RCT&HS MP&RE

As recent posts on the new storage building would suggest, much of the restoration work has been on hold as we've been focused on finishing that building. Related tasks that fall to us include: Downspout drains (trenching and piping), chain link fencing between the footers to discourage the groundhogs. back filling around the building, temporary sills for the overhead doors to land on, a mast for the power feed into the building, and general excavation. Once all that's done, and the electrical contractor wires the building, we'll be set for the winter. Winter weather however tends to stop just about everything when it comes to an outdoor collection. A such, we'll be looking for inside work until Spring. Until then, Happy Holidays everyone.

Anthracite Coal was the lifeblood of the Philadelphia and Reading as well as successor the Reading Company. This gorgeous gate at the Miners National Bank building in Pottsville depicts 6 miners doing various tasks.

Our historical namesake.The Motive Power and Rolling Equipment Department of the Reading Company.

Another visit to the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum today. Pioneer workers were putting the finishing touches on our new building. Overhead doors coming next week. Final pour of concrete today for encapsulating the footer posts. I am impressed with how fast our building is being completed.

Went by the museum today. Amazing progress. We have half a roof this morning. Just a little too wet to roof the other side. Better safe than sorry. Door openings being prepared. Hopefully doors and operators go up on Friday.

The exterior side wall is now in place. We still have to finish the rear cab door attachment and to get the window re-installed. In a few places, body filler is called for. Very nice work Mr. Crabtree.

From our historical namesake. The Motive Power and Rolling Equipment Department of the Reading Company.

A beautiful day for working at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. Work continues on Reading GP30 5513. We got several pieces of outer skin installed. We will be water tight soon. It was good to hear Reading GP39-2 3412 running in the background. The guys were checking over everything. I have to admit to jumping once when they sounded the air horn. All in all a great day with temperature and humidity just right for working with the welding.

The 5513 is a special part of the RCT&HS collection, and one we'd like to see running again. It went out of service in the 1990's due to a faulty turbo. Work had started at some point on removing the turbo for rebuild, but then ceased. The current MP&RE crew has restarted the turbo work and the turbo was pulled in late 2017. Work continues with the goal of eventually returning this unit to service. The 5513 will then become a key work horse for museum shifting operations. Should you wish to help see this effort succeed, either through your donations or your direct efforts, please do. For any donations be sure to note the funds should go to the GP30 #5513.

Reading GP30 5513. Another productive day at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. Finished welding up the new cab frame work. Installed the first new piece of outer shell. Smeared on a little primer and it's looking good. The gray around the edges is a special weld thru primer so I can attach the adjacent pieces without removing paint.

Our MU 9111 late in life serving under Septa in 1986.

Well on the way to replacing the decayed framework. We still have the lower window framing and the sash track support, then it's on to new sheet metal on the exterior.

From our historical namesake.The Motive Power and Rolling Equipment Department of the Reading Company.

Work continues on GP30 #5513. Both battery boxes have been entirely rebuilt. Just need some special coatings prior to installing the batteries.

GP30. 5513 continues to get improvements. Both battery boxes have been entirely rebuilt. Ready for some special coating for the metal prior to installing batteries. Moving on to more body work.

Brand new Reading EPa class mu power car showing the horns in their original orientation.