Black River and Western Railroad explained

Railroad Name:Black River and Western Railroad
Logo Filename:BRWlogo19652015.jpg
Marks:BRW
Locale:Hunterdon County, New Jersey, U.S.
Start Year:Chester: 1961–1962, Ringoes: 1965
End Year:present
Predecessor Line:Pennsylvania Railroad
Central Railroad of New Jersey
Electrification:No
Length:16miles
Hq City:Ringoes, New Jersey, U.S.
Website:blackriverrailroad.combrwrr.com

The Black River and Western Railroad is a freight and heritage railroad operating in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, between Flemington, Lambertville and Ringoes. The railroad operates vintage steam and diesel powered locomotives.[1] [2]

History

The Black River & Western Railroad (BR&W) was started by William Whitehead in Oldwick, New Jersey, in the late 1950s. A portion of the defunctRockaway Valley Railroad went through his back yard. He and his sons started collecting rolling stock and an engine (Lackawanna #565). They started laying tracks but then the expansion of I-78 halted their dream of building a railroad at that location. They moved their equipment to the Chester Branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ) with the hope of starting a railroad there.

BR&W was officially incorporated in 1961. The railroad's name is derived from the Black River, a river near Chester and the original name of the borough. The "and Western" is standard railroad nomenclature. Following a brief stint of test operations on CNJ's Chester Branch, equipment was moved to Flemington, New Jersey in 1963 and the search for a place to start their tourist train was continued. A leasing arrangement was created with the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) that allowed a tourist train to operate from Flemington to Lambertville on the original Belvidere-Delaware Railroad (PRR Belvidere Division) Flemington Branch (originally the Flemington Railroad & Transportation Company) in 1964. BR&W paid $5,000 a year and rehabilitated the railroad (PRR operated freight service on the line during this period). Steam engine #60 pulled the first trip out of Flemington on May 16, 1965. Weekend and holiday schedules were devised.

BR&W assumed ownership and operations of the Flemington Branch from the CNJ connection in Flemington to Flemington Branch Junction in Lambertville on March 16, 1970, purchasing it from PRR successor Penn Central (PC). With the acquisition of the rail line and its freight operations, on top of the existing tourist passenger service, a true shortline railroad was born. Base operations were established in Ringoes, New Jersey, and remain so today. Freight interchange after the 1970 purchase was made with PC at Lambertville and CNJ in Flemington. PC filed for bankruptcy that June.

PC continued to operate freight under bankruptcy protection until April 1, 1976 when Conrail (CR) assumed operations (the last PC freight train to operate on the Belvidere Division was on March 31, 1976). BR&W then purchased three miles of trackage in the Lambertville area that was part of the Belvidere Division mainline on March 31, 1976 before Conrail took over. BR&W also purchased the Flemington-Three Bridges portion from the bankrupt CNJ. Although coal, iron ore and general freights were rerouted to other lines such as the North Penn Branch, CR continued operating smaller interchange freight trains to Lambertville. In March 1977, a new interchange was built at Three Bridges, New Jersey with the former Lehigh Valley Railroad (LV) mainline.

Freight service to Lambertville ended by 1995 with tourist operations ceasing by the end of 1998, when the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) prohibited operations south of Ringoes due to poor track conditions. There was talk in 1999 of Trap Rock Industries quarry using the stub-ended section north of Lambertville for unit stone trains, resulting in a frenzy of track repairs taking place on the Ringoes-Lambertville segment to accommodate the anticipated traffic. The quarry ultimately backed out with the final work train operating in June 2002 to retrieve all remaining rolling stock.

Black River Railroad Historic Trust formed

In 2001, a separate non-profit entity known as the Black River Railroad Historic Trust (BRRHT),[3] [4] was formed to take over the tourist trains on the line. BRRHT does not own most of the passenger cars and until 2011, fees had to be paid to the BR&W for their use. BRRHT owns one diesel locomotive switcher, an SW9 numbered 438. It currently leases some coaches from the railroad and has use of several locomotives.

