Hello Everyone,

Wanted to give a short update on Reading 2100.

First off, if you have not subscribed to our youtube channel you should head over and do that right away at this link below. This is where we post our monthly video updates on the progress of Reading 2100.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYbtX7OHIqw5MEKoVv9Uow

The real reason I stopped by to post today. I need to ask for your assistance on getting Reading 2100 boiler to hydro this year. Do you realize we only need 560 staybolts to be able to engage our contractors to come back and button up the rest of the firebox side sheets on 2100. Only 560 bolts from bringing us closer to making steam.

As of writing this post 23 staybolts have already been sponsored to get us started. That only leaves 537 staybolts to go.

How can you help you might ask?

Well, we have worked with a machine shop in Cleveland, Ohio and they are willing to sponsor the process so our cost is only $10.00 a bolt. So I'm personally asking if you could take a few minutes at this link below to purchase a few staybolts so we can hydro 2100 in 2020.

We appreciate all of the sponsors and donors who have come forward to support this project so far but lets push the firebox to completion and make steam in 2020.

https://www.fireup2100.org/product/forge-a-staybolt/

Via Paypal https://www.paypal.me/americansteam1352

Via Postal Service
Make payment out to:
American Steam Railroad
PO BOX 1148
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050

Watch for our video update on the bolt making process.

Best Regards,

Steven M Harvey
President
American Steam Railroad
https://www.americansteamrailroad.org
https://www.fireup2100.org

We only need $4,160.00 to now reach our current goal!

Many thanks to all of the RYPN donors who have stepped up in the last two weeks since we launched this staybolt campaign. We are very grateful for the fantastic response. As of today, we have just surpassed 25% or 144 of the 560 staybolts now being sponsored. Only 416 left to go!

If you haven't gone online to buy your block of staybolts, you still have time. Help us reach this goal to get them all forged and machined by March 31. We would really like to be welding these staybolts in place before summer!

https://fireup2100.org/product/forge-a-staybolt/

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner
ASR VP and 2100 Project Manager

Just stumbled across this add. Not sure if anybody involved with 2100 has ever seen it or not.

Reading G-3 4-6-2's (210-219, built 1948) had roller bearings on all but the driving axles. They had conventional bearings with Hennessy lubricators on the driving axles. The tender illustrated with conventional bearings is an interim tender, replaced later in 1948 with an all-new tender with roller bearings. The interim tenders then went to G-2sa or G-1sb 4-6-2's that had been rebuilt in 1947.

The first 20 T-1 4-8-4's (2100-2119) also had roller bearings on all but the driving axles. They also had conventional bearings with Hennessy lubricators on the driving axles. The last 10 T-1's (2120-2129) had roller bearings on all axles.

Phil Mulligan

Thank you for posting that historic ad for the Hennessy Lubricators. However, 2100 lost her in favor of grease cake lubrication back in the late 80's Dick Kughn-era restoration. We plan to adapt the Anderson oiler pads with force fed lubrication eventually.

By the way, a huge thank you to everyone here on RYPN who responded over this past week with additional staybolt contributions. We are now at about 40% sponsorship so there is still time to get your block of 10, 20, 30 or more staybolts! Don't delay! Help us get there in the next few weeks so we can start cutting, forging and machining!

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner
ASR VP and 2100 Project Manager

It has always wondered me why Reading went to roller bearings for the second series of T-1's in 1947, then went back to conventional bearings and Hennessy's for the G-3's in 1948.

I had heard both 2101 and 2102 had developed bearing problems (in Chessie Steam and BM&R service respectively) and someone had found a Baldwin workaround from the 1950's that Reading had not installed, using grease lubrication. Remember, Reading had run 2100 on Iron Horse Rambles for 5 years (1960-1964) and B&O Iron Horse Days to Washington in 1964 with speeds up to 75 mph (timed by me using cat poles as mileposts and with a Hamilton wrist watch).

Good luck with the new lub system on 2100.

Phil Mulligan

My childhood memory of discussions about 2102 from it's Steam Tours days in Ohio often mentioned ongoing nagging problems with bearings, specifically from a derailment on a diamond in the Chicago area on an excursion around 1968, if anyone has any info on that. I think that problem was finally corrected after BM&R bought it, but I'm not sure.

Rob,

Any chance you can post the short video of the bolts being forged somewhere other than on FB? A longer video would be even better!
Paul

You guys are doing a capital job of renewing a favorite locomotive. Hope we see her doubled with 2102 in the not too distant future. 2100 is my favorite of the four survivors, being the lead locomotive of the class.

Richard, thank you for the kind words. Always appreciated.

Paul, you may have seen our latest monthly update, but for those that haven't, here is a link to it on YouTube. Be sure to like and share! I'll see if we can't do something a little more in-depth in our next forging session.

https://youtu.be/cEYhCBdfcBY

Who would like to be the next to buy 10, 20 or 30 staybolts this weekend?

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner
ASR VP and 2100 Project Manager

Thanks for posting the link. Those induction coil heaters are awesome, great to see them used here. Have used them in automotive applications where you don't want or can't have flame but still have to heat things up. Best to your crews and the project. Regards, John.

10 ordered. Say hi to Chan for me.
Paul Pickard

I just ordered a few bolts to help the cause along. I visited their shop a few months ago and admired the quality work they're doing. I'm confident that the 2100 will be a reliable runner when they're done.

As to lubricating the main drivers we found that changing out the force fed oil models for solid grease worked better on both the 2101 ( AFT 1) and on the 2100 for the very limited running we did with her prior to her sale to the Canadian.

I wish the 2100 group every success as they work towards first fire-up.

Ross Rowland

Paul, Ross and all, thank you again for the strong response this morning. We have just surpassed the 50% mark today. Who else is ready to help out this weekend? Can we get this campaign to 75% by tomorrow night?

Thanks again to all who have stepped up and helped out!

Thanks,

Rob Gardner
ASR VP and 2100 Project Manager

We are now at 67%! Thank you to Phil Mulligan! Another 40 staybolts will get us to the goal of 75% by tonight! You guys are the best!

Rob Gardner
ASR VP and 2100 Project Manager