The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association will mark the 80th anniversary of Reading Company 4-8-4 2100’s construction with a special open house in Cleveland on October 11. The event will be held at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society’s roundhouse and will support the ongoing restoration of the Northern. 

Reading 2100 was built in the railroad’s own shops in September 1945 by essentially expanding an existing Baldwin 2-8-0. The locomotive operated 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 before moving to Ontario and then Washington State, where it briefly ran in the 2000s. In 2015, the locomotive was moved to Ohio to be restored by ASRPA. The locomotive was fired up for the first time since the 2000s earlier this year. ASRPA hopes to have the engine in service by next year and plans on painting it in American Freedom Train colors. It is also getting a new number, 250, to mark the nation’s 250th birthday 

“We at ASR are very excited to be hosting our very first open house to let all of our followers and supporters have an opportunity to see No. 250 up close and in person and to see and touch railroading history being made right here in Cleveland,” said ASR President Rob Gardner.

Admission for the event starts at $15.00 per person, and children under 3 are free. Guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. To register in advance, visit www.americansteamrailroad.org/visit-events.

—Railfan & Railroad Staff