Reading Company 4-8-4 2100 successfully passed a steam test observed by the Federal Railroad Administration on February 26 and 27 in Cleveland, Ohio. The stationary steam test, which saw the engine brought up to its full operating steam pressure of 240 psi, is yet another major leap forward for the restoration by the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association. 

ASRPA officials said that, with the steam test now out of the way, they’ll turn their attention to finishing running gear work and reassembling the locomotive. Once the engine is fully restored, it will be renumbered 250 and painted into the American Freedom Train livery worn by sister locomotive 2101 in the 1970s. 

The safety valve on Reading 2100 pops off during a steam test on the weekend of February 26. Photo by Nick Martin. 

Reading 2100 was built in the railroad’s own shops in September 1945 by essentially expanding an existing Baldwin 2-8-0. The locomotive ran into the 1960s. In 1975, it and its sister locomotive, 2101, were purchased by Ross Rowland. Locomotive 2101 was restored for the American Freedom Train, while 2100 served as a parts source. Locomotive 2100 was briefly restored in the 1980s, then moved to Ontario and Washington State, where it ran briefly in the 2000s. In 2015, the locomotive was moved to Ohio for restoration by ASRPA. 

Donations can be mailed to the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, 2800 W. 3rd St, Cleveland, OH 44113, or made online at www.americansteamrailroad.org.

—Justin Franz 

American Steam Railroad Preservation Association crew members pose with Reading 2100 following the steam test. Photo by Nick Martin.