The Black River and Western Railroad, which also hauls freight, hosts 90-minute passenger excursions (operated by the nonprofit Black River Railroad Historical Trust) over a short segment of the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Flemington Branch between Flemington and Ringoes, and the shorter Browne Station local from Ringoes over 2.5 miles of recently reopened track.
Choices
In addition to standard excursions offered on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, various family-friendly special trains are offered at other times of year on the Black River and Western Railroad. These include the Easter Bunny Express, Railfest, Pumpkin Junction Express Train, Trick or Treat Express, the Santa Express, and the North Pole Express. Summer excursions board at both Ringoes and Flemington, while most theme trains board at Flemington only. Many special-event trains and many summer excursions run with ex-Great Western Railway 2-8-0 No. 60, the balance with diesels.
When to go
Each season on the BR&W has its own charm. For a special treat, catch the occasional mixed train behind No. 60 to Browne Station with photo stops.
Good to know
Flemington is a mixture of quaint and commercial. At Ringoes, a Jersey Central baggage car houses a display of railroad artifacts and a model railroad.
Worth doing
Northlandz, an extraordinary model railroad rich in spectacle, is located in Flemington. With 8 actual miles of track, dozens of trains moving at once, and 35-foot-tall model mountains, it’s acres of whimsical fun.
Don’t miss
Just across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania is the New Hope Railroad, which makes it easy to ride two excursion trains on the same day. Almost as close is the Delaware River Railroad in Phillipsburg, N.J.
Getting there
Flemington is roughly 35 miles from Philadelphia and 50 miles from New York City. Ringoes is about 15 miles farther from each city. Both Ringoes and Flemington are located just off Route 202.
Location: 80 Stangl Road, Flemington; 101 John Ringo Road, Ringoes
Phone: 908-782-6622
Website: blackriverrailroad.com
E-mail: info@blackriverrailroad.com
