http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=93399#post93399RailroadForums posts with some truly cool night photography.The grade they apparently plan to operate regularly on is rated at 3.3%. Now, the Reading had some grades that steep or so, and they did operate steam over them--but a passenger train with a T1? This makes the old Chessie Steam Special challenges on Sand Patch and 17-Mile Grade (which were always undertaken with a reduced consist) look tame by comparison.You know, now I have an idea why there was a proposal to put lightweight bilevels (ex-C&NW) on this service........ they *might* be lighter than the cars we see in these photos.

Now, that is an ODD engine house!Best of luck to those guys!

I was going to ask what the tubular structure was. Though they may be using it for that now, I can't imagine that's what the thing was built for. What is it? Or what was it originally? Looks like nothing so much as an old wodden tank car blown up to a magnification of about 300% and with missile silo doors stuck on each end. Strange looking building. Neat pictures, in any case. Glad to see 2100 under steam, though I kind of hope the ditch lights and stick on light under the factory original are temporary break in run items only.Sincerely,David

I doubt it--it's been hotly debated in a lot of internet space, but it appears that short of someone chartering a photo freight excursion AND paying for the re-modification of the 2100 to their choice of appearance, what you see is what you're gonna get. For the time being, at least.What, you're not happy enough that we have a Reading T1 under steam again? And doing something besides chuffing a few feet back and forth on level ground?

There certainly are folks here on the Interchange who know T-1's better than I, (Ross, out there?), but...There has been a great deal of spoiled foam on the Internet about the trial run that would make one think a T-1 never tackled a hill... ever. Thankfully not here on RYPN.How about Locust Summit folks? How about any of the hills Ross ran them up? Yes, they were built for fast frieght on the roller-coaster Lebanon Valley Branch, East Penn Branch and mainline, but yikes, the lack of a basic level of understanding about such a prominent class of engine is remarkable.Of course, the outcry about this whole event is just another venemous spewing of self-hating railfans whose knee-jerk reaction is to say __Fill in the blank__ can't be done. I have never understood the shear delight these nuts have when something doesn't go as planned, and then they gloat for having "known better."These nay-sayers have been cheering every failed plan for #2100 since her rivival. They are the same charlatans who pissed and moaned about #614, #765, the Flying Yankee... you name it. Yet, have a plan come to fruition, and who is trackside without dropping a dime on tickets? Want names? Oh, you know them. They always know better, but they never contribute a dollar nor lift a hammer. And if something isn't to their liking, they join the 101st Fighting Keyboardists to make sure everyone knows they would have done it better... How do I know them so well? As a teenager, I was trending towards being one. Heck, sometimes I was one. It wasn't until I learned to shut up and start to listen that I realized how much I had to learn. And that began my recovery.

Robert,Well said.... I especially like the "101st Fighting Keyboardists" comment, amusing, yet true.

The tubular structure looks like a tie retort, except not capable of holding any pressure. I presume it is for vapor or heat-treating something having to do with wood. I thought it was remarkable to see a Reading 4-8-4 turn at Clio, Michigan or run through the Birmingham GTW depot. I thought it was strange to see one next to a CN 4-6-4. I thought it was a weird sight to peer into the windows of the Hagerstown roundhouse and see a restored T-1 sitting there totally abandoned, but this is weirder. Where will we next see a Reading 4-8-4?

From what I have heard, the tubular structure was built as an painting location for pipe for the Alaskan Pipeline, it's now just used as an dry place to store and work on equipment, also was an nice place to hide an 4-8-4 on a flatcar.Keep in mind, this is the first time the 2100 has ever come near operating on Tacoma Hill, it takes time for new crews to learn proper operations on an new line with an grade such as Tacoma Hill, at 3.3%. Last night the Tacoma area started to receive a sight rain fall (the area as of this morning has snow/rain), plus low temps, so we had more of an chance of slipping. Not the best time to be operating any train on that line, steam or diesel. But it's called railroading, you got to do it anytime, anywhere and in any weather.The 2100 will make it up Tacoma Hill soon, some things can take a little time. Dan

From my experience running the 2101 and a few miles running the 2100 she should have walked those 6 lightweight coaches up that hill at 11-14mph, This assumes that ALL of the following factors were positive. 1. She was carrying a full head of steam 2. Her sanders were ALL in full working order 3. Her booster was in full working order 4. Her rail washers were in full working order 5. She was being run by an experienced engineer capable of quick slip recovery On a 3.5% grade if any one of these was missing failure was a certainty. Before we rush to judgement lets wait for the facts to emerge. I'm sure the GPRR guys will get the hang of it in time, and in the interim lets all give them all the support we can. Ross Rowland

Take into reminder, 2100 does not have her booster anymore.Dan

Sorry. I'm quite thrilled to see a T-1 under steam. Didn't mean to say otherwise. Please forgive. Not meant to be a serious complaint, just a wise- . . . donkey sort of remark. (I would prefer to see her without them, of course, but I'd be glad to see her with them, or any other way. Heck, I'd even be happy to see her as a U.S. Hogwart's Castle. (She'd be a bit big for the role, but what the heck. Color's about right.) I'm not really THAT picky, so long as there is boiler pressure involved. Okay, pink would be bad.) Good luck gentlemen. She's a sight to see.Sincerely,David

awsome pics, great to see the 2100 hot again. New crew,new place, they'll get it done. Dave

Can someone tell me how long Tacoma Hill is and how many miles it takes to make a complete trip ? I see 2100 is pulling a canteen and with a 19,000 gallon tank I am wondering if the canteen is necessary. If not the auxillary is unnecessary weight for the engine to pull. I suspect I am missing something because I know nothing about the railroad or their water situation.John Bohon

Top Ten Oddest Places To Send a Reading T1 Where We Haven't Seen One Before:10: The Cape Charles-Norfolk car float9: Helper Service on Sherman Hill8: The Cartier Railway7: The AT&SF Grand Canyon Rim station6: Hiding in the Escanaba & Lake Superior roundhouse along with who knows what else5: The Nevada Northern 4: The dual-gauge Mount Union Connecting Railroad, posing with EBT #33: The SD&AE at Campo, California--listen to those trestles creak!2: Japanese Shinkansen, French TGV, German "Plandampf", and Settle & Carlisle trackage as part of the World TourAnd the #1 place:1: Pulling NYS&W 141 out of the Bay of Bengal

I had the pleasure of riding MRSR 5 and 17 (both 2-8-2) doubleheaded up Tacoma Hill on more than one occasion(my son was the fireman) It ain't easy going. You round a curve and start the hill there! According to my timetable it's 11.2 miles to Fredrickson, but I believe the hill itself is less than 2 miles. It flattens out after 48th St. and goes easy after that. MRSR ran some "Santa" specials there a few years back with just #5 and they would run up the hill until they stalled and back down. I'm sure Milwaukee Road ran some big engines up there so I would think once the guys get some experience, it'll work. I too wish them well. You can never have too many steam engines running. Wish I had a clever quote like the rest of you... Rick Zorko