On Saturday, August 17th, 2024, the Reading and Northern Railroad hosted their final 2024 Iron Horse Ramble from Nesquehoning to Pittston, PA for passengers to enjoy the festivities of Pittston's annual Tomato Day Festival. This excursion featured none other than the famous T-1, 4-8-4 "Northern" steam locomotive on the point for its second debut on the Lehigh Line.

This event was also special for the Reading and Northern, as it was the date of the grand opening of the newly established Nesquehoning Regional Railroad Station at the Nesquehoning Campus. The opening ceremony featured remarks from several members of the railroad's management, including the railroad's CEO Andy Muller Jr.

Departing Nesquehoning at 9am sharp, the 19-car train climbed north through White Haven and into Mountain Top, where two diesel locomotives attached to the front of the train to assist with dynamic breaking coming down Penobscot Mountain. Upon arrival in Pittston, passengers disembarked and boarded shuttles to be transported to the festival, and the diesels were detached so 2102 and its consist could be turned on the wye. On the southbound portion, 2102 led the train the entire way from Pittston to Nesquehoning, hauling a 16-car train as the three cars that had been on the end of the train were left in Pittston.

I'd also like to thank my good friend ‪@JamieMakin‬ for sharing two clips in this video, these being the reverse move on the first leg of the wye in Pittston, as well as the clip of 2102 traveling solo through the wig-wag signals. Be sure to visit her channel to see her videos from this day!

Without further ado, please enjoy my chase of the 2102 as it made its way to the Pittston Tomato Festival!

0:00 Intro
0:25 JTNQ leads the Rambles consist through the Jim Thorpe Wye on their way to Nesquehoning in the early morning
4:00 The Rambles consist arrives in Nesquehoning
6:28 Checking out Nesquehoning Station prior to departure
7:49 NQPI "Iron Horse Ramble" through Glen Onoko Rock Cut
9:28 Old Cart Ln. (Audio of entering and leaving White Haven Tunnel)
12:44 Kirby Ave.
14:01 Woodlawn Ave/Solomon's Gap
14:50 YJPI departing from Pittston
16:54 NQPI arrives in Pittston
19:51 2102 leads the Rambles consist down the leg of the wye toward Wilkes-Barre, PA (Jamie Makin clip)
21:56 2102 crosses the second leg of the wye
23:51 2102 reverses through the third leg of the wye with the wig-wags
24:23 2102 returns through the wig-wags to set up for servicing and cab tours (Jamie Makin clip)
25:04 Reversing to the siding for servicing and cab tours
26:43 2102 pulls into the Pittston station to load passengers
28:44 Departing Pittston and traveling past the Duryea cemetery
32:43 2102 climbs to Solomon's Gap
34:01 JTPI continues north to Pittston
34:53 White Haven D&L Train Access; Rock Ledge and White Haven Bridge
36:32 Returning to Nesquehoning Station
39:43 2102 awaits its orders for nighttime maneuvers
40:11 Reversing out of Nesquehoning with an excellent whistle show
42:38 Outro

Music in this video:
Song: Tropic Fuse
Artist: French Fuse
Licensed to YouTube by: YouTube Audio Library