Reading No. 2124 is a T-1 class 4-8-4 locomotive, originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1923 as a 2-8-0, and rebuilt in 1947.
History[]
2124 was originally built in 1923 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, PA, as an I-10sa 2-8-0, numbered 2024, for the Reading Company.
2124 was designed to haul freight, largely coal traffic, the last ten to haul passenger trains but, except for a few troop trains, mainly hauled freight.
2044 was rebuilt in January 1947 at the Reading Shops, where it was converted into a 4-8-4 and given a new number - 2124. It was also given roller bearings during the rebuilding process (one of the last ten to be so treated). 2124 worked until 1956, when all steam was retired on the Reading.
In 1959, 2124 re-entered active service on the first of the "Iron Horse Rambles", also known as the "Reading Rambles", on April 16, 1960 Reading T1 2124 rolls west with an Iron Horse Ramble passing Reading No. 1251 at the Reading yard, next passing a little 0-4-0 Camelback No. 4 such as (Reading No. 1187) of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Co as the pair exchange whistle salutes, and last passing by E. J. Lavino Nos. 3 and 10 at the Sheridan, PA ferromanganese furnace, on 16 October, hauling sixteen passenger cars full of railfans from Wayne Junction to Shamokin, PA. 2124 used to be in a doubleheader with #2100 The last excursion ran on 17 October 1964. However, 2124 was taken out of service after a trip in October 1961 and was then sold to F. Nelson Blount in 1962 and joined the Steamtown collection.
Today, 2124 is still on static display at Steamtown; it is not in the best mechanical condition as its eccentric rod and main rod have been cut.
Trivia[]
- The locomotive made a brief appearance in the opening scenes of the film "From the Terrace".
- The company kept only four steam locomotives: T-1s #2100, #2101, #2102 and #2124.
- In 2010, the 2124 was removed from its longtime display spot and moved into Steamtown's back-shops in order to have its asbestos insulation removed.
- The 2124 received a cosmetic restoration and was returned to the parking lot display track.
