Reading and Northern 425 Cab Ride: Thundering Along the Reading Mainline
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- čas přidán 24. 06. 2024
- On December 17th, 2022, I was able to take a ride on one of Reading and Northern #425's final excursions prior to her 1472-day inspection. However, I wasn't riding in the standard coach cars, dome car, or crown class... I was up in 425! That's right, I was able to secure a cab ride ticket for the 1:00pm trip from Reading Outer Station to Port Clinton and return. This is a ride I had wanted to do for years, as I have long known cab rides were available for 425, however, I was never able to actually get one until these final trips. I can confidently say that this ride was well worth the wait though, and if you are someone who loves steam locomotives like me, it is a ride that is worth every penny. So, if you're interested in seeing what it's like to operate a mainline steam locomotive, make sure to stick around and check out this video!
Additionally, I have several people I would like to thank for making this video possible. Firstly, I like to thank Reading and Northern's steam crew for not only operating these excursions, but also being so welcoming to visitors in the cab. It truly makes a cab rider's experience all the more exciting, and I really enjoyed my ride as well as getting to know the crew!
I'd also like to thank the Reading and Northern Railroad for adding these Santa Claus excursions with 425 as the motive power for the month of December! It was nice to see her run a few more times, as well as being able to receive this experience prior to her overhaul.
I also can't go on without saying a sincere thank you to my family for waiting along the mainline at various points in order to film me passing by, as this allowed me to have both in-cab and trackside footage of my ride. Not only does this make the video more complete, but it also allows me to look back in the future and remember this day even better!
I also have to extend an equal thank you to fellow CZcamsr and friend @JamieMakin, who also provided me with trackside footage of my ride! Please make sure to check out her channel, as she has put together an awesome video of this weekend's excursions, as well as other exciting railroad content from the Reading and Northern and numerous other railroads.
Please enjoy this special perspective of one of 425's final runs!!
0:00 Intro
0:45 Climbing Onboard (Special Thanks to Jamie Makin)
1:33 5 Minutes Till Departure
2:18 "Okay Ahead to Port Clinton... Over"
4:26 Reading Outer Yard w/ Radio Chatter
9:01 Passing Under US Rt. 222 and Approaching Peacock's Lock Viaduct
10:47 Approaching Cross Keys Rd.
12:02 Passing Thru Leesport (Special Thanks to my Step-Father)
14:29 Approaching Belleman's Church Rd.
15:35 Passing Thru Mohrsville (Special Thanks to my Mom)
17:23 Shoemakersville
19:24 Approaching Fisher Dam Rd. & River Rd.
21:51 Entering West Hamburg
22:56 Passing by Industrial Dr. (Special Thanks to my Mom)
23:48 Passing by Lowland Rd. (Special Thanks to Jamie Makin)
25:13 Approaching Port Clinton
28:10 And Back to Reading We Go!
29:24 Pacing at Lowland Rd. (Special Thanks to my Step-Mother)
30:44 Can You Read a Water Glass?
30:58 "I've wanted to do that my whole life!!"
31:13 Entering Reading Outer Yard
31:34 Special Thanks & Outro
Music in this video:
Song: Straight Fuse
Artist: French Fuse
Licensed to CZcams by: CZcams Audio Library
![Steam Locomotive Controls [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UrV8x01LLNo/mqdefault.jpg)
In the 1950's and 1960s we used to travel in steam trains. We used to enjoy those journeys in East Africa. Sweet Memories! NOSTALGIA!
The sound of that whistle is bone chilling. Like a mournful cry calling from the past. Just shivers.
I’m 71. If I dig deep into my earliest memories, I think I can remember the sound of the whistles on the tracks near our home. Diesel replaced steam about 1956 or so here.
425 is a gem. She indeed does really scoot!
That old girl is HAULIN ASS rolling through that crossing..with all the railfans popping woody's..😂 that is a rere treat now a days...not only to see a steam engine but one thats under speed..rolling coal...you got a good fireman engineer.
I just commenting how sad, only forty-two k views! Who doesn't love a beautiful steam locomotive like this?!👍👍
Glad you enjoyed! 425 is my favorite steam locomotive!
thanks for the video, loved travelling in the great invasion of the 60’s. it made me remember my childhood we used to travel to my native in india . loved it
Excellent, just like being there in the cab. What a great ride !!! Thank you very much. Takes me back many years!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was super awesome!
I love steam locomotives, I think we need to bring them back into service full time
I used to work with men who ran stream. To a man they said they would pay good money to run steam one more time, but quit if that was what they had to do every day.
@@andywomack3414 Yeah this looks exhausting lol
I just love the sound of the engine and the power it has ❤❤
Me too!
