Reading and Northern Pups Pull a 58 Car Coal Train

On December 12th, 2023, I caught a unique train on the Reading and Northern's Minersville Branch, this being the move of a 58-car empty coal train to Minersville transported by none other than two of Reading and Northern's "Pup" switchers.
Both of these locomotives are EMD SW-8 four-axle switchers built in 1952. #800 was originally a Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad locomotive, while #801 was originally a Lehigh Valley Railroad locomotive. After serving on these railroads, both switchers also served on Conrail before being purchased by the Reading and Northern Railroad.
Considering the age of these locomotives, as well as #801 sharing a heritage with the surrounding area (the Lehigh Valley RR originally past through Glenworth as well), this move was unique and exciting to see! Additionally, the job transporting these cars was the Port Clinton to West Cressona job or PNWC.
Please enjoy this video of two of Reading and Northern's Pups putting in the work!!
0:00 Intro
0:25 PNWC traverses through West Cressona completing final yard movements
1:27 #800 and #801 pulls their cut of coal cars onto the main south of Becks
4:09 Traversing upgrade through Glenworth
5:42 Westwood Jct.
7:49 Passing through Minersville (full train)
12:27 Heading to New St. Nick
12:45 Outro
Music in this video:
Song: Tropic Fuse
Artist: French Fuse
Licensed to CZcams by: CZcams Audio Library

[@LordCarpenter]

Somewhat unusual -- but refreshing -- to hear these EMDs as they transition. Love those older locomotives.

[@DelHudson1]

Thanks for posting this. SW8 #800 is in the new Lionel catalog, so it's great to see that it wasn't a fantasy scheme.

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@StephenCarlBaldwin]

Amazing to see these two 71-year old locomotives strutting their stuff. Great video!

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

Thank you very much!

[@AppalachianRailfan99]

Oh how I love the R&N

[@lashendawest7509]

Great catches and awesome video collin

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Alcochaser]

The pups rock

[@lashendawest7509]

Good morning collin

[@michaelspraggins5419]

That's pretty impressive....leading a 58 car train..even empites.

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

Sure was!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Ah nice!!!!👍

[@KenanTurkiye]

If I had a horn, that would be salute to all the rail fans out there, toot toot :)))

[@KenanTurkiye]

ooops forgot to post the time :)))
4:48

[@KenanTurkiye]

ohh and '....'that would be *MY salute to all.....'''
yeah I'm a bit challanged today :))))

[@brianfalzon6739]

Wow, great catches and well done!

[@-_Spiral_-]

For little diesels, they sure are strong!

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

They definitely are!

[@armandoperez7967]

They could just as easily have used one SD50.

[@PANortheasternRailfan]

Could’ve, but this was pretty neat!

[@armandoperez7967]

@@PANortheasternRailfan very true! The two switchers sure sounded great!