Reading 2124 looking pretty.

I5Hudson · **Joined:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:49 pm **Posts:** 22

I know some folks will like this shot I took of Reading 2124 recently all dolled up. I think Gary, Mark, Jason, et all, did a terrific job.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=407945&nseq=2

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 11:10 am

Looking great! All black like God intended and no circus train bling. Beautiful.

CoryClaxon · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:49 pm

I wish they would restore her. I wonder what her mechanical condition is.

wesp · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 1:49 pm

From the NPS Special Report on the Steamtown Collection:

Quote:

Condition: This engine has accrued high mileage since its last overaul, which means that it is due for a major, expensive overhaul before it can run again. Otherwise, it is in reasonably good condition.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/steamtown/shs2s.htm

Wesley

CoryClaxon · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 2:37 pm

wesp wrote:

From the NPS Special Report on the Steamtown Collection:

Quote:

Condition: This engine has accrued high mileage since its last overaul, which means that it is due for a major, expensive overhaul before it can run again. Otherwise, it is in reasonably good condition.

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/steamtown/shs2s.htm

Wesley

I wonder if there are plans to restore, at some point. I'm rather surprised the condition is good since it's been in the weather (for the most part) since it was retired, if I'm not mistaken.

CanPac2317 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 3:44 pm

For the foreseeable future, I do not believe there are any operational restoration plans. For one, it's too big for the roundhouse (it won't fit in a stall with its tender attached, and forget about the turntable). Also, I believe special coal would have to be ordered for her (her firefox is designed differently than the 54 and 17, isn't it?). Somebody correct me if I am mistaken, please.

Mark Z. Yerkes · **Joined:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 8:47 pm **Posts:** 486

CanPac2317 wrote:

For the foreseeable future, I do not believe there are any operational restoration plans. For one, it's too big for the roundhouse (it won't fit in a stall with its tender attached, and forget about the turntable). Also, I believe special coal would have to be ordered for her (her firefox is designed differently than the 54 and 17, isn't it?). Somebody correct me if I am mistaken, please.

She has a Wootten firebox, which is designed to burn anthracite waste coal (culm).

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:25 pm

Oh, culm all ye faithful!

She's a special locomotive, that's for certain, but there are three others available and one especially needs a blessing thrown its way.

davew833 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:29 pm

I'm all for operational restorations when they're feasible and make sense from an operating standpoint, but there's nothing wrong with nice, correctly-done cosmetic restorations like this!

wesp · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:44 pm

The RDG 2124 discussion already went on for four pages in a 2011 thread.

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31310&hilit=2124

And 15 posts in a 2010 thread:

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30009&p=146525&hilit=2124#p146525

Happy reading!

CoryClaxon · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 4:52 pm

Regardless of all else, atleast she got some well needed attention. Dis they replace the abestos with anything else or just jacketing?

Wowak · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 5:10 pm

Mark Z. Yerkes wrote:

She has a Wootten firebox, which is designed to burn anthracite waste coal (culm).

Yes, because culm generally burns poorly compared to bituminous. She'd run just fine on any decent coal.

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:47 pm

CoryClaxon wrote:

Regardless of all else, atleast she got some well needed attention. Dis they replace the abestos with anything else or just jacketing?

Yes, new asbestos imported from Slovenia.

I5Hudson · **Joined:** Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:49 pm **Posts:** 22

There is no insulation under the jacketing that I know of. I believe there must be some sort of spacing to give the jacket shape. I think I heard that the jacketing has water drainage holes drilled in the bottom, unlike other jackets that omitted such protection. Also I know 2124's jacket was very difficult to cut and apply in certain areas, (I think in the cylinder areas)

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

Wowak wrote:

Mark Z. Yerkes wrote:

She has a Wootten firebox, which is designed to burn anthracite waste coal (culm).

Yes, because culm generally burns poorly compared to bituminous. She'd run just fine on any decent coal.

True, but her firebox is somewhat of a hold over from the 2-8-0 she used to be. By the time the T-1's were created, the Reading was apparently burning a mix light on anthracite. One could write a dissertation on the coal mixes used by the anthracite roads in the last 20 years of steam. One could. Not me, but someone. WIth a lot of time on their hands.

Rob