Broadway Limited - 8243 Reading 2102 T1 Loco (DC), N Scale

This N Scale Stealth Series RDG Class T1 4-8-4 from Broadway Limited is based on the powerful 4-8-4 steam locomotives unique to the Reading. As WWII was drawing to a close in 1945, the Reading Railroad examined their existing roster of motive power and realized they did not own any of the super-power steam locomotives that most other railroads owned and operated. The decision to obtain some of these locomotives was paramount, but with wartime restrictions still in place, the Reading had to look to their existing fleet for conversion. The I10-sa Class 2-10-0 locomotive fit the bill, and Reading started the in-house conversion of 30 of these I10 locomotives to the new class T-1 Northern.
 
The new T-1's entered service between 1945 and 1947 and were used primarily in fast freight service. Their operating territory included most of the Reading system, and they were also used in pool service with the Western Maryland Railway. The first 20 units were equipped for freight service. The last 10 were equipped for passenger service, but still primarily used for freight service.
 
The Reading T-1's did not last long in service. All 30 were in storage by 1954, with a few returning briefly in 1955 due to a surge in traffic. Most were sold or permanently retired and scrapped by 1958. The Reading Railroad kept four of the T-1's for an excursion service that they called the Iron Horse Rambles. The plans were for 2100 and 2124 to pull the excursion trains, and they would keep 2101 as a back-up and 2123 as a source of parts. 2123 was scrapped in 1966, and 2124 was replaced by the recently purchased 2102 in 1962. The Iron Horse Ramble excursions last until 1964, and the remaining locomotives were sold in 1965. Several of these locomotives are operable or under restoration in the 2020s.

This Stealth Series no-sound/DCC-ready model operates on DC out of the box, or a modeler can easily install their DCC decoder of choice. Out of the box, front and rear lights are directional, and other lights are always ON with track power. Additionally some lighting functions may be missing depending on selected aftermarket decoder the modeler installs. This model includes an NEXT18 18-pin decoder socket so you can add your favorite DCC or sound decoder when you're ready. It also features a built-in speaker so you won't have to add one later. Other features include a heavy die cast chassis and select roadname-specific details. Its wheels are profiled to operate on Code 55 and larger rail and curves of 9-3/4" radius but larger curves are recommended.