By Railfan & Railroad Staff
Reading Company 4-8-4 2100 successfully passed a hydro test in the presence of Federal Railroad Administration inspectors this month — an important step in the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association’s effort to get the Northern back on the main line.
A hydro test involves filling a locomotive’s boiler with pressurized water and ensuring there are no leaks. With that test out of the way, volunteers in Cleveland can now turn their attention to other projects, including designing and constructing a new oil-burning system for the former Reading locomotive.
Forrest Nace, treasurer and restoration crew member, said with enough financial support, the group could have the locomotive steamed up and running in 12 to 15 months.
“It is humbling to think of all the generous and dedicated people and organizations that have gotten us to the place we now are with the 2100, which we are truly grateful for,” Nace said in a press release. “While ASR continues fundraising efforts to design and construct the new recycled oil burning system, our motivated restoration crew volunteers will be busy with many other projects on both the locomotive and tender.”
Other projects that need to be done include the installation and testing of superheater units; painting the boiler; installing the sand dome; taking measurements for a recycled oil pan design; and reinstalling the oil bunker in the tender.
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 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. Last year, the organization announced that they plan on restoring the locomotive to the AFT scheme worn by 2101 in the 1970s. As part of that, the locomotive will also be renumbered 250 to celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial.
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.
