Fantastic commentary, my friend. What a fight. Goodness. Never fun when you can't hold the rail. The throttle pulsing is tiring, and sucks... just one of those things; there's never a spot where you can just leave the throttle. Tough.
Please do a reaction video to this Hyce would love to hear your thoughts on it, it was you that introduced me to 2102 and ive enjoyed all the videos of it since! cheers from the UK
I was on this trip (October 14, 2023). I was in the third coach back, and we had one heck of a show, though by the end we were all a little nervous that we weren't going to make it.
The use of the booster was, definitely icing on the cake 🎂. I wish that appliance was more widely installed on steam locomotive back in there day when they were manufactured.
Reminds me of the 4501 documentary when its mentioned that on its 2nd life after Southern, it would go up steep grades so slow that "you almost thought he wouldn't make it to the next piston stroke, it was that slow." Incredible to see the crew actually handle such a situation.
This is AWESOME. Great job! I was there that day, we caught them at the junction and then again at the overpass just outside of Nesquehoning. It was an amazing recovery, gotta hand it to Shane.
I hope this gets 7 million views man! This is absolutely incredible work! I’m so glad the algorithm showed me this you’ve got a fan for sure, I’m gonna shout you out on my racing podcast
Just discovered. New subscriber. Very well done, few understand the difficulty of keeping control on slippery rails. And no power assist on the threottle! Armstrong Cruise Control! Would love to see the interiors of the coaches, diners and the dome car. Thanks!
To watch such a well-coordinated crew working so hard to keep progressing up that grade was absolutely amazing! I learned so much about what it takes to get maximum performance from a steam locomotive! Thanks!
This is a video I was hoping was out there after watching this event from a passenger view vid. So well done! This is by far one of the best and most informative steam operations commentaries on the Net! Thanks!
We were on this trip. It was our first time riding behind 2102. It had rained lightly right before 2102 came back to Jim Thorpe to pick us up. We thought we were gonna stall and have to try again. It was a great trip and the crew did a fantastic job climbing that hill!
Great commentary; really neat to see the finer details of locomotive operation in such demanding conditions as this. The booster operation definitely is the highlight of the video for me.
One of the very best videos I've seen. I love the T-1s and this just reinforced my love for these beautiful engines. Shane sure likes the I-10 hooter over the G-class whistle! LOL
Wonderful video! I am glad To see more Steam mechanical operations being revealed to a general audience than you know someone behind the scenes situation. Keep Chugging along!
Another great video, Zac, can't wait for more episodes! Shows what a crew of a steam locomotive has to go through in order to conquer a tough piece of railroad! This video kind of reminds me of some of Rich Melvins statements about operating Nickle Plate Road 765 on the Kanawha and New River subdivisions in the DVD, "Runnin' That New River Train," on how curves, grades, and the trains consist affect a steam powered excursion or train. Obviously, 2102 and 765 are two different steam locomotives pulling two different train consists on two separate railroads with different speed limits, but the same logic applies. And both crews did a phenomenal job tackling whatever these rail lines threw at them!
I was hanging out there at the Route 93 tunnel as well for this exact trip, what an experience that was! Phenomenal footage and commentary of the preceding events out of Jim Thorpe!
Odd thought, that at the 10:03 mark when Shane tires out pumping the throttle, in the next 20 seconds he actually starts gaining speed. Also interesting to note that on the steam chest pressure gauge after stopping pumping the throttle it settles in at about 10-11 oclock reading whereas when pumping it was 12-1 position.
I'm surprised he didn't put 10, 15lbs on the independent here and there on the hardest part, just enough to give slight resistance to slip but not slow the power.
Incredible work of the crew! awesome commentary and video! Looks like something straight out of polar express when they go sliding across glacier gulch with the way shane has to work the throttle!
Another fantastic video! Having dealt with slippery rail I can say that the throttle pumping like he did is often the only way to get/ keep moving. Thankfully I've never had to do it for quite that long.
1. There have been heavier and longer consists pulled by a steam locomotive. 2. Theres nothing wrong with the regular coaches, plus they're cheaper to ride on, and have more windows and are closer to the locomotive so you can hear it work. 3. You can still slip on wet sand.