In 2014 the BRRHT started to clear the line between Ringos and Lambertville for passenger trains. In 2016 the first passenger train went down the first mile of the newly restored line in almost 20 years. In 2017 the BRRHT restored the first 2.5 miles of the line which is where Bowne Road Station is and Black River have been doing special events. In 2019 the BRRHT opened a further 1 mile towards Mount Airy Road.

Recent history

In 2014, BRRHT announced that it was looking to reinstate service along the dormant Ringoes-Lambertville section now called the Alexauken Division.[5] In May 2017, the first two and a half miles was re-introduced to passenger service. The in-service track reached Bowne Station, just over 4 miles north of Lambertville. Bowne Station included a picnic grove co-constructed with Woodsedge Farm and the railroad. Special picnic and farm trains were scheduled year for this new portion of the line, along with an evening departure from Ringoes every Saturday and Sunday that special events did not operate.[6] Sadly, in 2021, the remains of Hurricane Ida caused disastrous flooding that washed out portions of the restored trackage. In addition, an entre section of embankment was destroyed near Lambertville.

Stations

StationStatusImageHistory
Three BridgesFreight only stationThree Bridges was a former station on the Central Railroad of New Jersey's South Branch. The South Branch ran from a wye at Somerville, NJ station to Flemington. While there is no actual station and passenger service does not go this far, Three Bridges is where the BR&W interchanges with Norfolk Southern. Today a small shed stands across the track from where the station did. Last BRW passenger train to Three Bridges ran in 2016.
Flemington (Main Street)Station building utilized by local bankFlemington was the former terminus station of the Central Railroad of New Jersey's South Branch in Flemington, New Jersey. Service at the station began on July 1, 1864 and passenger service was discontinued on April 25, 1953.
Flemington (PRR)Station building currently used for retail space Originally used by the Pennsylvania Railroad, then when the BR&W came, they put a small shack not too far from the PRR Station. Then in the 1970s, the shack was removed and replaced by wooden car #101; and was used until it was burned in 1991. The station on the line marked the terminus to the Flemington Branch.
Flemington (Liberty Village)Served by BRWWhen nearby Liberty Village was being remodeled, Black River & Western sold off the original PRR station and per agreement, Liberty Village built them a new station closer to Route 12. Historically, the Pennsylvania Railroad interchanged with the Central Railroad of New Jersey just north of this station.
Copper HillOriginally small station. Only siding remains.Copper Hill was a small combination freight and passenger station, with a siding for loading produce from local farms. The area was named Copper Hill due to copper ore deposits found nearby, although the name is also thought to come from copperhead snakes that were found in the area. Siding is going to be used to allow trains to pass each other starting june 2022.
Hog TownAbandonedHog Town is a small shack and was built around 1970 by the BR&W as part of their Great Train Robberies. In the off-season, the station was occupied by "The Mayor of Hogtown", who used to persuade passengers to vote for him as mayor (as part of a gag). The area got its name due to the nearby, and now demolished, home that raised hogs. The station is located next to the abandoned Hunterdon Concrete facility.
Five Birds Farm (formerly Muirhead)Originally flagstopOnce part of the village of Muirhead (now gone), Muirhead was an early station for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The station closed in the 1920s. The station was moved a few hundred yards east and has been converted to event space, it is now owned by Five Birds Farm. The original site is used as a stop for the farm which works with the railroad to host modern events curated by nature, and has been renamed "Five Birds Farm".
Pumpkin JunctionServed by BRWPumpkin Junction is a farm station along the line constructed in 2008. The stop is used in October as part of the railroad's Pumpkin Trains.
RingoesServed by BRWRingoes was a former Pennsylvania Railroad station on their Flemington branch. Ringoes is the main yard and headquarters of the Black River and Western Railroad.
Boss Rd.Originally flagstopA flagstop during the PRR era of the branch line. Closed 1931, gone.
BowneServed by BRWThe original Bowne station was located south of the Bowne Station Rd. bridge. It was moved in the early 1930s north of the bridge near a home and has been converted into a shed. Today, the Black River Railroad Historical Trust has created a picnic grove where the station originally sat south of the bridge. This station can only be accessed by rail.
Mount AiryOriginally flagstopA flagstop during the PRR era of the branch line. Closed 1931, gone. In the area where current active track ends.
AlexaukenOriginally flagstopA flagstop during the PRR era of the branch line. Closed 1931, gone.
LambertvilleOut-Of-Service. Building currently Lambertville Station Inn & Restaurant.Just south of the junction between the Bel-Del mainline and the Flemington Branch, Lambertville serves as the southernmost station along the BR&W. The last train to depart the station was in December 1998. Black River & Western had plans to be back in Lambertville sometime in the early 2020s, as part of their Alexauken Division project.

