The Everett Railroad has completed restoration of former Central Railroad of New Jersey coach 1194. The project took place at the company’s Duncansville, PA, shop over the course of two and a half years. The 1194 was acquired from Jerry Jo Jacobson in 2008. Repairs were made under the supervision of Jason Lamb, general manager, and Mike Fink, shop supervisor.

Work included complete replacement of the lower 6” of the roof, fabricating and welding new window sills, window post covers, drip edge, ventilators, steps, traps and doors. Several sections of floor had to be completely replaced including steel substrate. Interior inlaid mahogany was salvaged, stripped, repaired and varnished where possible and supplemented with new mahogany millwork. New oak tongue and groove paneling was custom milled and installed below the window line following the installation of new backer boards and brackets. All window sash is shop made new, with hardware supplied by the Strasburg Rail Road. Seat frames were salvaged from other cars, sandblasted and painted. All seats were repaired as necessary and received new upholstery. Following the example of the Valley Railroad at Essex, CT, ceiling panels are formed from aluminum sheet.

The car was completely rewired and is equipped with LED lighting and speakers for the PA system. Ceiling ductwork was reinstalled to facilitate air conditioning if desired at a future date. The 1194 remains steam heated but the interior pipe runs were scrapped and replaced with new style fin-type baseboard radiators. UC brake equipment was removed and the brakes converted to freight-type valves. Trucks were removed, cleaned, inspected and all worn components repaired or replaced.

Sandblast and prime was done at Curry Rail Service. Following additional body work in our shop, the 1194 was painted and lettered by Jeff Connor of Railcar & Military Equipment Painting.

The principle remaining work is to finish installation of the restroom facilities.

Coach 1194 was built in 1927 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Harlan plant in Wilmington, DE. It was one of 267 standard clerestory roof commuter coaches acquired by the Central Railroad of New Jersey between the years 1922 and 1927. As built the car had a capacity for 72 people and was finished with a mahogany interior. Sometime in the 1950's the 1194's coach seats were removed and it was converted to a commuter club car, named "Jersey Shore", and fitted with lounge seats and equipped with sealed windows and air conditioning. The Everett Railroad owns five additional CNJ cars and the experienced gained on this project will prove invaluable on future restorations.

Alan Maples
Everett Railroad
http://www.everettrailroad.com

Great job! EPort car shops would had been impressed with the quality of the work. What are the numbers of the other CNJ cars on the Everett?

That's an astounding finished product you have there! I think we're all waiting with excitement to see the other five turn out just as nice, and of course have the opportunity to ride them behind #11.

I'm betting EPort would have spent a lot less than we did.

The remaining CNJ's: 997 (next in shop), 1007, 1183, 1198, 1201.

Congratulations Alan to you and your team for a job VERY well done. The CRRofNJ was my Dad's railroad and I grew up from age 6 to 14 as a nearly full time mascot in the Cranford NJ roundhouse.

These CNJ coaches make by far the best tourist railway coaches and the one you just finished is a prime example of that.

Please keep up the good work.

Merry Christmas, Ross Rowland

BEEEYOOOOOOTIFUL!!!!!

Really great!

Another Everett Class Act ...

I don't usually post a response to these, but that is an incredible transformation. Well done!

Chris

I'm betting EPort's labor and material costs were much less back then.

So there's ductwork in place in case you guys decide to add air conditioning? Nice touch... Makes me wonder what you'd use for the equipment though. Is there any standards for equipment on older cars like this, or do you just use commercial-grade stuff that's available off the shelf and make it work?

Congratulations Mr. Maples and the Everett Railroad for another outstanding restoration!
My wife and I have been impressed with each ride on the Everett over the past three years. We are looking forward to seeing and riding in the beautiful new addition to the Everett train!

Before anyone else is confused, the "Jersey Shore Commuter Club" has had several cars with that name over the years, including the famous PRR-painted P70 1734 that ran behind PRR GG1 4877 on the "Farewell to the GG1" runs in 1987, and, more recently, a NJ Transit Comet II car that was apparently retired in 2013 (and the club apparently dissolved as a result) after Hurricane Sandy inundation damage. Special "club" status was also conferred upon CNJ 1201 at one time.......

PRR 1734: Last update I have on her was being offered up as surplus by URHS-NJ in 2010.......

The second beautiful refurb posted in one week. Nice!

Beautiful work! You guys are going to get a reputation for being the Strasburg of steel coaches!