My Uncle Dave drove the Capital Limited for the B&O for decades out of Connellsville, PA. He hated diesels -- he said they were "unhealthy". He said the cab was hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and wet in the spring -- and he liked it that way. He then proceeded to tell stories of walking out on the running boards in the middle of snowy winter nights to do emergency lubing while rocking and rolling at track speed (70-80 MPH?). He just laughed when I asked him if he thought that was "healthy" (I was 10 at the time).
Thanks for a fabulous video, you put us right in the Fireman's seat.
That’s a really awesome story! I can only imagine how many dangerous stunts like that happened back in the day. Glad that you enjoyed!
Absolutely amazing video!
LOVED being able to watch the conductor start the engine and see the whole process that he has to go through!
Really SO enjoyable to watch and enlightening.
Thank you so much!❤❤❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
I sure really hope Reading & Northern 425 will be back in service very soon.
The crews have been doing some excellent work on her; it will take a little bit but she will be back better than ever!
@@PANortheasternRailfan😊
Great video! If anyone noticed the faces of the rock cuts. Built before modern drills and explosives, they used massive charges of black powder to “toss” as much rock out of the cut as possible, leaving a very jagged irregular face. Compare that to the smooth, straight cuts that multiple drill holes and high powered Anfo charges produce today on our highway projects.
Thank you! Yes those rock cuts are from the old days of the Reading. Lots of history around if you know where to look!
superb video thanks
Thanks for sharing this incredible expierence! And so awesome of the nice folks at Reading & Northern who make things like this possible! Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it! Absolutely incredible people at Reading and Northern; only the best service and experiences for their customers!!
Thank you! That was neat to watch 🎉
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very nice journey with steam 🚂 engine..
Excellent video! That must have been the experience of a lifetime!
Thank you! It was the most awesome railfan experience I’ve ever had!!
Awesome video by the way how did you get access to ride in the can did you ask or was there a limited amount of tickets?
Great video! That’s my dream come true! To just get a cab ride in a steam engine! Thanx 4 sharing! 👍❤️
Glad you enjoyed!! It was my dream come true as well!
Andy Andrews I sure do miss you RIP
Great video. Great memories.
Many thanks! We thoroughly enjoyed the ride 😊😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Your so lucky that you get to ride in the train
When I was little we had 3 railway crossings if I didn’t get to see the train there was 2 more crossings I miss the trains
Reading and Northern finest road mile for mile in the USA! Great video!
Most definitely!
When I was young, I was afraid of steam locomotives our poor government owned .When I was over 30 around 2000 military government gave those engines to China as a gift.We could neither watch nor ride. When I watched this video, I missed ours beloved steam engines.
Yeah, steam engines are the closest things people have made to living beasts
@@PANortheasternRailfando you hope 425 does this in 2024 since it’s gonna return to service hopefully early 2024. Also how much did the cab ticket cost
When I was child I went to big city by Rode this smoking locomotive.....we need 40 km distance 4 hours.beautiful memory....for now we can not find this old locomotive in my country indonesia.
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
@@mohammadsoleh5916 what did it look like
That is so awesome you got to ride in the cab of 425 it’s so cool that even the back of her boiler is painted blue I imagine that being next to those fire box stores opening and closing was very hot
Surprisingly from where I was sitting it was actually decently comfortable. You could feel a good bit of heat of course, and since it was December with the windows open that got ride if a lot of heat too. Chances are in summer it’s a lot hotter lol
@@PANortheasternRailfan yeah that’s very true. It will be a while until 425 will be out on the high iron again until she is rebuilt to renew her boiler inspection the spotlight will be taken for the time being by the Iron Horse Rambler Reading T1 2102 which I’m very happy to see back in service. She hasn’t operated in 30 years and I’m glad to have her back her sister 2100 will follow in the coming year, as the American Steam Preservation Society is progressing on her restoration.
2100 should be owned by the Reading and Northern
How do u get cab rides on the Reading And Northern steamers?
425: I’ll be back!!!!
PAW PATRO;
PAW PATROL
Awesome footage! That’s me standing next to the fuel truck at 13:48, after I rode the 10:30AM train. I saw you leaning out the window and thought “I wonder who got up in the cab?” Lol
Glad you enjoyed! And yep, they hadn’t been doing any cab rides all year but they decided to do some final ones for these trips
Very good jod. And great 👍. Video
😢My father enjoyed lot of his time by travelling with steam locomotives as well as deisel one.
awesome video-Thanks
You are welcome!
Love it! ❤
Great video :-)
Great video! Wish there were more steam locomotives around here.
Thanks! And yeah, there are definitely less than there used to be, but slowly more are coming back. Reading and Northern just brought back 2102 so that’s a big plus as well
Yes, the 1218 and 611 should enter mainline service on their home rails as long as there is still 100 years of coal there!!
Very cool
The ad before the video (coincidentally) had the same music as another series of train videos.
What a great video!
I just love 😊
Great video!
Thanks!
