Chessie System Model Update

Hello, Trackage Video Blog Readers:

It is an exciting day for this Modeler and Railfan. In 1977 the locomotive 2101 former Reading Railroad loco got a new paint job, and was named The Chessie Steam Special. In April of that year it made its first trip from the paint shop to Philadelphia, and then to Baltimore. The loco was put together to have a number of excursion trips to celebrate the B&O Railroad’s 150 birthday. 

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29154

The loco ran a number of trips for revenue starting May 7, 1977. I did not see the engine and its cars in 1977, but my Grandfather and I chased it in his green Cheverly pick-up truck in 1978. I got to see it cross the Harpers Ferry Bridge, and disappear into the tunnel. Then we traveled along side of the great big T-1, Northern 4-8-4 loco through Sandy Hook and into Brunswick a place I had been before to look at B&O Chessie locomotives in the later years of my Grandfathers service as a B&O Engineer.

I was already collecting toy HO trains at this time, and to be honest I think my Grandfather started buying HO models for me at the sight of my Mother being pregnant. I had a big mess of train engines and cars, and in fact they filed an old Army footlocker.  I really only wanted the Chessie painted stuff, but I had a variety.

I had a love for the trains anyway, but I had never seen a Steam Locomotive before. I was only 5 or 6 years old. They are quite impressive to me even today. Well like I said, my Grandfather and I followed along with this Baldwin built 2101 that was originally a I-10a 2-8-0 #2021 built in 1923 and was converted to Reading 2101 T-1, Northern 4-8-4 in 1945, and operated until 1956 when all steam vanished on the Reading except for four T1's 2100, 2101, 2102, and 2124.             

Since that day I wished for an HO Scale Model of The Chessie Steam Special. I got an email on the 18^th of July saying that the deadline to order an HO version from BLI had to be in on Friday the 19^th. I was distraught to say the least, this is the second run of this locomotive that I know of, and I could not get my hands on one at all. That all changed today I got my preorder in for it today and it should be in at the end of September. I have never been so happy in my life, and would like to thank the staff at Hobbytown USA in Holland, Ohio for making my childhood dream a reality. I am sure that none of you know but my family and I are going through a ruff time right now. I had to sell my drum kit to make ends meet this week, but I would trade a second drum set to get a piece of history in my hand, that will forever remind me of the great day I spent with my Grandfather.

http://www.broadway-limited.com/images/view.aspx?productId=1803&index=0

This is something that I am trying to express in my writing and school projects that model railroading is fun, but it is heart warming and doing it with your kids, grandchildren, and anyone that you love is rewarding and will make memories that last a lifetime. For those of you that are modelers you know what I am talking about. I would encourage any of you to take someone under your wing and teach him or her all the modeling skills, and railroad history that you can. I am 41 and I play with trains.

For more information on The Chessie Steam Special, check this out.

Thank you, for stopping at the station.

Robert