| As World War II was drawing to a close in 1945, the Reading Railroad examined their existing roster of motive power and realized they did not own any of the "Super-Power" steam locomotives that most all other railroads owned and operated. The decision to obtain some of these locomotives was paramount, but with the "wartime restrictions" still in place the Reading had to look to their existing fleet for conversion.
The I-10sa 2-10-0 locomotive fit the bill. So the Reading started the "in-house" conversion of 30 of these locomotives to a new class and the Super-power T1 4-8-4 was born. The Reading shops started delivering the T1 in the late summer of 1945, ending deliveries in 1947. In freight service, the T1's made the Reading proud, as they comprised the "Fast Freight" position that the railroad needed to meet the increased post war demands that now faced the entire nation.
However, with a slowdown in traffic and the acquirement of new diesel road switchers, the T1's found themselves in storage in 1954/55. In 1956, the T1 fleet was put to work again. A few made it back to the mainline, but most were assigned to the coal region. Seven were leased to the neighboring Pennsylvania Railroad for several months.
Again, the T1 found new life in excursion service for a time. Number 2101 was available and went through some detail changes. A very striking paint scheme was used to pull the patriotic "American Freedom Train."
She then went through another repaint and pulled the "Chessie Steam Special" for two seasons in 1977 and 1978. Now she sits on display at the B&O Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Reading 2100 is currently running excursions for the Golden Pacific Railroad in Tualatin, Oregon. The Reading T1 and her related versions uniquely saw duty well beyond her geographical boundaries and time era. For this reason, she'll be right at home on a great number of layouts including yours! |
