By Railfan & Railroad Staff

Work is underway installing a new oil-burning system in Reading Company 4-8-4 2100, while the group restoring the locomotive also turns its attention to raising money for much-needed running gear work.

American Steam Railroad Preservation Association is presently restoring 2100 in Cleveland. 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 and is one of four surviving T-1 locomotives. The T-1s traditionally burned coal. 

Last year, the group announced that they would be converting the locomotive to burn oil and was teaming up with FMW Solutions to develop a new oil-burning system (the locomotive was previously converted to burn oil in Canada with mixed results). A number of locomotives have been converted from coal to oil in recent years due to the challenges of acquiring and burning coal. That work is now underway, said Forrest Nace, ASR treasurer and restoration crew member. 

ASR is also planning to do extensive running gear work, which the locomotive last received in the 1980s. As part of that, they will convert the locomotive from a grease cake lubrication system to an oil-based system. The grease cakes are now hard to come by and make it hard to run at speed. Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 2816 was also converted to an oil system during its most recent overhaul based on the one on Southern Pacific 4-8-4 4449. 

Officials said if they can raise $145,000 in the coming months the locomotive will be running in 12 to 15 months. When the locomotive does hit the main line again, it is expected to be painted in the colors of the American Freedom Train and wear the number 250. 

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.