07/02/2026
⚫ When the black smoke starts rolling, you know something special is coming.
From high above Laurel Run, the legendary Reading Blue Mountain & Northern No. 2102 digs in and powers its way out of Wilkes-Barre, leaving behind a towering plume of smoke that could be seen for miles. There’s nothing quite like watching a living piece of railroad history tackle the grade through Northeast Pennsylvania.
What makes this even more remarkable is that, over the past few weeks, we’ve had the rare privilege of witnessing two of America’s most iconic steam locomotives right here in our own backyard. From Union Pacific’s massive Big Boy 4014 on its nationwide journey celebrating America’s upcoming 250th birthday, to the hometown pride of No. 2102, railfans across the country would have traveled hundreds—or even thousands—of miles for an opportunity like this.
Sometimes history doesn’t just pass through—it shakes the ground beneath your feet.
📸 Captured from above by Rutledge Skyworks, preserving a moment where engineering, history, and the beauty of Northeast Pennsylvania came together in one unforgettable scene. 🚂🇺🇸