NNG: Steam in the East

As anyone has discovered when railfanning in the Northeast, particularly in PA, there is not a better show than on the R&N with #425. An ex-GM&O pacific with 69'' drivers she is often called upon to haul passenger trains up the heavy grades of the ex-Reading, CNJ, and Lehigh Valley. The interesting thing to note, is that #425 displays one of the first front end throttle assemblies for her builder's date (1928).

In September of 2016, Earl Knoob and I ventured out to R&N country at Port Clinton catch the 425 rumble through as she climbs her way from Port Clinton to Schuylkill Haven on the ex-Reading Company Pottsvile Branch. It was Earl's first introduction to the R&N #425 and his first comment was "what a dinky sounding bell..." That's a valid opinion!







A month later, him and I watched her storm up the ex-CNJ and Lehigh Valley on one of her annual Fall Foliage trips from Port Clinton to Jim Thorpe. On this particular trip she hauled 8 passenger cars by herself with no diesel assistance. We did not witness it but we heard word that the 425, around Haucks, got down to 6 mph due to poor track conditions. Never stalling she still made the entire trip all the way up. We caught her at Molino and then Tamaqua tunnel on the first leg of the trip. She is by far the loudest steam locomotive I've heard and I highly recommend anybody who is out East during the fall to catch her.









Here is some audio recordings I made of #425 as well:





As a discussion point, what are you favorite steam shows in the East?

Thanks for looking,

Mike Wilson
Michael J. Wilson Photography
[www.facebook.com]