The 2100 will debut in the striking Red, White, and Blue American Freedom Train 250 scheme in celebration of America’s 250 Semiquincentennial. In the future it will wear Reading and possibly other paint schemes.

One of our members generously donated $2,700 for a new, all brass Reading 6 chime passenger whistle, which the 2100 wore during her years in operation on the Reading Rambles. Rizzoli Locomotive Works had original Reading castings to make the exact replica. The 2100 will be equipped in the future to allow for guest whistles from time to time as well.

Should an opportunity arise that can logistically be done, and is financially viable, ASR will do everything possible to make a meeting with the 2102 happen

ASR is leasing stall no. 2 in the old B&O roundhouse at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society, located at 2800 West 3^rd Street in Cleveland, Ohio.

Based on economic and operating challenges, ASR’s Board of Directors has made the decision for No. 2100 to be set up as an oil burning locomotive utilizing recycled oils, including recycled vegetable oil. Throughout 2023 ASR has been reviewing operating opportunities and costs with regard to the fuel we should be utilizing, especially at sites where proper coal storage and ash abatement are not permanently established. While the fuel will be changing, ASR is committed to properly storing the unused coal components, and having the external firebox and inside cab appearance be as it was originally built, including the firebox butterfly doors. ASR has selected FMW Solutions as the contractor to engineer the 2100 with a proper recycled oil firing system. Please see under News & Announcements the full Press Release with regard to this change.

The 2100 will run at any location where an agreement has been reached for the 2100 to operate, whether it be for excursion trains, photo charters, engineer for an hour, movies, or other operating opportunities.

The 2100 has roller bearings on the pilot, trailing, and tender trucks. Only the main drivers of T1’s 2100-2119 had plain bearings. T1’s 2120-2129 had roller bearings on all axles. Per consultations with our professional contractors, they recommended that if the 2100’s main driver plain bearings are running properly as they have in the past, that staying with the grease block setup it is equipped with would be their recommendation, as other mainline 4-8-4’s with plain bearings are operating today as well, and a conversion would be extremely expensive. Additionally, ASR will be installing bearing temperature monitoring devices for the main driver bearings.

With the FRA observing a satisfactory hydrostatic test of the boiler and taking no exceptions, ASR is completing the conversion of the oil firing system. We also have running gear work to do regarding main driver axle alignment, upgrading the lubrication to forced oil, and replacement of some rod brasses. The tender needs the old cistern coating removed and a new one applied. Additionally, the back head needs re-plumbed, and the locomotive boiler needs insulated and jacketed. Lastly, a complete paint job then needs applied.

Yes, when the roundhouse fire the 2101 was involved in occurred, the tender still had coal in it which caught fire, and warped the sides. Since 2101 was going to be a display museum piece, it was decided to swap the 2101’s tender with the one from the 2100 as it was in better shape for display. When Richard Kughn purchased the 2100 for a restoration back to operating condition in the late 1980’s, the 2101’s tender was completely restored, including new sides installed.

The 2100 is owned by an individual businessman.