Reading & Northern 425: The Reading Christmas Farewell

Every year, the Reading & Northern offers special excursions out of Reading Outer Station to help celebrate Christmas. This year would be different, as this edition of the Railroad's popular Christmas trains would mark the final runs of their iconic steam locomotive #425 before her FRA-mandated 1472-day inspection. Join us as we catch the famous Blue Pacific race along the RBMN's mainline between Reading and Port Clinton one last time. Don't forget to Like, Share, and Subscribe if you enjoyed this video.
Subscribe to these people who I met during this trip:
‪@tristanrailproductions5820‬
‪@TrainChamber‬
‪@TheBigBananaRailfan‬
‪@MrNJT‬
‪@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks‬
‪@EastPennRailfanProductions‬
‪@businesscar10productions57‬
‪@keeperofsteamstudios6654‬
‪@MPT_Productions‬
‪@jackboy317‬
Locations:
0:00 Reading Outer Station
1:49 Cross Keys
2:59 Leesport
4:19 Mohrsville
5:26 Shoemakersville
6:21 Berne
7:59 Hamburg
9:05 Port Clinton
11:04 RBMN Steam Shop
©I-Trooper089 Productions 2022
All Rights Reserved
This video may not be reproduced, copied, or reposted without the permission of I-Trooper089 Productions. I worked hard to make these videos, and they are not to be re-uploaded/distributed without permission or will be taken down in accordance with international copyright law.

[@ArkansasLocomotiveWorks]

Well put together!

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks Jack!

[@patrickmcarter6244]

Marry Christmas, Happy Holiday, & a Happy New Year!

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks!

[@samanthab1923]

Merry Christmas 🎅🎄☃️🚂❄️

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome 😊

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks 🤗

[@BrodieProductions412]

Cool video. Great seeing you.

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks!

[@MrNJT]

W stuff Isak, great work!

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks Arthur! Was great seeing you!

[@multifan75]

Goodbye, 425. See you in 15 years. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@ITrooper089Productions]

It probably won’t take 15 years

[@multifan75]

@@ITrooper089Productions I know. I was joking. But she’ll be back one day.

[@stuartadamsrailfanningvideos]

There is some truth to the length of time it takes to complete a 15 year boiler rebuild! The SP&S 700 is undergoing it's boiler rebuild at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) railroad museum, managed by the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation (ORHF) in Portland, Oregon. The 700 has been out of service for almost 8 years already due to the boiler rebuild that should be finished by the end of 2023.
The main reason is that the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association (PRPA), the 700's caretakers are basically returning the 700 back to Baldwin factory specifications. Unfortunately, the 700 and the other locomotives and cars at the ORHC have nowhere to run at the moment other than short excursions on the Oregon Pacific Railroad Company (OPR).
The locomotives and cars spend most of their time throughout the year as static display exhibits. The 700, SP 4449, Oregon Railway and Navigation Company (OR&N) 197, and Mount Emily Lumber Company 3-Truck Shay # 1 will only be fired up for rare, occasional excursions due to multiple restrictions on operations here in the Pacific Northwest.
The 700 will most likely spend it's time cold in the museum, wasting boiler ticket time, with an exception or two here or there. SP 4449 had a boiler rebuild that finished in 2015. Given the fact that it will be 2023 soon, that means that SP 4449 will go down for another boiler rebuild in just about 7 years. OR&N 197's restoration that began in 1996 has not been completed yet, hopefully before it's restoration reaches the 30 year mark. The Mount Emily Shay needs a boiler rebuild that will start in the spring. This means that SP&S 700 and SP 4449 will be the only operational locomotives in Portland for the foreseeable future, if they ever get the opportunity to do so.

[@jackboy317]

Very nice m8, was a pleasure meeting you!

[@ITrooper089Productions]

Thanks m8! Was a pleasure nesting you as well!