Roebling Kinkora Works 80-ton Switcher

Tim Barger · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2025 10:00 am

This morning we were contacted by an organization regarding a former Roebling Kinkora Works GE 80-ton locomotive that sits in the trees on the old property in New Jersey.

It is my understanding that they are seeking someone interested in the engine that can remove the engine at their own expense.

Contact:
Michael Lamantia
mlamantia@contifederal.com

Picture of the locomotive was sent to me by this organization.

wesp · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2025 5:24 pm

I reposted this opportunity over on Facebook at Ahead of the Torch. The post has over 200 likes and several best wishes posts in just six hours! This information from one such post may be of interest

Quote:

That 80 tonner has been there for closer to 50 years. It was taken out of service by CF&I because oil and coolant were mixing. Cummins wanted 40K (back then!) to repair the engines. CF&I was on its last legs so they just parked it, and ran the 45 and 100 ton units instead. I looked at it a few years ago, was surprised how intact it was.

~Wesley

airforcerail · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2025 8:00 pm

Anyone know if it's still on at least connected rail?

I have two long frame 80 tonners already and I can envision a tripleheader of them.

wesp · **Posted:** Mon Sep 08, 2025 10:55 pm

airforcerail wrote:

Anyone know if it's still on at least connected rail?

I have two long frame 80 tonners already and I can envision a tripleheader of them.

Contact:
Michael Lamantia
mlamantia@contifederal.com

Tim Moriarty · **Joined:** Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:25 pm **Posts:** 372

Anyone know if it's still on at least connected rail?

I don't believe so. I last rode by there on the light rail line in 2005 and the entire complex had been leveled. I could see the locomotive sitting by itself in the middle of nothing. You can get a good look at the location in Google Earth but the locomotive itself isn't visible in the current view. I suspect it's obscured by tree growth.

Even if it were on connected rail, it's extremely unlikely that you could convince a railroad to move something that old that's been sitting for so long. Also, it would be best to transport it on a flat or by truck. I know of a couple of groups that learned the hard way that such switchers, even in good condition, are not designed to moved at speeds for which the traction motors are not designed. There's a reason the Army transports its GE 80-tons via specially-designed flats.

Also, the photo on the AOTT Facebook page shows no covering over the stacks, which means 50 years of no protection from Mother Nature getting in.

Anyone seriously considering acting on this one should first take a good look at it in person. By this point it may very well only be fit for scrap.