Passing the Signals at Independence, the mighty "Four-and-a-Quarter" does her best impression of an old KC-135 A-model going missed approach. Starting her run out of sight in the canyon in the distance and to the right, she reaches full song just before she comes into view. At this point, the exhaust beats are coming extremely fast and the echoes from the canyon walls are filling in the gaps....there is no more chugging....it's just a steady, LOUD roar. Nearly all of the 60 photographers on the photo line would have sworn that we were about to be buzzed by noisy jet airplane at tree-top level. I have heard some loud steam locomotives in my time, but this one definitely takes the prize.
Images from charters and regular operations depicting the Reading & Northern's two steam locomotives, the 4-8-4 Northern #2102 and the 4-6-2 Pacific #425.
