The Reading & Northern Railroad announces that steam locomotive #2102 has successfully completed its first test runs following its extensive five-year rebuild.

The locomotive made a homecoming on April 6, stopping briefly at Reading Outer Station with hundreds of people looking on.

It also visited Tamaqua on April 7 and 8, plus Nesquehoning and Jim Thorpe on April 8.

Locomotive 2102 is a T-1 class steam locomotive built by the Reading Company in their own Reading shops in 1945. The locomotive has been out of service since October 1991, and has been undergoing a complete restoration over the last five years totaling a cost of over $2.4 million.

Once reassembly of the locomotive was completed, Andy Muller Jr., owner and CEO of Reading and Northern Railroad lit the fire on April 4. The 2102 left the Port Clinton Steam Shop at around 10 a.m. on April 6 bound for Outer Station.

While in Reading, the crew took the opportunity to weigh the locomotive on the company’s scale in North Reading Yard. On the return trip back to Port Clinton, Muller was at the throttle.

“The engine performed amazingly. This will bring joy to a lot of people, including my family,” Muller said. The steam crew continued to conduct tests and make adjustments as needed throughout the week in preparation for 2102’s first Iron Horse Rambles excursion on May 28. These train trips will run from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe, and return.

There is still some availability to ride behind the mighty T-1. Tickets can be purchased at www.rbmnrr-passenger.com/rambles or by calling 610-562-2102.