Roster

The Black River & Western's fleet of locomotives are divided up into two categories: Locomotives used on the Flemington Branch, and locomotives used by the Black River Railroad System (a primarily freight but also leasing company).Equipment in italics is owned by the BRRHT.

Black River & Western Locomotives - engines that are on the Flemington branch almost all the time

Locomotive details[7] !Number!Heritage!Model!Status!Image!Location
60Great Western Railway of Colorado2-8-0Under overhaulIn service on the Flemington Branch. Only steam locomotive on the Flemington Branch.
112Lehigh Valley RailroadSW1OperationalOwned by LVRX, restored 2010, painted as BR&W #400 in 2015 for 50th anniversary. In service on the Flemington Branch.
438Erie RailroadEMD SW9OperationalOwned by BRRHT, acquired from the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey in 2014, in service on the Flemington Branch. Ex-Reading & Northern.
2006DRRVGP38-2OperationalAssigned to BR&W Flemington Branch. Used for freight service.
9206Pennsylvania RailroadSW1OperationalOwned by LVRX, in service on Flemington Branch.

Black River Railroad Locomotives - engines that come and go on the Flemington Branch

NumberHeritageModelStatusImageLocation
752Northern Pacific RailwayEMD GP9OperationalIn service on flemington branch. Ringoes.
811Nickel Plate RoadEMD GP9OperationalAssigned to Belvidere & Delaware River Rwy. Lettered for Black River & Western, however used for Delaware River Railroad excursions.
908LVSW900Out of serviceLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Newport News, Virginia, stored out of service.
909Portland Power PlantSW9OperationalFormerly numbered #9009.
915Winchester and Western Railroad (WW)SW900Out of serviceStored out of service in Ringoes. Ex-Wilmington & Western Railroad
1202New York, New Haven & Hartford RailroadSW1200OperationalAssigned to Maryland & Delaware Railroad.
1206Canadian National RailwaySW1200RSOperationalLeased in West Virginia.
1259Canadian Pacific Railway (CP)SW1200RSOperationalLeased in Morrisville, Pennsylvania.
1539Pittsburgh & Lake Erie RailroadSW1500OperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Newport News, Virginia.
1567Penn Central (PC)SW1500Out of serviceStored out of service in Ringoes.
1823New York Central Railroad (NYC)GP10OperationalAssigned to Maryland & Delaware Railroad, briefly leased from Winchester & Western Railroad in the late 1990s. Formerly numbered #732.
1849Northern Pacific RailwayGP9OperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.
1850Chesapeake & Ohio RailwayGP9OperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.
1853Texas Mexican RailwayGP9Out of serviceShopped in Tennessee, stored out of service.
1854Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR)GP8OperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania.
1856NYCGP10StoredStored in Ringoes.
1858Grand Trunk Western RailroadGP9uOperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Newport News, Virginia.
1888CPGP9uOperationalAssigned to BR&W freight operations.
1889CPGP9uOperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Newport News, Virginia.
8142CPSW1200RSOperationalLeased in Pennsylvania.
9581Norfolk Southern RailwaySD9mOperationalLeased to Kinder-Morgan, Newport News, Virginia.

