Reading Blue Mountain and Northern 425

Reading and Northern 425
No. 425 idling at Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania on June 18, 2021
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderBaldwin Locomotive Works
Serial number60339
Build dateJanuary 1928
Rebuild dateMay 2008
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-6-2
 • UIC2'C1'
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.69 in (1.753 m)
Wheelbase65.79 ft (20.05 m) ​
 • Engine33.08 ft (10.08 m)
 • Drivers12.17 ft (3.71 m)
Axle load43,000 lb (20,000 kg)
Adhesive weight129,000 lb (59,000 kg)
Loco weight213,000 lb (97,000 kg)
Tender weight182,000 lb (83,000 kg)
Total weight395,000 lb (179,000 kg)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
Water cap.8,500 US gal (32,000 L; 7,100 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area54.20 sq ft (5.035 m2)
Boiler pressure210 psi (1.45 MPa)
Heating surface:
 • Firebox196 sq ft (18.2 m2)
Cylinders2
Cylinder size22 in × 28 in (559 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Performance figures
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Tractive effort35,000 lb (15.9 tonnes)
Factor of adh.3.72
Career
Operators
ClassG-1
Number in class1st of 2
Numbers
  • GM&N 425
  • GM&O 580
  • LE 2
  • LE 4
  • VFS 425
  • RBM&N 425
Retired
  • 1950 (revenue service)
  • 1970 (1st excursion service)
  • October 13, 1996 (2nd excursion service)
Restored
  • October 1, 1950 (1st excursion service)
  • August 1984 (2nd excursion service)
  • December 29, 2007 (3rd excursion service)
Current ownerReading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad
DispositionUndergoing 1,472-day inspection and overhaul
References:

Reading Blue Mountain and Northern 425 is a G-1 class 4-6-2 "Pacific" type steam locomotive, built in January 1928 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW) for the Gulf, Mobile & Northern Railroad (GM&N). After the GM&N was consolidated into the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) in 1940, the locomotive was renumbered No. 580 and served in passenger service before being retired in 1950. The locomotive is currently owned and operated by the Reading, Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (BM&N), based out of Port Clinton, Pennsylvania in excursion service. At the end of 2022, No. 425 was taken out of service for its mandatory Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 1,472-day inspection and overhaul.