Now this is really a question of esoteric nature... prompted by the release of the HO scale PCM model of the Reading T-1 (which feaures two whistle sounds - a Reading frieght hooter and a an alternate) I've come to wonder what whistles have been on the 2100, '01 and '02 in the preservation years?

Does anyone remember what the '01 wore on the AFT and the Chessie specials?

I used to have notes on the whistles used on the '02 in her R&N years, but they escape me.

Anyway, I'm probably going to do a write-up on the models, and any whistle help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Rob Davis

The only thing I can say for sure regards 2101 in her Chessie Steam Special days. As I understand it, the Chessie System lease of the 2101 brought them a loco sans whistle, and Chessie VP-Casualty Prevention William F. Howes went to Airchime's horn expert, Bob Swanson, whose work had recently at that time produced the Nathan K5LA five-chime air horn, and ordered a stainless steel steam whistle designed to precisely duplicate the K5LA air horn, for use on 2101. Said whistle was also used on 614 during its stint on the Chessie Safety Express; the whistle was still in the personel possession of Howes the last time I spoke to him about a year or two ago (well, he paid for it, after all). Swanson also cranked out another stainless-K5LA steam whistle which was reportedly used for years on British Columbia Railway 2860 in its Vancouver excursion service.

As for 2102, I've heard a couple different whistles on her over the decades, mostly authentic (?) Reading passenger six-chime and freight "hooter" whistles. I believe that the Blue Mountain & Reading/Reading & Northern officials, including their own resident steam expert (now sadly deceased), had between them a healthy collection of authentic Reading and other anthracite whistles at their disposal, and it would be hard to imagine those in charge using anything non-Reading.

In addition to the Reading Company 6 chime (modified for the difference in boiler pressure beteween the G class 180psi and the T's 240psi).
I know there's been a Lehigh Valley whistle and a B&O 5 chime on the 2102 on a couple BM&R trips, and there was the Iron Horse Rambles where the whistle off the Baldwin #60,000 from the Frankiln Institute was used.

If I recall, the 01 had a Reading G whistle during her Freedom Train stint. When 2100 was in Hagerstown, she had a UP "steamboat" freight whistle and a SP freight whistle. Over the years, I think the 02 has had nearly every type known to man.

I recently heard 2100 when I took this photo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/ ... ossing.jpg
It’s definitely a steamboat whistle, and a great sounding one, too!

Reading 2102`s whistles on the BM&R and R&N has been B&M grower, RDG freight hooter, G-5 passenger, DLW, CNJ. The G-5 was also on C&O #614 on the Eire Limited in 1996 - 98.

Len.

Re:
Reading 2102`s whistles on the BM&R and R&N ..... G-3 passenger.... The G-3 was also on C&O #614 on the Eire Limited in 1996 - 98.
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