A look back: Aug. 21, 1983

George Hart’s steam locomotive No. 972 was back in service in Jim Thorpe on Sunday, thrilling hundreds of tourists who enjoyed the ride in the train.

Newly overhauled, repainted and fully inspected, it bears new initials — P and R — Philadelphia and Reading — in preparation for special rail excursions out of Reading.

“The Reading Rides Again” is the theme adopted by the Historical Society of Berks County for the three trips to Pottsville, Bethlehem and Philadelphia.

Officials of the Berks organizations were in Jim Thorpe this weekend to confer with Hart, and they were tremendously impressed with the railroad rolling stock in the vicinity of the Carbon County Railroad Museum.