off. The winner was Tom Payne, who was one of the original shortline railroad owners in Canada, based in Edmonton. He bought the engine and moved it to the museum in St. Thomas, ON. What his plans were are unclear, but evidently thought he was going to run regular steam-powered passenger service between Toronto and Niagara Falls with the 2100. That's a pretty tall order for someone with no passenger equipment, no organization to sell tickets or staff trains, and a bad relationship with CN. Payne has antagonized CN over the years by trying to force "open access" over the CN line to Prince Rupert, and his reputation is an issue. The museum in St. Thomas has also had its own problems with members suing each other, kicking each other out, and playing local politics with each other.Mr. Payne doesn't make much of an effort to communicate what his plans are, but evidently he currently plans to move the 2100 to Tacoma for regularly-scheduled passenger service. He announced service would start last summer over July 4th weekend, but it didn't. I was in Tacoma that weekend, and I could not see any loading site, passenger equipment, or any other signs that this operation was going to start, so it isn't clear how realistic this operation was either. While there was speculation in the area that this was all a hoax, I have been told by a person active in the St. Thomas musem that he really does plan to move the 2100 out west.While I wish Mr. Payne well, I am puzzled by his actions over the years with the 2100. I didn't think his actions with the Tacoma operation last year reflected well on this industry.Chris Jacks.

I think it's unfair to characterize it as some kind of scam. I have talked with people in the know with Tacoma Rail, and this has been in the plans for quite a long time.I'd say, "Overly ambitious," at least until such time that I'm shown evidence that this was a scam...

Well Chris I guess you should had got out your check book and donated some of your money to Ex. RDG #2100 so it could had made the moved by rail this past summer. after all you have to pay the Rail company big bucks to move any equipment on a class one railroad. they just don`t let you there for free. I whish the crew of 2100 all the best of luck . LeonardPottstown, Pa. a hafe hour from downtown Reading where she was built in 1945.

There she goes-http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=121217Note the Vandy tender.J