Reading & Northern

Описание: Every steam locomotive has a strong sense of personality, with defining features that give each of them a charm and character unmatched by any other machine created by man. Such is certainly the case with Reading & Northern 4-6-2 #425, after all what's not to admire about the locomotive with her majestic blue paint scheme, thundering stack talk and melodious whistles echoing throughout the mountains of Pennsylvania Coal Country. The "Four And A Quarter", as she is affectionately known, never ceases to amaze the thousands of people that have seen and rode behind her over the years, and leaves a lasting impact on those who thrill to the sight of her climbing the steep grades found along the Reading & Northern, earning her place as a favorite locomotive to many.

After 15 years of traversing "The Road of Anthracite", #425's time in the limelight would temporarily come to a close in December of 2022 as the time on her boiler flues expired, requiring an FRA-mandated inspection and rebuild. As a sendoff to the Blue Pacific, the Reading & Northern put #425 in charge of two different weekends of Santa Claus Excursions in the month of December, and we were there to cover all the action! We first see her running trips out of the railroad's Reading Outer Station in Reading, PA, following her north to R&N's headquarters in Port Clinton. We then see her on a light ferry move to Tamaqua, PA, where she would head up another weekend of trips featuring the jolly old elf himself! The Tamaqua excursions ran both south to New Ringgold, PA as well as north to the spectacular Hometown High Bridge, offering a great variety of locations to witness #425 working hard, especially on the stiff climb north of Tamaqua.

You'll see #425 at some neat places along the railroad, both notable and lesser known, in varying weather conditions from bright blue skies to pouring rains. As always, several different whistles were mounted on #425 during these excursions, including a Reading 6 Chime, a Nathan 3 Chime, and a Southern 3 Chime. While the rebuild should only last about a year or two, we felt it was very fitting to document one of our favorite locomotives that has appeared on our channel many times over the last 3 years for one final time before she fades from the high iron for awhile. Enjoy the thrilling conclusion of #425's first 21st century excursion career in "Four And A Quarter's Festive Finale!"


Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays From Big Banana Productions!

Subscribe to Those Who Also Came Out For #425's Last Runs!:

Train Chamber:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv54...

MPT 1225:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClAZ...

Business Car 10 Productions:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Nn...

Keeper of Steam Studios:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL7V...

Arkansas Locomotive Works:
   / @arkansaslocomotiveworks  

SteamTrainVideos.com:
   / steamtrainvideos  

Big Jim Video Productions:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHLm...

Mr. New Jersey Transit:
   / @mrnjt  

East Penn Railfan Productions:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCub5...

Belt Line Productions:
   / beltlineproductions  

Brodie Productions:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj-X...

Tristan Rail Productions:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSMr...