| By: | Bob Krug |
| Dates: | 6/20/1987 - 6/20/1987 |
| Album Info: | The Borough of Souderton, PA celebrated its centennial on the weekend of June 20-21, 1987 by offering a steam-powered excursion on the former North Penn Branch of the Reading Company up to Quakertown and back. Motive power was Blue Mt & Reading's Baldwin 4-6-2, Locomotive #425 on the north end of the passenger consist, and Reading GP-30 #5513 in Reading Company green and yellow livery on the south end of the train. The train operated with locomotives at each end because there were no turning /passing facilities at either Souderton or Quakertown. Coaches were from the BM&R. One of the highlights of the trip was a transit through Perkasie Tunnel - 2150 feet long through a height of land locally called Pennridge. We rode the first train of the day on Saturday, and chased the second. I have saved the promo brochure / ticket ordering form from the event, and that is included here. This was "rare" mileage for a railfan back then - Septa commuter service to Q-town had ended back in the 70's. The special was dubbed the "Black Diamond Express". |
