Woodstown Central RR Begins Excursions In Southern NJ

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Sat Nov 05, 2022 11:01 pm

In much the manner of many excursion operators over the past six decades, the Woodstown Central, an excursion project of SMS Rail Services, began operations on the former P-RSL/PRR/West Jersey & Seashore between Swedesboro and Salem, NJ, using a Baldwin S12 diesel and a lone ex-Reading caboose.

The line's own Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086610073691

Local Steve Barry's Facebook photos:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.barry.33 ... 7sDJKRqpJl

The West Jersey Chapter NRHS also has photos up at Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 4117507629

Photo by Dave Homer, WEst Jersey Chapter NRHS Facebook page

superheater · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:54 pm **Posts:** 2605

Hah.

Item 11 on the bucket list: Ride behind a Baldwin diesel.

NJDixon · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:36 pm **Posts:** 363

Pretty fitting that they're hauling passengers with Baldwin diesels on ex-PRSL rails. I believe this is also where they will be running 0-6-0 #9 once they finish putting it back together.

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 484

Just curious-in this photo, does anyone know if the train was moving? Seeing a mom with youngster in one arm...
Asking, not judging.

EJ Berry · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2022 12:06 am

I think it's a prelude to using Army 0-6-0 9 and real passenger cars.

Besides, how many places can you ride behind a steam engine? Now, how many places can you ride behind a Baldwin shifter?

Note: PRSL diesels were all-Baldwin until GP38's arrived.

Phil Mulligan

Thomas Cornillie · **Joined:** Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:19 pm **Posts:** 272

The boom-trailer (CR 45509) that is about to be scrapped at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum would make good open car for this operation. A unique and useful features are the passenger steps and that one end has a full height buffers to couple to conventional passenger cars. While one wouldn't want to make an irreversible conversion to an otherwise complete passenger car, reusing CR 45509 would preserve a car in its historic configuration.

A photo of the car may be viewed here: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1656619 and http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2130974

The scrapping effort is discussed here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47006

A press release with direct contact information is available here:

https://www.railroadcity.org/uploads/1/ ... elease.pdf

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:17 pm

My understanding is that SMS has already secured several passenger cars--I think from the Iowa Pacific liquidation.

K.R. Bell · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 7:37 pm **Posts:** 298

SMS now has 6 ex-DL&W m.u. trailer coaches, 6 ex-CNJ steel coaches, the ex-Everett No. 912 private car, the Pullman "Cumberland Club," B&O "Capitol City" and the sole remaining ex-BR&P coach. Only one of the CNJ coaches is being renovated at present.

K.R. Bell

Les Beckman · **Joined:** Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm **Posts:** 6482

Thomas Cornillie wrote:

The boom-trailer (CR 45509) that is about to be scrapped at the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum would make good open car for this operation. A unique and useful feature are the passenger steps and that one end has a full height buffers to couple to conventional passenger cars. While one wouldn't want to make an irreversible conversion to an otherwise complete passenger car, reusing CR 45509 would preserve a car in its historic configuration.

A photo of the car may be viewed here: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=1656619 and http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=2130974

Thomas -

Agree that CR # 45509 should be saved. Could be used in passenger service as an open car as you suggest, but also as a boom car for a museum that might have a crane but no suitable companion car. Hate to see it scrapped, but I notice that it was not on the Deaccession List so perhaps it's being kept? By any chance, is its heritage known?

Les

Thomas Cornillie · **Joined:** Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:19 pm **Posts:** 272

The heritage of the crane was previously discussed here:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37121&start=15

This would make an excellent car for HVRM's operation with its Indiana connections.

The press release states that both the crane and the boom car are to be scrapped: https://www.railroadcity.org/uploads/1/ ... elease.pdf

A photo of a very similar boom car in Penn Central paint may be found here: https://www.pbase.com/espeef5/image/38993347