Local Trains In PA
Steam locomotive #425 has been owned and operated by the R&N and predecessor Blue Mountain and Reading since the mid 1980's. Originally this locomotive pulled excursions on 13 miles of track between Temple (Reading) and Hamburg, PA. Eventually these excursions ended but the 425 continued to operate, visiting more and more points on the ever expanding R&N. In may of 1995 the 425 came to Scranton to participate in the Steamtown Grand Opening. The engine was so well recieved that it wound operating out of Scranton for nearly two years. Sadly, the 425 now sits dissassembled in the Port Clinton roundhouse (having last run in 1996), with little chance of operating again in the near future, while visitors to Steamtown frequently ask "Whatever happened to the blue engine?".
Labor Day weekend of 1995 finds the 425 and Steamtown's 2317 shifting cars after a sold out double-header. In a scene reminiscent of an old passenger terminal of 50 years ago, the 425 is pulling a privately-owned office car off the rear of the regular coach class cars. 8/95
The 425 strikes a classic pose with the a former Missouri-Kansas-Texas business car. 8/95
Leaving Steamtown for a set of Santa Claus excursions elswhere on the R&N system, the 425 re-creates an atmosphere the could be mistaken for 1945 instead of 1995 as it passes a approaches a group of vintage freight cars. 11/95
On the same day as the photograph above, the 425 is viewed from the tower at Bridge 60. 11/95
The 425 is seen passing the tower at Bridge 60 on a cold November morning. 11/95
Having wintered in the Steamtown Roundhouse, the 425 is being readied for a series of excursions celebrating "National Park Week" in the Spring of 1996. 4/96
The Nationnal Park Week trains were to be double headers, however Steamtown's 2317 only made the first run on the first day before suffering firebox damage due to over-fireing. The solo 425 is seen at Moccow, PA on the second run. 4/96
Another National park Week special is seen heading west (rare for steam engines here, they usually face east) in the town of Dunmore, PA. This view is from a former Erie Railroad bridge on that company's "Jessup Branch". 4/96
The "other" steam locomotive rostered by the R&N is a true giant. Former Reading Co 2102 was used on excursions by the R&N until around 1991. It has not operated since, but was spruced up for display in the summer of 1999 for an open house at the railroad's Port Clinton Headquarters. 7/99