Central Railroad of New Jersey locomotive number 113 has been undergoing a full restoration for the past three years. Under the work of Robert Carlson, along with project volunteers, many hours of intensive labor have been spent on the locomotive boiler. The locomotive was torn down and prepared for ultrasonic testing which was completed. Engineering work is ongoing to bring the locomotive into compliance with current federal rules. All flexible staybolts, sleeves and caps have been removed and will be renewed with new ones from Nortwhest Staybolt Company which are on site. Five and one half inch boiler flues have been purchased from a mill in Germany and were shipped to TVRM for swaging. The planned work for this spring is to weld new flexible staybolt sleeves in place and install the new bolts and caps. Planned firebox work will include side and door sheet patches and re-riveting the mud ring. The project is happy with the dedicated effort of Mr. Carlson and the volunteers. More updates will be forthcoming.

This would interesting to experience- especially if you can find a real CNJ whistle and bell.

We have the original bell. It took quite a bit of tracing but it was located and for a while it was back on the locomotive. We are looking for an original CNJ three chime step top whistle but haven't located one for sale. We know of one and may borrow it if it is still available at the time of steam up.

I've heard the big Pacifics had steamboat whistles, but what did the basic CNJ engine have? Were there different whistles for shifters, freight and passenger as on the Reading?

I'm going on some really fuzzy memories... but didn't Earle Gil (founder of the old Morris County Central steam tourist railroad) get some mechanical parts and/or "jewelry" from this locomotive during the early 1960's when it was at the Locust Summit breaker? I swear I remember seeing a rectangular "113" number plate and a step-top whistle (that I thought was from this engine) in the old MCC RR museum (housed in the M&E freight house at Whippany, NJ--now the location of the Whippany Railway Museum). I thought some of the mechanical parts went into Mr. Gil's overhaul of ex-Southern 2-8-0 385 around 'bout 1963 (??). I know the engine looked pretty much stripped when it came to the Wilmington & Western RR. Hopefully if there are any parts / jewelry from this engine out there, they can be reunited with the locomotive.

Anyway, good luck with the restoration. 113 is an impressive machine; she is one BIG 0-6-0! And for devotees of "hard rock" motive power, she's a Wotten firebox engine.

I couldn't find an in-service photo of CNJ 113 online, but did find one of her sister, 112 over on northeast rails site (see below link).

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cnj/cnj-s112.jpg

Regards,
Jim Robinson

We are not CNJ whistle experts and only by studying photos can one somewhat determine which locomotive had what type of whistle. By this means we feel the 113 had a steptop whistle with a horizontal valve. We feel the the length of the flues to the languid plate were about 12", 10", and 8".

From different sources and not from personal experience we have heard that some of the whistles got switched around and some of the 0-6-0 camelbacks ended up with long bell "steamboat" whistles.

Some of the "jewelry" mentioned in the MCC Museum has been returned to the 113. The original number plate and headlight were traded for the original 111 plate and various new plates for the 4039. There was no mention of a steptop whistle. The 385 has 113's injectors, seatboxes, maybe the lubricator and some incendental parts. 113's compressor and power reverse were supposedly scrapped in Newfoundland when the place was cleaned up.

We have obtained a power reverse gear, air compressor, and the original throttle arm from other sources and collections. We are still looking for one or more 10.5 sellers lifting injectors.

Anyone have photos of the 113 at the breaker? In service or derelict, or both?

This is all such great news. I am a fan of anthracite steam and as a memebr of W&W I went up to Locust Summit back 20 years ago to help prepare her for shippment down to Wilmington. She always looked a bit rough but not unfixable. Do you allow visitors with small cash donations to visit the restoration site?

It would certainly be nice to see Anthracite RR steam running again, strange its CNJ but why not? Sounds like the 113 will steam before RDG 1187, should the 1187 project progress that far.

Joshua

The restoration site is outdoors and easily accessable. Restoration crews may not always be working, especially in the cold weather. Small donations are always welcome. Care should be exercised around olde stuff.

Photos of CNJ 113 at the breaker can be found in the following books:

Mike Eagelson's CNJ Motive Power Book

Mike Eagelson's Steam on the Anthracite Roads

Morning Sun's Color book on CNJ steam power

Paul Carleton's The Jersey Central Story--A Locomotive History 1992 P. 74