The Reading & Northern Railroad has announced dates for the return of its famed T-1 class steam locomotive #2102 with four “Iron Horse Rambles” excursions.

For the first time in over 30 years, T-1 #2102 will be pulling mainline excursions on the Reading & Northern once again. These excursions will be offered on May 28, July 2, Aug. 13, and Sept. 3r, with five classes of seating being offered.

The all-day Iron Horse Rambles will travel from Reading to Jim Thorpe and return. A 3.5-hour lay-over will be taken at Jim Thorpe.

As an added bonus for railfans and train enthusiasts alike, a photo run-by opportunity will occur.

“A photo run-by will be offered on the return trip from Jim Thorpe to Reading,” said Passenger Department general manager Matt Fisher. “This is an opportunity for riders to exit the train and take pictures and videos of the train passing by a photo location.

“It is very similar to the famed Reading Company Iron Horse Rambles of the late 1950s and early 1960s,” said Fisher.

Built in 1945 by The Reading Company at their Reading, Pennsylvania shops, #2102 is one of four surviving T-1 class locomotives.

The locomotive had a busy career hauling heavy coal trains for the Reading until being retired – set aside by the company for use in its Iron Horse Rambles program at the end of the steam era in the late 1950s.

After spending several years with Steam Tours in Ohio, Andy Muller Jr., owner of Reading & Northern, purchased the locomotive in 1986, operating it between Temple and South Hamburg. In 1991, the locomotive was placed into storage.

In 2016, work began on rebuilding the locomotive and bringing it back to service on the Reading & Northern.

After 30 years being out of service and an extensive rebuild costing over $2.4 million, the time has come for #2102 to make a triumphant return to the high iron.

Tickets are available for sale at www.rbmnrr-passenger.com, or over the phone at 610-562-2102. Ticket pricing will be per person, regardless of age. Ticket options include standard coach, crown class coach, Pullman car private rooms, first-class dome car, first class lounge car and first-class observation car.