The Return of the Iron Horse Rambles

Published 2023-10-08
The return of the Iron Horse Rambles, featuring Reading & Northern T-1 2102 thundering through the hills of eastern Pennsylvania between North Reading and Jim Thorpe. Seriously, if you don't have temporary hearing loss at some point during this video, you are not getting the in person experience.

The Iron Horse Rambles were excursions by the Reading Railroad between 1959 and 1964 carried out by T-1s 2100, 2102, and 2124. Fast forward to today, with the recent restoration of 4-8-4 "Northern" Type 2102, the Reading & Northern railroad operates over some of the former Reading Railroad trackage, recreating their own Rambles through a rejuvenated network of tracks through the Anthracite Region of Pennsylvania.

The trips leave Outer Station along the Reading Railroad, entering the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Haucks terminating at the CNJ station in Jim Thorpe. Period accurate signals salvaged from the former railways adorn the route's present day CTC system, giving a feeling that you could step back in time for a moment to witness the power of steam in its heyday. R&N 2102 is mainline steam at its finest!

All Comments (21)
  • @paulzeigler7616
    Incredibly talented Rail photographer. Very creative,to include railside shots of beautiful wildflowers the deer, the snapping turtle hanging out in the pool of water in the stream, under the bridge. This is the best video of the 2102 I've found yet.
  • Oh my dear Lord, this was incredible! Words almost fail me! This wasn't just a rail video, it was a trip back in time and 2102 was the time machine. It's been said and it's true that the best historic artifacts have the power to pull you back into their own era and 2102 certainly does that! Thanks so much for being there (And getting rained on!) and taking us along with you! A masterpiece of film making!
  • @Tank-Battles
    What an epic return! The Iron Horse Rambles are back with a bang. Can't wait to embark on new adventures and witness the beauty of the journey. All aboard for another unforgettable ride!
  • @denault3985
    Very creative angles and excellent photography...and no others blocking your shots!
  • Fantastic video! The quality coming from this camera, as well as the audio, are sooo good! Cinematic productions of trains like this make the story really interesting. Keep it up. 👏👍
  • @ekamera
    My 101 year old father has always liked trains, steam engines especially. Lately we have been watching a lot of videos about trains and this one is my favorite so far. You got some beautiful footage 🙂, makes me want to take a trip up to Pennsylvania.
  • The quality on R&N 2102 is Fantastic on the shots. I really liked the service for 2102 you caught. I was at the second Rambler event back on Sunday, August 13, 2023. It was my first time visiting the R&N. Started out at OS for the hookup then the action really began just north at Cross keys. Then had to hurry back to Hamburg after I took a wrong way. It didn't stopped me for the chase. I enjoy it. Plus I saw the NRFF for the first time. R&N did a awesome job. I didn't mind the double whistle on 2102. I liked it. A very fantasic job you did.
  • This is by far the best video coming out of any of the three events, excellent work. I hope to see more like it in the future!
  • @petrpan5790
    what an incredible video. both video and audio quality are perfect. thanks for uploading. i'd say this is one of the best sounding steam engines in the world.
  • @kaylacostin3996
    The cinematography in this video is exceptionally beautiful. The scenery and all the little details in each shot truly bring this work to life. My three-year-old son and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it, as he loves steam trains.
  • @MPT_Productions
    Fantastic video of 2102, Eric! This is definitely one of the best comprehensive videos I have seen of it so far.
  • No matter how many times I see it. The sight of 2102 under steam leaves me speechless over how beautiful it is.
  • @brianturner8477
    My dad and younger brother road on this excursion back in the 1960s. I know this video would be of great interest to both of them. RIP you guys.
  • Not that it’s ever bad, but the production quality was particularly fantastic on this video. A story was told without any words spoken at all. Great work. 👍🏻
  • @KenworthKyle69
    Absolutely love Jim Thorpe. Didn’t get to ride the train but hoping to do it next time I pass through. Central PA’s steam history is why I love living in this state
  • you dont need words listen to the engine and the whistles and scenery ,.! thank you !!!
  • @Engineer5344
    awesome video, from start to finish. i especially enjoyed the servicing shots of shane and the crew topping off the tender with coal. and shooting the rods with the alamite gun. really great shots
  • @boardoutmind
    My two year old loves watching steam train videos and I do have to say this is probably the best we’ve watched to date