Friends, rail enthusiasts, and RBMN fans,
On Saturday (10-8-22), we had the perfect conditions for a Fall Foliage ramble. The weather was beautiful, the leaves were stunning and vibrant, and the energy of the RBMN staff was bolstered by our wonderful Passengers.
What could possibly go wrong?
Unfortunately, as many of you know, our newly restored 2102 steam engine suffered a minor problem at a critical area. This effectively shut down the locomotive and prevented further operation for the trip. The part in question is called a “firing table” made of a metal alloy dedicated to resist extremely hot temperatures and it crumbled. Think of this as a nail coming out of a horseshoe. It is a simple fix, but the horse would still be unable to run.
At RBMN, we try to predict every potential point of failure that would negatively impact our customers’ experiences. For example, we actually installed a brand-new firing table prior to this trip!
Needless to say, I was just as shocked and disappointed as all of you. We responded to this one-in-a-million chance breakdown of the 2102 immediately. It was taken to our shop the day of the incident and we are hard at work to get our flagship engine back in service.
Our top priority is the goal of running 2102 still well within Fall Foliage season (prior to Oct. 30th)!
If you haven’t subscribed to our social media channels or navigated to our websites for updates, we strongly encourage you to do so; links are below.
My sincerest gratitude to everyone who has and continues to support Reading Blue Mountain and Northern and your patience as we navigate through this unprecedented and unforeseen event.
Our Passenger Department can’t wait to see you back aboard an even MORE powerful and awe-inspiring 2102 experience to come!
Lastly, the passenger department will be contacting everyone who rode the October 8th trip over the next few days.
Andy Muller Jr., CEO

I have steam loco textbooks in three different variations of English, including one by the Reading RR, and I've never heard the term "firing table." And an Internet search proved fruitless. What the hell are we talking about here, a fusible plug, a grate, or a crownsheet?

OK, I will attempt to post this again.
My post, asking what is wrong with some of you?
Andy Muller has put together a great railroad with two excellent locomotives and freely runs excursions.
Then, the 2102 goes OOS, and immediately the boo birds start questioning.
He wrote a fine description of the problem, which some of you didn't understand so the snotty posts begin. Asking if it is some sort of doublespeak to cover up the "real" problem?
How many of you have bought tickets or supported the RR in any way?
I would love to be able to visit BM&R for a steam fix.
Mr. Muller deserves more respect than what some of you have given.
I'm familiar with the Monday Morning Quarterbacks who come out of the woodwork from my 1522 days.
Give the sniping a rest please.

Absolutely right! It seems a little odd that a firing table would require two replacements in short succession, but I certainly don't suspect any cover up. It would be easy enough to just leave it at "mechanical issues." The transparency of the railroad should be commended. I also understand that a portion of the ticket prices are being refunded and the railroad is reaching out to all ticket holders individually. Any lesser organization would simply point to the fine print "May substitute motive power as required."

I'm still very impressed by this restoration. Mechanical issues will always creep up, but for all intents and purposes 2102 has been running like a Swiss watch ever since the first break in run. Hats off to the R&N steam team.

If that was the issue then I wonder why they didn't try hand firing.