Tourist service started July 13, 1985 and freight service September, 1983. Tourist service on this line ended July 1995 or Dec 1996 not sure. Train excursions also operated on their lines through Port Clinton from early 90's and up on an occasional basis, now most of their rides go to or from Jim Thorpe.
Yes, they discontinued this line for now. Reading Tech occasionally used the line for train rides, but I believe none of the customers use rail service anymore, like Agway and Glen-Gery Brick. The 425 and 2102 are on the "other side" at Port Clinton, which were the former Reading lines. Both are currently non operational. This line, the BM&R line was a former PRR line. In the second half of the 1980's, the BM&R operated a great mix of motive power, PRR, Reading, steam, diesel. BM&R started 1985.
Took a run up to Hamburg today July 3 2011and the whole outfit is derelict and the rolling stock is overgrown and rotting away. coaches rusted with the windows knocked out, and the PA Power & Light fireless locomotive rusting away. What a shame...I rode this outfit back in the late 80's and it was a fun, fast moving ride particularly the section pacing route 61 south bound. I just hope # 2102 and # 425 are being preserved in a better state. That #425 looked so classy after it was painted blue.
2102 is a beautiful machine.. I hate the high pitched whistle on it though. The 2 steamers looked wonderful together.. .hopefully I'll get to see this double-header in the future. Also, who was operating the 2 steamers?
Why does Temple want to tear the station down? That is an original Reading station. I thought the RCT&HS had it as a "south campus", but they moved everything up to Hamburg. It could have served as a southern terminus for RCT&HS train rides but Reading and Northern is using the line to store freight cars preventing the line to be used for train excursions from Hamburg.
Why would they give up this line, but 10 years later open up a new tourist train in Jim Thorpe? Do they think JT is a more viable location for train rides with all the tourism JT gets? At least the 425 is back. I rode the Tunkhannock excursion this year.
My tour guide at the Reading RR Museum last weekend told me one or both were sitting outside in Philadelphia when I asked about them.
I rode these trains as a kid, pulled by 2102, 425, the E8s & 5513. How I do miss seeing them in action now. GP30 5513 is at the Reading RRM in Hamburg. The Temple Station is currently for lease, but the borough council wants to tear it down. A real shame.
the coaches are still there, the 2102 and 425 as well, as for the E units, one of them Im not sure where it went, but the other is at the St. Louis and Iron mountain rr or some name along that lines.
It's a shame the old BM&R is no longer operating, with Cabela's there drawing people in Hamburg they could have drawn more people to the RR but Reading RR Museum is now in Hamburg and Reading and Northern has their excursions out of Port Clinton and Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe 16 mile hour runs every weekend w/diesel. 425 is back will pull long excursions this summer and fall.
Tourist service started July 13, 1985 and freight service September, 1983. Tourist service on this line ended July 1995 or Dec 1996 not sure. Train excursions also operated on their lines through Port Clinton from early 90's and up on an occasional basis, now most of their rides go to or from Jim Thorpe.
rwk360 4 months ago
Yes, they discontinued this line for now. Reading Tech occasionally used the line for train rides, but I believe none of the customers use rail service anymore, like Agway and Glen-Gery Brick. The 425 and 2102 are on the "other side" at Port Clinton, which were the former Reading lines. Both are currently non operational. This line, the BM&R line was a former PRR line. In the second half of the 1980's, the BM&R operated a great mix of motive power, PRR, Reading, steam, diesel. BM&R started 1985.
rwk360 4 months ago
Took a run up to Hamburg today July 3 2011and the whole outfit is derelict and the rolling stock is overgrown and rotting away. coaches rusted with the windows knocked out, and the PA Power & Light fireless locomotive rusting away. What a shame...I rode this outfit back in the late 80's and it was a fun, fast moving ride particularly the section pacing route 61 south bound. I just hope # 2102 and # 425 are being preserved in a better state. That #425 looked so classy after it was painted blue.
NightTrain1955 7 months ago
dang the 2102 was smoken fast.
modeltrainman12345 1 year ago
2102 is a beautiful machine.. I hate the high pitched whistle on it though. The 2 steamers looked wonderful together.. .hopefully I'll get to see this double-header in the future. Also, who was operating the 2 steamers?
EricGSpro 1 year ago
Comment removed
EricGSpro 1 year ago
this is amazing thanks for the post
shininghappyperson7 2 years ago
Why does Temple want to tear the station down? That is an original Reading station. I thought the RCT&HS had it as a "south campus", but they moved everything up to Hamburg. It could have served as a southern terminus for RCT&HS train rides but Reading and Northern is using the line to store freight cars preventing the line to be used for train excursions from Hamburg.
rwk360 2 years ago
Why would they give up this line, but 10 years later open up a new tourist train in Jim Thorpe? Do they think JT is a more viable location for train rides with all the tourism JT gets? At least the 425 is back. I rode the Tunkhannock excursion this year.
rwk360 2 years ago
Look at 2102. Man I hope to see the day when 2124 at Steamtown runs again
yerkees01 3 years ago
The E8s were sold, not sure where. The coaches I believe are still around, but are hidden methinks.
qlancer 3 years ago
My tour guide at the Reading RR Museum last weekend told me one or both were sitting outside in Philadelphia when I asked about them.
I rode these trains as a kid, pulled by 2102, 425, the E8s & 5513. How I do miss seeing them in action now. GP30 5513 is at the Reading RRM in Hamburg. The Temple Station is currently for lease, but the borough council wants to tear it down. A real shame.
wrailfan 3 years ago
Where are all these coaches and locomotives in this serries now! They looked in great condition.
b3tothe12 3 years ago
the coaches are still there, the 2102 and 425 as well, as for the E units, one of them Im not sure where it went, but the other is at the St. Louis and Iron mountain rr or some name along that lines.
mattgin 3 years ago
So how many coaches do they have at the Blue mount. and Reading? Seems like a lot?
b3tothe12 3 years ago
Oh wow. I was there for Railfan weekend.. I was just a kid. I still remember climbing up into the cab of 2102.
racerwowak 3 years ago
It's a shame the old BM&R is no longer operating, with Cabela's there drawing people in Hamburg they could have drawn more people to the RR but Reading RR Museum is now in Hamburg and Reading and Northern has their excursions out of Port Clinton and Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe 16 mile hour runs every weekend w/diesel. 425 is back will pull long excursions this summer and fall.
rwk360 3 years ago