Bringing back an older thread of mine here, but it looks like we have somewhat of a status update on Reading T1 no. 2102! These photos were posted to the Facebook page "Fans of the Reading T-1", and seem to show the 2102's firebox and front tube sheet in particular. This is only a handful of the photos posted.
(Photos removed to comply with TOS. Consult "Fans of the Reading T-1" on Facebook to see photos.)
Additionally, this was posted to the Facebook page "Reading & Northern Railfans". This is from a recent Trains Magazine catalog. I find the photo of the 2102 next to Pacific no. 425 particularly exciting. However, I would take the text highlighted in red with a grain of salt, as Andy has been saying this for years now, and the locomotive is still not finished.
(Photos removed to comply with TOS. Consult "Reading & Northern Railfans" on Facebook to see photos. Highlighted text said Muller would like to have the engine on the road this year.)
Now, lets shift our focus on to sister no. 2100. I recently became a member of the American Steam Railroad and had my first work session just yesterday. Within the past 6 months or so, we lifted the newly fabricated inner side sheets into the firebox, welded these to the old plates, drilled out all of the staybolt holes, and riveted the sheets to the mudring, among many other projects. For our work session yesterday, we did something quite noticeable...as in we put the bell and bracket back onto the smokebox.
Other work included putting some of the ashpan brackets back on, and cleaning and painting of some of the stoker parts. We still need to raise $245,000 to complete the restoration, and $24,000 to complete the firebox project, which would allow us to do a hydrostatic test. Every little donation helps.
Finally, to answer your first question before it's asked, if possible, we would be more than happy to partner up with the Reading & Northern to get the two T1s back together again. That would be the first time since 1975 that two Reading T1s were together, and the first time since 1964 that two were steaming together...hard to believe!