What a great video & top class enginemanship. It's all in the feel! I've been in a few situations similar as a fireman where holes get ripped in the fire and you are spot filling them. With the automatic stoking seen her, is that less of a problem? I suppose the small grade of the coal burnt results in a more consistent combustion compared to the large lump firing we have here in the UK.
Surprised that they don’t have a pressurized line in front of the lead wheel trucks to blow off the leaves and debris. Steam would even blow off ice build up if any.
Not gonna lie I didn't think the throttle lever could come as far back as it was at one point. I mean he had it just about in his chest. 13:32 looks closely and you can see the fire brighten up every time exhaust blasts up and out her stack due to the draft.
Both engine and crew earned every inch of rail on that run, I'll bet the hogger skipped the gym for a few days after lol. I hate to say it but a diesel might have been useful.
@@regularguy7266where is it located? (I would have thought it was the gauge referred to as “the booster gauge” by the commentator, that would be a logical place to see steam chest pressure.)
@@struck2soon I don't know where it is located, you would have to ask the steam crew of the R&N or ask people who know them and the locomotive. All I know is that it is confirmed to have one.
It wouldn't hurt just to have a diesel in the consist for these situations. Beating an engine to the max is not the way to a timely, affordable overhaul.
The engine isn’t being “beat” at it. It’s doing what she was designed to do in the 40s. All of us that maintain these locomotives take care of them because that means less work we have to do :)
Not saying a diesel is a terrible idea to have, but 2102 can pull these cars unassisted, whereas let's say, 425 couldn't get close to this car count. Also 2102 has done the trek up the hills with leaves on the rails with 15+ cars and the booster wasn't working. The crew at Reading & Northern throw down.
@@bdub215 I agree. And my comment wasn't referring to the crew's experience. I'm sure they're great. I was just thinking of how much money could be saved in the next overhaul if the engine wasn't always working at full capacity.
@J.Howard-wn7oi the engine just finished an overhaul 2 years ago after sitting since 1991. I suspect R&N won't run 2102 as much when 425 is operational again. But to the best of my knowledge, there's nowhere else in the country to see a 4-8-4 running regularly and ran like it should be.
It seems they are trying to haul an awfully long consist, including several super heavy coaches....those double decker observation cars have to be really heavy. In most of the videos I've seen, the coaches are almost never all full...(Although this trip looks packed) ..I don't know why they don't just haul one or two less of the older standard coaches and prioritize selling seats on those nice observation cars. It also seemed like the sanders weren't really working properly...with sand on the rails, there wouldn't be that much slip.
Fantastic commentary, my friend. What a fight. Goodness. Never fun when you can't hold the rail. The throttle pulsing is tiring, and sucks... just one of those things; there's never a spot where you can just leave the throttle. Tough.
Something told me birb man would be here. Looks like my feeling was right. Lol
Please do a reaction video to this Hyce would love to hear your thoughts on it, it was you that introduced me to 2102 and ive enjoyed all the videos of it since! cheers from the UK
Hey, the bird man!
Very impressed that you kept the girl going very good video
This is fabulous. I was riding open window with Wes Camp former CMO and fireman of 2102. He was describing the cab. His description was spot on.
Excellent, Zac and James! Three cheers.
I was chasing this excursion and it was an incredible day. Incredible day
Great video and explanation for all the action needed to keep her going in slippery conditions!
Thanks for the upload. One of the best steam locomotive videos I've seen on utube, I felt like I was right there in the cab of that T1.👍👍👍
Outstanding job!! I’m so glad to have seen these guys operate first hand.
Well done Shane! Your dad would be proud of you! Looking forward to this weekend!
I was on this trip (October 14, 2023). I was in the third coach back, and we had one heck of a show, though by the end we were all a little nervous that we weren't going to make it.
Probably THE BEST steam train video/commetary i've ever seen! Very well done!
I agree completely.EXCELLENT commentary/explanation. Thank you, Sir.
The use of the Booster is the icing on the cake. Such a cool appliance in preservation! I hope to see more episodes soon!
The use of the booster was, definitely icing on the cake 🎂. I wish that appliance was more widely installed on steam locomotive back in there day when they were manufactured.
