2101 On The Point
The Reading T-1 Northern was born of necessity during the WWII years when building new locomotives was frowned upon due to the steel required for the war effort. So, the Reading Railroad (RDG) took some of their older 2-8-0 Consolidations and converted them into the Northern type.
This particular locomotive, the 2101, was chosen as the first engine to pull the "American Freedom Train" during the bicentennial celebrations in 1976.
In 1977-78 it pulled the "Chessie Steam Special" excursions. In March of 1979 it was severely damaged when the roundhouse in Silver Grove, KY burned down, and was considered a constructive loss. However, it now resides in the B&O Railroad Museum undergoing a cosmetic restoration into its No1 "American Freedom Train" livery.
2101 On The Point
The Reading T-1 Northern was born of necessity during the WWII years when building new locomotives was frowned upon due to the steel required for the war effort. So, the Reading Railroad (RDG) took some of their older 2-8-0 Consolidations and converted them into the Northern type.
This particular locomotive, the 2101, was chosen as the first engine to pull the "American Freedom Train" during the bicentennial celebrations in 1976.
In 1977-78 it pulled the "Chessie Steam Special" excursions. In March of 1979 it was severely damaged when the roundhouse in Silver Grove, KY burned down, and was considered a constructive loss. However, it now resides in the B&O Railroad Museum undergoing a cosmetic restoration into its No1 "American Freedom Train" livery.