Scranton in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Reading #2124

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

1. Reading #2124 Marker

Inscription. Originally built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works during the mid 1920s as a 2-8-0, the Reading Company rebuilt #2124 among thirty other engines, as a 4-8-4 Northern in January 1947.

Reading Northerns were heavy-duty freight locomotives assigned most often to coal traffic. Their wide fire-boxes burned culm, a wast product of anthracite coal. Together, the engine and tender weighed 405 tons and easily pulled 150 loaded coal hoppers.

Retired from freight service in 1956, #2124 was rescued from the scrap heap. During the early 1960s, at a time when steam had all but disappeared from America's railroads, #2424 pulled Reading trains filled with steam enthusiasts on the famous "Reading Rambles."

Erected by Steamtown Nataionl Historic Site - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1947.

Location. 41° 24.501′ N, 75° 40.407′ W. Marker is in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. Marker is on Mechanic Street, on the left when traveling east. Located in the parking lot for Steamtown National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scranton PA 18503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rahway Valley #15 (here, next to this marker); Grand Trunk Western #6039

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Steamtown (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Union Pacific #4012 (about 500 feet away); Illinois Central #790 (about 500 feet away); Oil House Foundation (about 500 feet away); CNJ #5 Steam Derrick (about 500 feet away); Canadian National Railways #47 (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scranton.

Also see . . . Reading #2124. (PDF) Additional details from the Park Service site. (Submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Reading #2124 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

2. Reading #2124 and Marker

Reading #2124 and Tender image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

3. Reading #2124 and Tender

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

4. Hopper Car

DL&W Hopper Car 81178 is on display in the roundhouse. Hopper cars similar to this one were pulled by Reading #2124 with loads of coal.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 826 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.