Reminds me of the 4501 documentary when its mentioned that on its 2nd life after Southern, it would go up steep grades so slow that "you almost thought he wouldn't make it to the next piston stroke, it was that slow." Incredible to see the crew actually handle such a situation.
This is AWESOME. Great job! I was there that day, we caught them at the junction and then again at the overpass just outside of Nesquehoning. It was an amazing recovery, gotta hand it to Shane.
I hope this gets 7 million views man! This is absolutely incredible work! I’m so glad the algorithm showed me this you’ve got a fan for sure, I’m gonna shout you out on my racing podcast
Thank you so much!
Absolutely incredible stuff! The Reading and Northern puts on a world class steam show!
Just discovered. New subscriber. Very well done, few understand the difficulty of keeping control on slippery rails. And no power assist on the threottle! Armstrong Cruise Control!
Would love to see the interiors of the coaches, diners and the dome car.
Thanks!
To watch such a well-coordinated crew working so hard to keep progressing up that grade was absolutely amazing! I learned so much about what it takes to get maximum performance from a steam locomotive! Thanks!
I've heard of "Rowing it up the hill." but never thought I'd ever see it being done. 😁
You can tell the engineer has his hands full to keep her stalling real bad on the rails
This is a video I was hoping was out there after watching this event from a passenger view vid. So well done! This is by far one of the best and most informative steam operations commentaries on the Net! Thanks!
We were on this trip. It was our first time riding behind 2102. It had rained lightly right before 2102 came back to Jim Thorpe to pick us up. We thought we were gonna stall and have to try again. It was a great trip and the crew did a fantastic job climbing that hill!
Great commentary; really neat to see the finer details of locomotive operation in such demanding conditions as this. The booster operation definitely is the highlight of the video for me.
One of the very best videos I've seen. I love the T-1s and this just reinforced my love for these beautiful engines. Shane sure likes the I-10 hooter over the G-class whistle! LOL
Wonderful video! I am glad To see more Steam mechanical operations being revealed to a general audience than you know someone behind the scenes situation. Keep Chugging along!
Another great video, Zac, can't wait for more episodes! Shows what a crew of a steam locomotive has to go through in order to conquer a tough piece of railroad! This video kind of reminds me of some of Rich Melvins statements about operating Nickle Plate Road 765 on the Kanawha and New River subdivisions in the DVD, "Runnin' That New River Train," on how curves, grades, and the trains consist affect a steam powered excursion or train. Obviously, 2102 and 765 are two different steam locomotives pulling two different train consists on two separate railroads with different speed limits, but the same logic applies. And both crews did a phenomenal job tackling whatever these rail lines threw at them!
The principles of wet and greasy rail has been the same for decades and like you said, same logic applies…..try not to stall!
Impressive! What a workout for the engineer!!
What a fabulous video, and I loved the commentary too! Been waiting on a lovely look in the cab like this. Thank you for sharing!
Love the sound of the engine working.
I was hanging out there at the Route 93 tunnel as well for this exact trip, what an experience that was! Phenomenal footage and commentary of the preceding events out of Jim Thorpe!
Odd thought, that at the 10:03 mark when Shane tires out pumping the throttle, in the next 20 seconds he actually starts gaining speed. Also interesting to note that on the steam chest pressure gauge after stopping pumping the throttle it settles in at about 10-11 oclock reading whereas when pumping it was 12-1 position.
Totally different techniques from steam and diesel. My hats off to keep er moving.
These guys are professional as it comes and get the most out of their engines!
I'm surprised he didn't put 10, 15lbs on the independent here and there on the hardest part, just enough to give slight resistance to slip but not slow the power.
Fantastic video and commentary!
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing.
Incredible work of the crew! awesome commentary and video! Looks like something straight out of polar express when they go sliding across glacier gulch with the way shane has to work the throttle!
This is very excellent! Thank you!!!
Excellent, excellent footage.
Another fantastic video! Having dealt with slippery rail I can say that the throttle pumping like he did is often the only way to get/ keep moving. Thankfully I've never had to do it for quite that long.
Thanks for the ride along! Well done!
Support the acquisition of the Shamokin Valley RR by the Reading and Northern.
Killer video!!!
