The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association says they expect to test fire Reading Company 4-8-4 2100 within the next 60 days. 

The news comes as the non-profit in Cleveland says its made great strides in the rebuild effort. Most recently, volunteers and contractors installed new bricks in the firebox. 

“ASR’s volunteers worked in shifts with professional bricklayers on weekdays between the holidays to ensure all of the firebox firebrick was installed before the end of the year so that when the professional contractors returned in early January they could move forward with the cab and burner pipework and bracket fabrication they needed to accomplish,” said Forrest Nace, ASR treasurer and restoration crew member. 

Locomotive 2100 was built in the Reading Company’s own shops in September 1945 by essentially extending 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, but 2100 will burn oil. 

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