| Great action shot of Reading 4-6-2 #217 heading up a crack varnish with baggage cars and four passenger cars. Built by the Reading's own shops in June of 1948 (no serial number), the idea that Reading was investing in steam this late in the game definitely points to a need for power to pull the passenger service as older 4-6-2's were retired. Unfortunately, the loco and its entire class barely completed 9 years of service, they were retired in June of 1957. Specs - G3 class, 80" drivers, impressive 260 psi boiler pressure, 25x28" cylinders, engine weight of 329,450 lb, tractive effort of 48,344 lb. No date, location or photographer was listed for this photo so "guess-timations" were used. |