PORT CLINTON, Pa. — Reading & Northern (formally, the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad) has painted GP38-2 No. 2023 to commemorate the railroad’s 40th anniversary. R&N began as the Blue Mountain & Reading in 1983, operating a 13-mile former Conrail Branch, and has grown to a 400-mile route with some 300 employees and a healthy passenger excursion operation featuring former Reading Co. 4-8-4 No. 2102.
The anniversary diesel was built as Conrail No. 8214 and became Norfolk Southern’s No. 5359 when Conrail was divided between NS and CSX Transportation. Sold off in 2020, it became R&N’s No. 2016 before receiving its current paint scheme and number.
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