Reading 2124 is a preserved American 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" type locomotive number 2024, which was originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1924.

Reading 2124
Reading No. 2124 on static display at Steamtown National Historic Site.
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Serial number 57596 Build date December 1923 (As Class I10sa 2-8-0 Consolidation #2024) Rebuilder Reading Company Rebuild date January 1947 (Rebuilt as : T1 4-8-4 Northern 2124)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte New: 2-8-0, Rebuilt: 4-8-4 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 70 in (1,778 mm) Length 110 ft 6 in (33.68 m) Adhesive weight 278,200 lb (126.2 tonnes) Loco weight 441,300 lb (200.2 tonnes) Total weight 809,000 lb (367.0 tonnes) Fuel type Anthracite coal Fuel capacity 52,000 lb (23.6 tonnes) Water cap. 19,000 US gallons (72,000 l; 16,000 imp gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 94.5 sq ft (8.78 m2) Boiler pressure 240 lbf/in2 (1.65 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 27 in × 32 in (686 mm × 813 mm)
Performance figures Tractive effort Loco: 67,984 lbf (302.4 kN), Booster 11,100 lbf (49.4 kN)
Career Operators Reading Company Class New: I-10sa Rebuilt: T-1 Number in class 24 out of 30 Numbers RDG 2024 RDG 2124 Retired 1956 (revenue service) October 22, 1961 (excursion service) Restored May 1959 (1st restoration) 2011 (cosmetically) Current owner Steamtown National Historic Site Disposition On static display, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania

History

The locomotive that became 2124 was originally built as Reading Company class "I-10sa" 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type locomotive number 2024 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works 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-10sas, designating these new locomotives as the T-1 class. 2024 underwent this rebuild in late 1946 and emerged in January 1947 as the number 2124.[2]

For the majority of its working life, the engine was used on freight trains, primarily coal trains throughout various parts of the Reading's network before being retired from active service in 1956.[1]

The locomotive was brought back into service in May 1959 to pull a series of railfan excursions known as the "Iron Horse Rambles" alongside No. 2100.[2] On October 22, 1961, the locomotive's flue time ran out, and the Reading replaced No. 2124 with No. 2102 in the rambles.[2] It was subsequently sold to locomotive collector and the owner of Blount Seafood, F. Nelson Blount, for his Steamtown, U.S.A. museum in North Walpole, New Hampshire, later relocated across the Connecticut River to Bellows Falls, Vermont.

The engine was displayed in Vermont until Steamtown moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, during the winter of 1983–84.[2] In 1986, Steamtown was taken over by the National Park Service and became Steamtown National Historic Site. The locomotive was placed on display near the entrance to the park and was one of the first things visitors would see upon entering the park.[2]

As of 2022, the engine still remains on static display at the entrance to Steamtown.[2] There are no current plans to restore 2124 back to operating condition.

In popular culture

In December 1959, the locomotive was filmed at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal for the 1960 Mark Robson film, From the Terrace, starring Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.[3]

References