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Aug 30, 2023

Group Restoring Reading 2100 to Says Locomotive Will Burn Oil

American Steam Railroad Preservation Association recently took delivery of locomotive 2100’s new boiler tubes. The locomotive is seen in Philadelphia in the 1960s. Photo Courtesy of American Steam

American Steam Railroad Preservation Association recently took delivery of locomotive 2100’s new boiler tubes. The locomotive is seen in Philadelphia in the 1960s. Photo Courtesy of American Steam Railroad Preservation Association.

By Justin Franz

American Steam Railroad Preservation Association announced last week that they would burn oil in Reading 4-8-4 2100, currently being restored to operating condition in Cleveland. The group cited economic and operating challenges as the reasons for the conversion.

Locomotive 2100 was previously converted to oil in Canada, but American Steam is working with FMW Solutions on a new oil-burning system. A number of locomotives have been converted from coal to oil in recent years due to the challenges of acquiring and burning coal. The fuel system, which will also burn recycled vegetable oil, will be designed to work inside the locomotive’s Wooten firebox that was designed specifically to burn Anthracite coal.

“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,” said Forrest Nace, treasurer and restoration crew volunteer. “Taking into account the expense of not only the coal but its transport, proper storage, loading, and ash abatement, it became evident that it would be difficult to have any remaining funds after operating at non-steam railroads and museums we are in discussions with. Additionally, the logistics of storing, refueling, and burning liquid fuel is in-line with what modern railroads and diesel-operated tourist lines are accustomed to, thereby greatly expanding our opportunities and reducing emissions.”

“Our firm has extensive, personal experience in operating and designing systems for oil-fired steam locomotives, and we are pleased to have been selected to design and install a firing adaptation that will make the 2100 a more sustainable locomotive,” said Wolfgang Fengler, Vice President of Engineering of FMW. “The versatility of this firebox’s ability to burn culm, anthracite, and bituminous coal shows it to be a very adaptable design. With the proper components, fire pan dimensions, layout, air controls, and draft, it will produce excellent steaming capabilities and performance burning recycled oil as fuel.”

The news comes as the group takes delivery of 291 new boiler tubes that will be installed in the locomotive, one of the final parts necessary to complete the restoration of the boiler. A fundraiser for boiler tube installation was just launched to raise the remaining $10,767 needed to install the tubes. Each donation of $37 pays for one tube to be rolled, beaded, and welded in place. Tax-deductible donations towards the restoration of the Reading T1 2100 can be mailed to American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, 2800 W. 3rd St., Cleveland, OH 44113, or made online at www.americansteamrailroad.org.

The group is also presently selling tickets to its Legends of Steam fundraiser being held on October 28 in Cleveland. The keynote speaker will be Steve Wickersham who was Ross Rowland’s “right-hand man” on the American Freedom Train and Chessie Steam Specials in the 1970s.

American Steam Railroad Preservation Association was founded in 2005 to restore steam locomotives. In 2008, it purchased Frisco 2-8-2 1352 and in 2014, signed a multi-year lease for Reading 2100. The group moved the 4-8-4 from its previous home in Washington to Ohio in 2015 and has been working on it ever since.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated after publication to note that the locomotive had been converted to burn oil back in Canada.

This article was posted on: August 7, 2023