On May 17, the railroad is operating a series of sold out public excursions between Flemington and Ringoes, N.J. Passengers pay 1965 prices and will receive souvenir tickets, reproduced from the original 1965 tickets, for these trips.
The Black River & Western Railroad was conceived by a group of friends with an interest in steam railroading in Chester in the early 1960s. The group acquired a collection of historic railroad equipment and moved it to Flemington. A lease with the Pennsylvania Railroad permitted the newly formed railroad to operate passenger trains over the Flemington Branch on weekends, while PRR freight service continued during the week. The railroad grew and eventually purchased the line, becoming a common carrier railroad. Freight trains serve local businesses in Three Bridges, Flemington, and Ringoes.
Passenger service on the BR&W today is managed by the Black River Railroad Historical Trust Inc. a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving local railroad history and providing opportunities for the public to learn about the railroad’s role in local communities.
Restoration projects undertaken by the Trust include restoration of Central Railroad of New Jersey Coach No. 1009, and rehabilitation of Black River & Western Railroad’s Alexauken Division between Ringoes and Lambertville. The line was constructed in 1854 and last saw active service in 1997. The trust is also working on improvements to the Ringoes Station.
For more information, go to www.blackriverrailroad.com.
I'm glad to hear they're working on restoring the line to Lambertville. That was my favorite part of the railroad. In the 1980s and 90s they ran diesel powered trains (RS-1 or CF-7, later Geeps) between Ringoes and Lambertville. Then for a while they used a privately owned PRR gas-electric. I really miss that old gal. #60 handled the Ringoes-Flemington trains.
Other operations that have reached, or are very close to, the 50-year mark:
Durango & Silverton (started under D&RGW)
Wilmington & Western RR (next year)
Midwest Central, Iowa
Branford Trolley/Electric Ry.
Seashore Trolley Museum
Edaville RR (in a sense)
White Mountain Central, NH
Mt. Washington Cog Ry.
Pine Creek RR, NJ
Arcade & Attica
Tweetsie, NC
Pioneer Coal Mine & Tunnel, Ashland, Pa.
Wanamaker, Kempton & Southern
Railways To Yesteryear/Rockhill Trolley Museum
New Hope & Ivyland
the aforementioned Strasburg RR
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Arden
Black Hills Central
Tennessee Valley RR Museum
Cass Scenic RR
And a few museums–B&O, Canadian, Illinois Ry., National Ry. Museum in Green Bay, Travel Town L.A., St. Louis, etc.
I think the Roaring Camp & Big Trees is approaching its golden anniversary. It's a dim recollection but I think it was being assembled in 1961 or '62.in the Redwoods north of Santa Cruz…..
Picture Charlie Ward twenty-something, hostllng, (I was called to be his helper),, sitting on the Watsonville Jct sandhouse's 'steps,,guitar in his hands, strumming chords repeatedly and singing "up the magic mountain" and asking everyyone if they'd heard it.
He'd heard a bit of Pete, Paul and Mary's new song about the epoch of
"Puff the Magic Dragon." and he had "nailed" the melody…..
The sun faded int the ocean fog bank….'up the magic mountain….. the local's engines came home and we worked…."up the magic mountain"….."
Charlie worked with and later, I heard, for the Roaring Camp and….
Strasburg, for sure.
I wonder how many other operating tourist lines have been around for 50 years?