Want some info on the Central RR of NJ Business car on the WK&S. I have seen some pictures of her in service on the WK&S. What is the status of this car? Is it owned by the WK&S? Is it intact? Are there any plans for at least a cosmetic restoration? Do I ask to many questions?

Jeff Slupski

jeff@compucomis.net

Jeff,

Kurt Bell has been compiling some very detailed equipment rosters of some of "our area" tourist railroads. I believe his research includes the WK&S and hopefully can offer detailed info on this car.

In the meantime, I will add that this business car is former CNJ #98. I believe it's been on the WK&S since the tourist line's early days. During the 1970's it was used from time to time as an extra fare car on the WK&S' trains. During this time it carried the name "Golden Hawk". It trailed the trains northbound with the observation platform against the locomotive on the return trip. IIRC, back then it was in decent shape both inside and out. Since (at least) 1980 it has been "stored equipment". Not sure if the railroad still owns it--for a while it sported someone's name and the word "club" on its sides. A recent photo of car 98 appears on the below-linked WK&S photo roster. The caption mentions that "its fate is uncertain".

BTW, this roster is part of a new (and excellent) website on the WK&S done by a (past? current?) volunteer named Jeff. At the bottom of the roster page you can click on links to more of his WK&S pages including a history and a photo gallery. Very nice job whoever this Jeff is!

Regards,
Jim Robinson


WK&S photo roster

Jim,
Thanks as always.

Jeff

jeff@compucomis.net

Jeff,

The WK&S was trying to sell it. She needs to be trucked out. Her rear platform is a bit bent from a humping incident on the CNJ.

The interior was subject to a vandalattack some years back.

Rob

As someone all to familiar with the 98 I can offer the following:

A. 98 is a converted CNJ coach. The WK&S has much paperwork on the car and the conversion. The coach number escapes me at the moment but the car is rather unique due to the conversion and not originally constructed as a private car.

B. The 98 arrived at Kempton circa 1966. It had been purchased by a group who was in the process of creating a "museum" train, consisting of the out of service 0-4-0T #3, the Atlantic City/Ironton RR car, a B&O Pullman #X4111 (now at Strasburg RR), a RDG composite car #1055 (now the Susquehanna Valley at SRR), the 98 and the Lehigh & New England bobber #512. This equipment was parked behind the Kempton station building. After the closing in 1968 and reopening in 1970, the 98 was dug out, cleaned up and hauled on the train as an extra fare car on certain weekends. It played a part in the local department store chain Hess's fashion show several times, was a party car, and even had Horlacher Beer spelled out on the side as a promotional event.

C. 98 was humped at Allentown, PA during the move from Jersey City to Kempton and received, unfortunately, frame damage that is still visible. The CNJ offered to repair the car but the people at WK&S wanted the car as soon as possible, for reasons unknown. Hence, the saging rear platform.

D. The 98 is currently being stabilized with some repairs to the roof, a roof coating and eventual exterior painting.

E. The interior was somewhat vandalized several years ago but as the car had already been retired from the CNJ prior the move to Kempton, some of the vandalism is almost 40 years old.

F. The 98 is one of the few eastern RR private cars still in existance in an un-restored condition. It would make a great display for a group associated with the CNJ or eastern railroads in general.

G. I understand that the WK&S would like to see the car go to a good home but since the RR receives NO outside sources of income, other than the ticket sales and merchandise sales, they would obviously want to dispose of the car in the most profitable way. This money has always been funneled right back into the operation.

Hope this information clears up some confusion. I also know that many well-meaning people have tried to purchase the car. As quite a few of the offers seemed genuine, the company has, sort of, held the car in reserve, hoping that one of "purchasers" would actually follow through. Since the WK&S has been bombarded with bogus offers, I suggest only really serious people contact them about possibly purchasing the car.

Rob

rpsurv@nni.com

...Yes, that's the name I remember being on car 98 for a while--thought it was a person, turns out to be a beverage! Thanks for the history.

BTW, if NJ ever gets around to setting up a transportation museum (no breath-holding here), it would be fitting home to car 98.

Regards,
Jim Robinson