Супер💯💯💯💥💥💥💥
1. There have been heavier and longer consists pulled by a steam locomotive.
2. Theres nothing wrong with the regular coaches, plus they're cheaper to ride on, and have more windows and are closer to the locomotive so you can hear it work.
3. You can still slip on wet sand.
1:59 why does this reminds me of the polar express when they are going to the glacier gulch
What a great video & top class enginemanship. It's all in the feel! I've been in a few situations similar as a fireman where holes get ripped in the fire and you are spot filling them. With the automatic stoking seen her, is that less of a problem? I suppose the small grade of the coal burnt results in a more consistent combustion compared to the large lump firing we have here in the UK.
Surprised that they don’t have a pressurized line in front of the lead wheel trucks to blow off the leaves and debris.
Steam would even blow off ice build up if any.
I've help modify a B737-200 to be able to land on gravel runways. I am also surprised there were no mods for blowers in front of the lead truck.
Not gonna lie I didn't think the throttle lever could come as far back as it was at one point. I mean he had it just about in his chest.
13:32 looks closely and you can see the fire brighten up every time exhaust blasts up and out her stack due to the draft.
Man that wheel slip is intense! thats got to suck when trying to go from point A to point B.
Also it's cool to see kind of how the booster works too!
Both engine and crew earned every inch of rail on that run, I'll bet the hogger skipped the gym for a few days after lol. I hate to say it but a diesel might have been useful.
And they said that driving steam trains are just pushing the throttle then hitting the brakes at a station
Wonder how long of grade you guys were batting
Nice video, well presented. Question: What was the load on the drawbar?(I think I counted 16 cars.) Also, what is the gradient on the steeper stretch?
16 cars and over 1%
@@SteamingAlongtheLine do you know what 16 cars equate to in tons?
@@SteamingAlongtheLine do you know what 16 cars equate to in tons?
@@struck2soon they probably had around 1,200 tons
@@SteamingAlongtheLine thanks. That is a hell of a load by British passenger train standards!
Has it ever stalled, or only near stalls?
Just near stalls thanks to the crew and the booster.
Is there a cylinder pressure/ chest pressure gauge?
Yes.
@@regularguy7266where is it located? (I would have thought it was the gauge referred to as “the booster gauge” by the commentator, that would be a logical place to see steam chest pressure.)
@@struck2soon I don't know where it is located, you would have to ask the steam crew of the R&N or ask people who know them and the locomotive. All I know is that it is confirmed to have one.
Its a shame the majority of the passengers probably had no idea what that engineer did to get them out of that.
That’s another reason we did this video, to show what happens in the cab!
Always wondered why they dont have a backup or helper in the form of one of their SD50's?
It wouldn't hurt just to have a diesel in the consist for these situations. Beating an engine to the max is not the way to a timely, affordable overhaul.
The engine isn’t being “beat” at it. It’s doing what she was designed to do in the 40s. All of us that maintain these locomotives take care of them because that means less work we have to do :)
Not saying a diesel is a terrible idea to have, but 2102 can pull these cars unassisted, whereas let's say, 425 couldn't get close to this car count. Also 2102 has done the trek up the hills with leaves on the rails with 15+ cars and the booster wasn't working. The crew at Reading & Northern throw down.
@@bdub215 I agree. And my comment wasn't referring to the crew's experience. I'm sure they're great. I was just thinking of how much money could be saved in the next overhaul if the engine wasn't always working at full capacity.
@@SteamingAlongtheLine I guess I just meant that maybe not having the engine at full capacity would bring a cheaper overhaul.
@J.Howard-wn7oi the engine just finished an overhaul 2 years ago after sitting since 1991. I suspect R&N won't run 2102 as much when 425 is operational again. But to the best of my knowledge, there's nowhere else in the country to see a 4-8-4 running regularly and ran like it should be.
It seems they are trying to haul an awfully long consist, including several super heavy coaches....those double decker observation cars have to be really heavy. In most of the videos I've seen, the coaches are almost never all full...(Although this trip looks packed) ..I don't know why they don't just haul one or two less of the older standard coaches and prioritize selling seats on those nice observation cars. It also seemed like the sanders weren't really working properly...with sand on the rails, there wouldn't be that much slip.