American Steam RR

Are there requirements to join?

Anyone can join and become a member of the American Steam Railroad. To be on the restoration crew, one must be at least 16 years of age. Those under 18 are required to provide a written and signed permission letter from a parent or legal guardian.

Can I become a crew volunteer?

Any member in good physical health can inquire to be part of the Restoration Crew. Any Restoration Crew member that passes a DOT physical may apply to be part of the operating Train Crew. The Train Crew requires being an active participant of the restoration crew and attending our Brakeman and Conductor classes, or certified previous railroad train crew experience. Restoration & Train Crew members are selected and assigned at the sole discretion of American Steam Railroad.

Reading 2100

How will 2100 be painted?

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.

What whistle will be used?

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.

Will it run with T1 2102?

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

Where is the 2100?

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

What fuel will be used in the firebox?

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.

Where will the 2100 run?

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.

Will roller bearings be installed?

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.

What work is left to do?

Currently we are finishing up the 1,472 inspection, and have some running gear work to do regarding main driver axle alignment, 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.

Is the tender from 2101?

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.

Who owns the Reading 2100?

The 2100 is owned by an individual businessman.