Reading Railroad Steam LocomotivesThe classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Reading Railroad steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of classes from A to T. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of Reading's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.
It should be noted that the Reading rostered several large steamers including 2-8-8-0 heavy articulateds, 2-10-2 Santa Fes, and most famous of all its Class T-1 4-8-4 Northerns (the newest and last steam locomotives purchased by the Reading). Thankfully for history's sake and the railfan community no less than four T-1s are preserved (#2101 was used on the famed Chessie System Special while #2102 was once used for excursion service on the Reading & Northern) along with four other Reading steamers. For more information about these survivors please click here. The Reading's Class A included its fleet of 0-4-0 switchers. The Reading's Class B included its fleet of 0-6-0 and 0-6-0T switchers. The Reading's Class C1a included its small roster of four 4-4-4s. The Reading's Class D included its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans. The Reading's Class E included its fleet of 0-8-0 switchers. The Reading's Class G included its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.
The Reading's Class I included its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations. The Reading's Class J1sa included its small roster of 2-10-0 Decapods. The Reading's Class K1 included its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes (Class K1sa and K1sb). The Reading's Class L included its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers. The Reading's Class M1sa included its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados. The Reading's Class N1 included is fleet of 31 massive 2-8-8-2 heavy ariculateds (also known as Chesapeakes on the C&O). The Reading's Class P included its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics. The Reading's Class Q1c was a special class for a small roster of 2-6-4Ts. The Reading's Class T-1 was its most famous steam locomotives of the 4-8-4 Northern wheel arrangement (the railroad owned 30 in all).
For more reading about steam locomotives like those operated by the Reading consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. Also, consider the book American Steam Locomotives from author Brian Solomon. While this publication does not include quite as much technical data as Lamb's book, Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive, it is still a very good resource with lots of information and best of all, is loaded with photographs! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.
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