Hear & See the
Reading T1 (Click here)
Reading T1 4-8-4
Features:
- Beautifully Detailed, Accurately Modeled
Locomotive and Tender Body
- Authentic Design, Paint and Color Schemes
- Authentic Sounds (Sound Equipped Units Only) and
Prototypical Operation
- Many Separately Applied Details Including Brass
Bell / Rails
- Detailed Backhead
- Operating Cab-roof Vents
- Constant Intensity Directional Lighting
- Firebox and Ash Pan Glow
- Factory Installed Painted Fireman and Engineer
Figures
- Traction Tire Equipped for Maximum Traction
- Locomotive Composition: ABS with Die Cast
Chassis
- Tender Composition: ABS with Die Cast Chassis
- Locomotive Length: 9.0"
- Tender Length: 7.2"
- Total Coupler-to-Coupler Length: 15.7"
- Motor type: 5-Pole Can with Skewed Armature
& Fly Wheel
- Couplers: (2) Operating Kadee Compatible
- Compatible Tracks: Code 70, 83, 100 Rail
- Recommended Minimum Radius: 18"
"DCC & Sound Upgradeable" Units denoted as DCC
& Sound Upgradeable are units that are not sound equipped and function only
in DC. Modelers may choose to purchase an optional Sound & DCC upgrade kit,
specifically tailored to the prototype which will add DCC and sound
functionality. Upgrade kit works only for PCM models with PCM
motherboards.
As World War II was
drawing to a close in 1945, the Reading Railroad examined their existing roster
of motive power and realized they did not own any of the "Super-Power" steam
locomotives that most all other railroads owned and operated. The decision to
obtain some of these locomotives was paramount, but with the "wartime
restrictions" still in place the Reading had to look to their existing fleet for
conversion.
The I-10sa 2-10-0 locomotive
fit the bill. So the Reading started the "in-house" conversion of 30 of these
locomotives to a new class and the Super-power T1 4-8-4 was born. The Reading
shops started delivering the T1 in the late summer of 1945, ending deliveries in
1947. In freight service, the T1's made the Reading proud, as they comprised the
"Fast Freight" position that the railroad needed to meet the increased post war
demands that now faced the entire nation.
However, with a slowdown in
traffic and the acquirement of new diesel road switchers, the T1's found
themselves in storage in 1954/55. In 1956, the T1 fleet was put to work again. A
few made it back to the mainline, but most were assigned to the coal region.
Seven were leased to the neighboring Pennsylvania Railroad for several
months.
Again, the T1 found new life
in excursion service for a time. Number 2101 was available and went through some
detail changes. A very striking paint scheme was used to pull the patriotic
"American Freedom Train."
She then went through another
repaint and pulled the "Chessie Steam Special" for two seasons in 1977 and 1978.
Now she sits on display at the B&O Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Reading 2100 is currently
running excursions for the Golden Pacific Railroad in Tualatin, Oregon. The
Reading T1 and her related versions uniquely saw duty well beyond her
geographical boundaries and time era. For this reason, she'll be right at home
on a great number of layouts including yours!
**Specifications on this page subject to change.