In Service Passenger Equipment

Rolling stock details!Number!Heritage!Status!Image!Notes
297CNJIn ServiceCombine. Acquired in 1967 from CNJ. First in service 1968 (just restored).[8] [9]
322CNJIn ServiceBar car built from coach. Used for First Class Service. Acquired in 1967 from CNJ, originally CNJ 1186. First in service 1968. Named John L. Bishop (just restored).
605DL&WIn ServiceAcquired from EL in 1972, originally DL&W 605, renumbered to 305 in 1972. First in service 1972. Out of service in 1999. Restored by the BRRHT and returned to service for North Pole Express service in 2018[10] , renumbering back to 605. This car was damaged in the 1917 Kingsland explosion.
1009CNJIn ServiceOwned by BRRHT, acquired in 2005 from Steamtown. Restoration completed in May 2015.[11]

Out of Service Passenger Equipment

NumberHeritageStatusImageNotes
5GM&OOut Of ServiceBusiness Car, Privately owned.
585DL&WOut Of Service, Under RestorationAcquired from EL in 1972, originally DL&W 585. First in service 1972. Open-Air Car built from Coach. Out of service in 1997–98. Undergoing restoration by the BRRHT.
302DL&WOut Of ServiceAcquired from EL in 1972. Converted to open air car, out of service by 1999.
303DL&WOut Of ServiceAcquired from EL in 1972, originally DL&W 608. First in service 1972. Out of service by 1999.
304DL&WOut Of ServiceAcquired from EL in 1972, originally DL&W 606. First in service 1972. Out of service by 1999.
319New Jersey Transit, ex GNMOWFrom NJT. Originally assigned to the Empire Builder as Great Northern 1223.[12] [13]
320New Jersey Transit, ex GNMOWFrom NJT. Originally assigned to the Empire Builder as Great Northern 1229.
491Canadian NationalOut Of ServiceAcquired early 1990s, in service by 1993. Used as aux coach. Originally numbered 4991. Retains black window stripe hinting at its CN heritage, CN Number (4991) showing through on east side. Last passenger run 2019, currently out of service.
1318CNJOut Of ServiceRemains in Lambertville, NJ. Round Roof CNJ Coach. Acquired from NJ Transit in 1984.
1362USATOut Of ServiceUsed as storage
1369USATOut Of ServiceUsed as storage

Passenger Equipment on Display

NumberHeritageStatusImageNotes
420CNJOut Of ServiceUsed as museum car at Ringoes station, owned by the BRRHT.
494Canadian NationalOut Of ServiceAcquired early 1990s, in service by 1993. Originally numbered 4988. Last train was the Easter bunny express of 2015. Out of service 2015. Was lettered for BDRV until 2016. On display in Ringoes station and used for Christmas events in the station.
17112USATOut Of ServicePrivately owned, display
8424New York CentralOut Of ServiceOwned by BRRHT, Used as a workshop for restoration projects.
"Chenango"PRROut Of ServicePrivately owned, Residential, Originally named "Herald Square," painted in NYO&W livery.

Freight Equipment

NumberHeritageTypeImageNotes
103SouthernBox CarStored, Ringoes Yard
111CRBox CarStored, Three Bridges Yard
304CRBallast HopperStored, Three Bridges Yard
308CRBallast HopperFlemington Branch
309CRBallast HopperFlemington Branch
310CRBallast HopperFlemington Branch
601LVBox CarStored, Ringoes Yard
15555CROre CarOwned by LVRX, Painted in PRR, Stored, Ringoes Yard
16002LIRRCrane CarStored, Ringoes Yard
16003AmtrakFlat CarUsed with 16002, Stored, Ringoes Yard
475532?Flat CarOwned by LVRX, Painted PRR, Once used as an open air car, MOW, Flemington Branch. Stored at Copper Hill.
487052CRHopperScrapped 2022
497310PRRBox CarRounded Roof, Stored, Ringoes Yard
770506CRFlat CarStored, Ringoes Yard

In Service Cabooses

NumberHeritageImageNotes
133C&OAssigned to the Bel Del
385SOUAssigned to Dover & Rockaway River Railroad
596MMAIn service, was involved in the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster.
645MECPrivately owned, in service
2727ATSFPrivately owned, painted in Wabash livery, in service
477375PRRPrivately owned, out of service.
C-140ERIEOwned by BRRHT, in service

Out of Service Cabooses

NumberHeritageImageNotes
200RDGOut of service
595N&WOut of service
1417DRGWPrivately owned, out of service

Cabooses on Display

NumberHeritageImageNotes
24531NYCPrivately owned, display
95106LVOwned by BRRHT, named the "Who Hack," on display.

