WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — Reading Co. T-1 No. 2100 is nearing the finish line of its restoration at the hands of the American Steam Railroad Preservation Association (ASR). As part of the fundraising efforts to complete the project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has partnered with the Cincinnati Scenic Railway (CSR) to offer 50 benefit tickets to ride the Ohio Rail Experience’s Spirit of Urbana diesel-powered excursion, June 14, 2025.
In a press release sent to Trains.com News Wire, open-window coach tickets are being sold to travel from Washington Court House to Urbana, Ohio, round-trip. The train will traverse over three former railroads: Detroit Toledo & Ironton, New York Central, and Erie. Ticketholders will also be automatically entered into different raffles during the day.
“The collaboration of these two non-profit organizations is a natural fit and something that will help generate much-needed awareness of railway preservation,” said Ray Kammer Jr., president of the Cincinnati Scenic Railway that operates the Ohio Rail Experience. “I’ve always been a huge supporter of mainline steam projects, especially those with ties to the city of Cleveland.”
Since 2015, No. 2100 has resided at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society’s Cleveland roundhouse during its restoration, which included a proper conversion from coal to oil firing. The 4-8-4 was fired for a static steam test on April 3-4. ASR Treasurer Forrest Nace confirms that $139,050 will now be needed to complete the project: running gear, final assembly, and painting into American Freedom Train No. 250. Break-in test runs can take place before the year’s end if the amount is raised in the next 5-6 months [See “American Steam group conducts successful steam tests…” News Wire, April 7, 2025].
Fundraiser tickets can be purchased on the American Steam Railroad website.
What about the PRR T-1? That’s a new build, not a restoration, but I’ve heard nothing for quite a while.