Chessie Steam Special 1977 with Reading Railroad locomotive

Vintage rail film showcasing the Chessie Steam Special, led by Reading Railroad 4-8-4 locomotive #2101, as it storms from Baltimore over the Allegheny mountains with a matching consist of passenger cars in 1977.

[@NERRP2017]

This is the reason why 2101 is my fav steamer from the RDG t1 class of all time cause she hauled this train

[@1978garfield]

Thanks for sharing this.
A great film I had never seen before.

[@evanf1293]

it's a shame that 2101 will possibly never run again

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

Making the locomotive builders at Baldwin proud carrying the spirit of the Anthracite road (The Reading) and keeping it alive with the sleeping kitten (The Chessie)... until some bums torched her home while she slept.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

I haven't been able to find any information about the cause of the roundhouse fire. Did they ever determine how it started?

[@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren]

@@JCBro-yg8vd Neither have I. All I know is it was arson

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

@@Thunderbolt_1000_Siren So they know it was intentionally set, but not how or by who?

[@NERRP2017]

Thunderbolt 1000 Siren Productions yeah it sucks that a roadhouse fire damaged the steamer that posed that awsome whistle, of only she could run again along side 2716 and 576 on CSX rails god that would be awsome!

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

@@NERRP2017 I don't think 2101 will ever run again. From what I read they were unable to determine if the fire caused any internal damage. And even if it hadn't 2101 has been left in a state of disrepair at the Baltimore Railroad Museum ever since she was swapped out for 614. On top of that, 2101 apparently had a lot of mechanical problems during her last two years of excursion service. And it's entirely possible that, given how she was rebuilt as a 4-8-4, modern day FRA regulations would make repairing and restoring her too expensive.

[@zareenbakash9097]

Richard Looks Good in Chessie system livery. BTW Richard is the nickname of reading 2101

[@steamgent4592]

Wish the guy who produced these films was still around. I'd love to know who's records he used for this and Rambling on the Reading?! Anyway the Disco era steamer fits perfectly with that Disco music! I just wish I could find out what band/orchestra is performing it. I miss these tunes so much from my days as a kid!

[@samgarofalo2461]

Music reminds me of Charlie’s Angels

[@b3j8]

That or "CHIPS."

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

2:03

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

0:30

[@SuperFoxyRailwayProduction6702]

11:57