Former equipment

Former Locomotives

NumberHeritageImageModelCurrent owner
M-55Arizona Eastern RailroadDoodlebugColebrookdale Railroad. Operating.
14Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal0-6-0TUlster & Delaware Historical Society
41AT&SFCF7Scrapped 1995.
42AT&SFCF7Maryland & Delaware #2632, scrapped 2019.
50Trap RockDavenportLeased for MOW, scrapped mid 1990s.
56PRRT6Georges Creek Railway 101
57Washington Terminal CompanyRS-1Privately owned; stored on East Penn Railroad in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.
58Minneapolis & St LouisRS-1Also wore #211, Scrapped circa 1992.
148Florida East Coast4-6-2United States Sugar Corporation
currently operational in Clewiston, Florida[15]
204Minneapolis & St LouisRS-1Was #59 on paper, scrapped circa 1992.
400Broward County Port AuthoritySW-1Scrapped 2009.
400LIRR44-TonConnecticut Eastern Railroad Museum
565DL&W2-6-0Steamtown National Historic Site
780EMDGP-10Scrapped 2019 due to many issues.
782C&EIGP7Owned by Vintage Locomotives Inc., scrapped 2021.
820ERIENW-2Miller Mining Co.
1540P&LESW1500JLCX; traded for JLCX 1256 (BDRV 1206)
1554CNJRS-3Anthracite Railroads Historical Society
Leased to the Delaware-Lackawanna.
1848Bangor & AroostookGP9Winchester & Western #576
4666PRRDoodlebugPrivately owned; brought to Allentown and Auburn_Railroad in April 2016. Currently in operation as of late summer 2016.
7079U.S. Army65-TonPrivately owned, New Castle, DE

Former Leased and Other Locomotives

NumberHeritageImageModelLeased or on BR&W tracksOwnerNotes
412B&OVO-1000Late 1990s to the early 2000sSMS LinesStored on Flemington Branch
418NJTF3Late 1990s to 2015URHSleft in 2015
436ErieSW92012-2015URHSleft in 2015
475Nickel Plate RoadGP9Late 1990sWinchester and WesternWorked Bel-Del Freight
732NYCGP9Late 1990sWinchester and WesternWorked Bel-Del Freight, Bought in 2018
1523CNJGP7Mid 1990s to early 2000sURHSRestored at Ringoes and operated on the Flemington Branch
1524CNJGP7Late 90'URHSRestored at Ringoes
1712ClinchfieldGP162012Everett RailroadLeased for Bel-Del Santa Train
7000PRRGP9Late 1990sURHSRestored in Ringoes

Former Passenger Equipment

NumberHeritageImageDispositionNotes
99LIRRSold in 1983, on display in Wantagh, New York.Jamaica
100Belfast & Moosehead LakeSold to the New Hope & Ivyland railroad, scrapped in 2015 after vandalization of the car and structure collapse.Wooden Car. Baggage R.P.O. Car
101Bangor & AroostookWooden Car. Combine
102Bangor & AroostookWooden Car. Combine
103DL&WDisintegrated along the New Hope & Ivyland at Wycombe, PA, scrapped mid 1990s.[16] Wooden Car. Coach
104Philadelphia & ReadingOut of Service at the Connecticut Eastern Railway Museum.Wooden Car. Coach
105Canadian NorthernWooden Car. Business Car
106DL&WWooden Car. Office Car
301DL&WOut of service by late 1990s, scrapped 2006.[17] Steel "Boonton" Car, In service by 1972. Originally DL&W 600. Open-Air Car built from Coach.
311ErieOut of service mid 1970s, scrapped.Steel "Stillwell" Car, In service by 1966.[18] Open-Air Car built from Coach.
312ErieOut of Service in the mid 1970s, on display in Whitehouse, NJ.Steel "Stillwell" Car, In service by 1968.
313ErieOut of Service in the mid 1970s, on display in Whitehouse, NJ.Steel "Stillwell" Car, In service by 1968.
321CNJOut of Service by 2000s, scrapped 2006.Steel CNJ Coach. Acquired from CNJ in 1967, in service 1968. Original number 1135. Converted to a control car for the 4666 (Doodlebug) by early 1980s.
492Canadian NationalOut of Service by 2000s, scrapped 2006.Acquired early 1990s, in service by 1995. Originally numbered 4996. Was supposed to be BR&W 492, unknown if ever renumbered.
4907Canadian NationalTo New Hope & Ivyland by 2001.[19] Acquired early 1990s, in service by 1993. Originally numbered 4907. Was BR&W 493 on paper, never renumbered on car.
700Pennsylvania RailroadTo New York State in 1976, now part of a diner in Somerset, MA.[20] Pullman Parlor Car No. 7002 built for the PRR in 1912, was used on the Broadway Limited.
1324CNJSold to Green Mountain Railroad, remains on the Bel-Del near Holland, New Jersey.Round Roof CNJ Coach. Acquired from NJ Transit in 1984.
2004NYC, LIRRSold 1995 to New Hope & Ivyland, stored out of service in Wycombe, Pennsylvania.Syosset

