First light at Port Clinton. Sunrise is fast approaching on a cloudy, misty morning in the yard at Port Clinton, PA, as the crew of Reading & Northern Locomotive #2102 completes their servicing and prepares for their imminent departure to Reading's Outer Station. The big T-1 has been hot since the previous day and preparations have been underway all night. Shortly, a diesel-switcher will cross the turntable behind me and couple to the pilot of 2102 for a diesel-drag to the north end of the yard, where she will be positioned on the main line. In order to be on station for a 9AM departure at Reading, the 2102 crew will typically depart Port Clinton before 7:30 AM local, for a 16-mile, light reverse move to the Reading Yard, where the excursion consist is already waiting.
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.
