Reading 2124

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Reading 2124
Hugh llewelyn 2124 (5957783966).jpg
Specifications
Power type Steam
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Build date 1924
Rebuilder Reading Company
Rebuild date January, 1947
Configuration New: 2-8-0,
Rebuilt: 4-8-4
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Driver diameter 70 in (1,778 mm)
Length 110 ft 6 in (33.68 m)
Weight on drivers 278,200 lb (126.2 tonnes)
Locomotive weight 441,300 lb (200.2 tonnes)
Locomotive and tender
combined weight
809,000 lb (367.0 tonnes)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 52,000 lb (23.6 tonnes)
Water capacity 19,000 US gallons (72,000 l; 16,000 imp gal)
Boiler pressure 240 lbf/in2 (1.65 MPa)
Firegrate area 94.5 sq ft (8.78 m2)
Cylinders Two, outside
Cylinder size 27 in × 32 in (686 mm × 813 mm)
Tractive effort Loco: 68,000 lbf (302.5 kN),
Booster 11,100 lbf (49.4 kN)
Career
Railroad(s) Reading Company
Class New: I-10a
Rebuilt: T-1
Number in class 20
Retired 1956 (revenue) 1963 (excursion)
Disposition Static display at Steamtown National Historic Site

Reading 2124 is a class T-1 4-8-4 Northern-type steam locomotive that was built by the Reading Company in January, 1947 using parts from I-10sa Class 2-8-0 Consolidation number 2044.

History[edit]

The locomotive that became 2124 was originally built as Reading Company class I-10sa 2-8-0 number 2044 in 1924.[1] Starting in 1945, Reading began building a new class of 4-8-4 Northern-type locomotives using the boilers and fireboxes from the I-10sa's, designating these new locomotive the T-1 class. 2044 underwent this rebuild in late 1946 and emerged in January 1947 as the number 2124.

For the majority of its working life, the 2124 was used on freight trains, primarily coal trains throughout various parts of the Reading's network before being retired from active service in 1956.

The 2124 was brought back into service in November 1959 to pull a series of railfan excursions known as the "Iron Horse Rambles." In December, 1959, shortly after the beginning of the Iron Horse Rambles, 2124 was filmed at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal for the Mark Robson film, From the Terrace.[2] In 1963, 2124's flue time ran out and it was retired from active service and was sold to locomotive collector and owner of Blount Seafood, F. Nelson Blount for his Steamtown, USA museum in North Walpole, New Hampshire, later relocated to Bellows Falls, Vermont.

The 2124 was displayed in Vermont until Steamtown moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania during the winter of 1983-'84. In 1986, Steamtown was taken over by the National Park Service and became Steamtown National Historic Site. 2124 was placed on display near the entrance to the park and was one of the first things visitors would see upon entering the park. In 2010, the 2124 was removed from its long time display spot and moved into Steamtown's back-shops in order to have its asbestos insulation removed. The 2124 also received a cosmetic restoration and was returned to the parking lot display track.


References[edit]