Former Rolling Stock

NumberHeritageImageTypeDispositionNotes
11?Crane CarScrapped by 2017Original BR&W piece
193LIRRRotary Snow PlowSteamtown N.H.S

Former Cabooses

NumberHeritageImageDispositionNotes
1DL&WWent to Morristown and ErieCurrently at Whippany Railroad Museum
20??Was MOW
34RDGOn Display in Stroudsburg, PA
35??
474NYCSold around 2014
C-2440B&OSold 2018
01422DRGWSold 2018

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Belvidere & Delaware River . 30 September 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100625055736/http://www.bdrry.com/ . 25 June 2010 .
  2. Web site: Black River and Western Railroad . New Jersey's Great Northwestern Skylands.
  3. Web site: BLACK RIVER RAILROAD HISTORICAL TRUST INC Open990 . www.open990.org . 14 August 2021.
  4. Web site: Black River Railroad Historic Trust . HUNTERDON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE . 14 August 2021 . en.
  5. Web site: Black River & Western opening more track for Tourist Trains . www.rypn.org . Railway Preservation News . 14 August 2021.
  6. Web site: Lambertville Service . BR&W Railroad . en. 2017-07-31.
  7. Web site: Equipment Roster. Black River and Western Railroad.
  8. Web site: Black River combine 297 (CNJ) . www.rrpicturearchives.net . 14 August 2021.
  9. Web site: The Story Behind The John L Bishop. sites.google.com. 2016-01-25.
  10. Web site: Black River & Western Railroad Flemington, NJ. Black River & Western Railroad Flemington, NJ. en. 2018-11-01.
  11. Web site: Coach 1009. Black River & Western Railroad. 2016-01-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20160112185650/http://www.blackriverrailroad.com/coach-1009.html. 2016-01-12. dead.
  12. Web site: Great Northern Archive - Streamlined roster. gnarchive.com. 2017-11-02.
  13. Web site: Great Northern Empire - Then and Now. www.greatnorthernempire.net. 2017-11-02.
  14. Web site: Vogel . Bob . Mack critter . www.rrpicturearchives.net . 14 August 2021.
  15. Web site: 148 History . Sugar Express . US Sugar . 14 August 2021.
  16. Web site: Railway Preservation News • View topic - Ex Black River & Western Wood & Diner Cars. www.rypn.org. 2016-06-23.
  17. BRRHT Meeting Minutes 09-03-05
  18. Web site: Springer-East3-06-15. Flickr - Photo Sharing!. January 1966 . 2016-06-06.
  19. Web site: The Official Black River & Western RR Pages . 1999-11-09 . 2016-01-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19991109173450/http://geocities.com/Colosseum/Bleachers/5398/brw.htm . November 9, 1999 .
  20. Web site: Railway Preservation News • View topic - Ex Black River & Western Wood & Diner Cars. www.rypn.org. 2016-11-30.