Gerald's Railroads Of New Jersey
Carrol Park & Western Railroad
History
BACKGROUND HISTORY
The Carrol Park & Western's Climax (ex-Elk River
Coal & Lumber #3, converted from standard gauge) went to the Roaring
Camp & Big Trees Narrow Gauge Railroad in
CA. The small 0-4-0 (for a time converted to a 2-4-0) was an ex-Jeddo-Highland
Coal Co. Vulcan tank engine #117 was rebuilt into a tender engine
by the CP&W, painted green and red and named "Durango". This
locomotive was built to 48 inch gauge (along with 42 inch gauge, a common
gauge for coal mine railroads), hence the "weird" gauge for the CP&W
tourist line. The "odd 48" gauge was chosen because of
the anthracite mining lines that provided early
operation equipment. This locomotive and two of the coaches (rebuilt
from standard gauge cabooses) first went to a general store attraction
in VA. They were then sold to private ownership in NJ.
The private railroad at Syosset, NY was that of
the late William Willock. The line was a two foot gauge and had a small
0-4-0T, either a Porter or Davenport. Willock died some years ago, and
his railroad was scattered. The 0-4-0 and a couple
of cars are in Bayville, NJ along Route 9 in
sorry shape. If you want to see these trains in happier times, rent
the film "The Molly Maguires".
THE PINE CREEK RAILROAD
The CP&W had a ex-Newfoundland narrow gauge coach
that went to join a sister car at the Pine Creek RR at Allaire State
Park, NJ. The former CP&W coach is yet to
be restored, but its sister coach is beautifully restored and is operated
by the
Pine Creek on its trains. The CP&W
once had a number of other cars including some standard gauge cars. One
of these was an ex-PRR business car.
In late 2000, the Pine Creek Railroad and the
New Jersey Museum of Transportation collected the CPW equipment at Bayville.
One locomotive and two coaches were collected. One coach, a combine,
will be restored to be ADA accessible and will run around the loop at Allaire
State Park. The other equipment will be stored for further inspection
at a later date.
Click
here to see the 0-4-0 and its battered coaches at Bayville along Route
9. Farther into the woods are some old signals and pieces of panel
track (not visible in this photo).
Click
here to see where the original unrestored Carrol Park & Western Coach
at Allaire State Park. It is stored in the shops and is in very poor
condition.
(c) Gerald Oliveto 1-02
Pine
Creek Railroad Photo Gallery
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