Whose the "Hand-Bomber" guy here, (as I don't remember seeing his name in the credits). God bless you my Friend for your un-tiring dedication and SERIOUS work ethic. Oh, and one more thing...my MOST SINCERE sympathies to your back.
Great ride!
Thanks!
Very good
Thanks!
Steam engine locomotives are the best.
oh oh oh
Very nice experience. Driving train seems to be a very hard job.
I am getting tired just watching the fireman shoveling that coal !
It keeps you busy!
At 8:09 the whistle clearly says good afternoon.
es un joya que deveria de recorrer el mundo
Absolutely incredible
😮😮😮 Always remembering the polar expresso
12:20 12:21 12:22
I see Jamie standing trackside as you took off.
A train before a plane any day.
I got an Idea have you gone cab riding of NYC 5406 a J3a Hudson.
I live in NJ. I gotta get here
Awesome video. QUESTION: Is that left fire door cracked or is that a prior repair?
It is a crack; not sure if it will be repaired or if there will be a new firebox door after 425 comes out of its upcoming rebuild
Hungry beast
Отличный паровоз😊❤❤❤❤
She's a living, breathing creature of habit
Gente e muito bonito ver o maquinista e o foguista operando então ai e nos EUA?
How old do u have to be to do this. I think this would be an alsome experience
Not entirely sure what Reading and Northern’s policy is; some places limit it to 18 and older. Definitely call the passenger department in the future if you would like to know for certain!
Thanks and one more question. Do u know how much it cost to get a cab ride. Thanks for all ur information.
@@user-jg2ku2xz8h it depends on the type of cab ride. The ones I know for Reading and Northern are for the Lehigh Gorge trips in Jim Thorpe, PA for $50. And 70-80 minute round trips in steam locomotive #425 for $100
Does this train go to Petticoat junction?
They need to run the #611 like this
They just might with these upcoming excursions!
NS should at least allow a few 611 excursions a year again. Like Spencer to Asheville and Roanoke to Richmond.
What a great video! When I was a little boy back in the 1950's. We lived next to the Nicklel Plate Road in Hobart, Indiana. It was all steam. That's when my love of Trains started. It's incredible how little the Engineers could see during the nights. Compaired to todays locomotives. What was the track speed?
Thanks! I can only imagine going back to those days to see steam on the mainline; but today’s steamers are pretty nice to see too. Track speed on this line I think is limited to around 40 mph. We were definitely doing 30-35 most of the time
Manoel da Silva❤
AQUI NO BRASIL JOGARAM TUDO FORA . A MAIORIA DAS MAQUINAS FORAM DESMONTADAS . UM PAÍS QUE NÃO PENSA NO FUTURO .
Love the caboose but ditch that pusher engine on the back..don't need it..its messing up the way the rest of the train looks plus that ol girl has plenty of life left in her pistons..she won't be breaking down no time soon.
Thanks for the neat ride. Was the diesel pulling on the way back to Reading? I seem to see less black smoke on the way back.😃
The diesel provided the majority of the power on the trip back to Reading, although 425 was assisting a bit
The 425 you have
❤❤❤❤
I just wanna know what that throttle dance he was doing before the train started moving
I believe it was a technique to get the train moving without losing traction. Cause at first we had some wheel slips which is why we backed up to put sand down. Then he gave it just a little throttle at a time to get a couple revolutions of the wheels before setting the throttle in place.
True manwill the r
I am surprised that a loco that big is hand fired.
WAIT! What’s this? I thought all American steam locos were painted black! 😊😊😊
425 is a special steamer!!
@@PANortheasternRailfan That she is. A little larger than those we have in the UK!
@@22pcirish You should see Reading and Northern’s other steam loco #2102; it’s even bigger
@@PANortheasternRailfan I plan to get to the states one day, to see a BigBoy. As a diesel loco driver here in the UK, I regard it as a cathedral of a loco! And worth a look.
@@22pcirish I hope you can make a visit one day then
takes a lot to run steam
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Around 2346 I guess with throttle open, the beast must be touching 50mph?
I don’t think it was quite 50 but definitely high 30s or 40 mph
What would happen if they were going south at Reading Outer Station and they went too fast and accidentally went onto NS when braking? Would they get in trouble? That could risk an accident and damage to irreplaceable equipment if an NS freight train was coming and hit the RBMN passenger train at the junction.
The chances of that are extremely low as they have to slow down to a crawl through the rail yard. At that speed the engineer could stop the train pretty quick. And they are not meant to stop that close to NS tracks so, it is very unlikely
Gente q buzinar lindo
😀
Too bad there isn't a wye to turn the train around.
A shame that these iron horses were booted out of the way for diesels
I wish our nation's rail lines were still run on steam
Sunt o minune am mers cu ele 120 km h
The steam train soo slow the diesel and electric train way faster
Steam actually can run and accelerate just as fast, if not faster, than diesels and electrics
Great video!!