On Saturday September 8, CNJ 113 was fired up and she moved under her own power to a section of the siding where we replaced some of the ties. The track where she has been sitting on for overhaul for the last 12 or so years had deteriorated to a dismal state and was unsafe for any type of regular test movements. We now have to replace the ties in the section behind the tender and then the siding will be in a good enough condition to run 113 back and forth safely.

She was also steamed Sunday and moved back and forth for other testing. Reading and Northern engineer Chad Frederickson brought some of his whistle collection up and the area was serinaded throughout the day with some wonderful sounds of the past.

We would like to thank the Reading and Northern Railroad and the Reading Anthracite Company for various track components which made the repairs possible. It is this cooperation by these coroprations which help make this type of preservation possible.

Bernie Perch

That's great news! I have read that the first test run didn't have any video of the historic event. Did this steam up and run have any video? I'd love to see this girl running!

Joe

One of our members was supposed to video it, but I don't know for sure. It was about 8:30 PM and very dark outside. The cylinder cocks were wide open and all you probably could see were the headlight and class lights and a big cloud of water vapor. I was at the throttle and it was something I wanted to do since the early 1970's when I sat in her cab at the breaker and said to myself that someday I am going to run this thing. It was a long wait.

Bernie

[quote=" I was at the throttle and it was something I wanted to do since the early 1970's when I sat in her cab at the breaker and said to myself that someday I am going to run this thing. It was a long wait.

Bernie[/quote]

But well worth it I'm sure. I think we have all had a similar feeling at one point or another and I'm really happy you guys were able to see it to fruition.

The signal light from the Ashland rotary dumper was laying on the ground when we (W&W) prepared the #113 for it's trip to Wilmington. We tossed it into the tender and after a while it was fixed up and placed at Greenbank Station. The next time you're down to W&W check it out.

http://www.wwrr.com/about/equipment/lar ... r-8408.jpg

Bernie,

Congrats on reaching that long waited upon goal!

My kudos to Bernie and crew.
My very first cab visit(no ride) was a Jersey Central Pacific on a fan trip around 1951 or so.
I vowed to never get in a cab again as I was sure it was going to explode with me in it.

After steam cab rides around the world, I got over it !!

Ira Schreiber
Aurora, CO

Thanks, Bernie -and congrats to all on another milestone!

Stephen

One of the great steam miracles of 2012. Please post some video when you move her next!

From their Facebook page, photo by Ed Kaspriske (who used to post/lurk here).

Tom, I'm pretty sure that signal was replaced recently with the B&O Semaphore.

Plus, Ed dates all of his pictures...look at the date in the lower left corner.

So far, including those from him, no pics from the weekend have been posted (that I've seen).

I am just the mouthpiece (among many other things) for Project 113. The congratulations must go to Bob Kimmel (shown on the right in the above photo) and the other volunteers who have put in so many hours of work. If one were to visit the site and meet Bob, you would understand why this was a miracle restoration project.

Bernie

I've used my special superpowers as moderator to turn back the clock on this thread. A bit heavy handed? Maybe. We're not going to tolerate the bickering. Don't take it personally. The vast majority of us are happy and excited that she is back amongst the living.

Tom Gears
Moderator

Thank you, Tom.

Ira Schreiber