Reading & Northern Return to Steam

The Reading & Northern ran an excursion on Saturday, December 29, 2007 with a recently restored steam engine. We received the following text and pictures via email from Kermit Geary Jr. FYI - Port Clinton is just north of Hamburg, PA, along I78 west of Allentown.

"A belated Christmas gift from the Reading & Northern came today in the form of the return to steam, after 11 long years, of the ex GM&N 425....or 4 & a quarter as she is affectionately called.

They put on a great show as it ran from North Reading, PA to Haucks, PA, turning on the wye there, and then heading back to Port Clinton, PA with a dinner stop at the restored Tamaqua Station.

Thanks to Andy Mueller and the people of the R&N Steam program for a wonderful and memorable day."

Photos and captions are by Kermit Geary Jr. (Annotations are by me because some of the place names do not appear on a regular road map.)

At engine facility in Port Clinton, PA


Leaving the depot at Port Clinton, PA

At speed through New Ringgold, PA

Highballing through Reynolds, PA

(Reynolds is just west of Rt. 443 between New Ringgold and South Tamaqua)

HiBall through Tamaqua, PA

Passing old water tank at East Mahanoy Junction, PA

(East Mahanoy Junction is along Rt. 54 about 3 or 4 mi. west of Hometown, PA)

Arriving Haucks, PA

(Haucks is about 3 or 4 mi. west and slightly north of Hometown, PA)

Leaving Haucks, PA after service stop

Heading into the Sunset