Official Black River Railroad Historic Trust Thread

[wolfboy8171981]

I understand the Black River & Western has many projects in the works, and with finally bringing No. 60 back to life, I feel that some time and money should be devoted to rehabilitating and restoring the line south to Lambertville. I just always had the feeling that the BRW never really cared in bringing service back to Lambertville ever again, yet I still have hope that maybe a train can be in Lambertville once again by 2020. Can this be possible if some restoration projects of old rolling stock at Ringoes is halted? Can there be a priority for cleaning up the line to Lambertville? I'd appreciate if and when someone can answer me.

As you know, like the NYS&WTHS, the BRRHT operates its passenger trains on the BR&W. The BRRHT has an operating agreement for the Ringoes to Flemington (and Three Bridges) portion of the line. We are a new(er) operation, being founded in 2001, but not really asserting ourselves until 2005 and finally taking over the BR&W's tourist trains, that dated to 1965, in 2011. We have been looking into a plan of action for Lambertville for some time. I'm pretty confidant we will announce something regarding Lambertville soon. I would employ you and anyone else on this forum that wants to help to stop by Ringoes on the first Saturday of the month and sit in our membership meetings and join our group and help out.

[greyhairedpete]

I starting thinking about the actual cost of reopening the line to Lambertville. I was on the tie gang for years, and if I am correct, the last time we replaced wood was around the summer of 98, and we used "relay" ties, which have a life span of 10-15 years.

I googled tie replacement costs and found this, a pdf from 2006: http://www.rta.org/assets/docs/comparit ... 0costs.pdf

According to the report, it costs an average of $95 to replace a tie, and there's 3250 ties per mile. Lets say we replace every third tie, just to make things safe. That's around $102920 per mile, not including new ballast, ditching, brush cutting, crossing work, etc. By now there's got to be a washout or two, so we'll need fill and rock brought in. And there's multiple bridges that need to be redecked, and bridge ties are more $$$$$.

There is around 6.9 mile of railroad between Lambertville and Ringoes, so at minimum we're looking at $710125.00, just for tie installation. Then add for the other work mentioned above.

Plus, even if this is accomplished, we'll need another loco, coaches, and more volunteers to crew the train.

Anyone have a couple million dollars lying around?

[Ken W2KB]

I starting thinking about the actual cost of reopening the line to Lambertville. I was on the tie gang for years, and if I am correct, the last time we replaced wood was around the summer of 98, and we used "relay" ties, which have a life span of 10-15 years.

I googled tie replacement costs and found this, a pdf from 2006: http://www.rta.org/assets/docs/comparit ... 0costs.pdf

According to the report, it costs an average of $95 to replace a tie, and there's 3250 ties per mile. Lets say we replace every third tie, just to make things safe. That's around $102920 per mile, not including new ballast, ditching, brush cutting, crossing work, etc. By now there's got to be a washout or two, so we'll need fill and rock brought in. And there's multiple bridges that need to be redecked, and bridge ties are more $$$$$.

There is around 6.9 mile of railroad between Lambertville and Ringoes, so at minimum we're looking at $710125.00, just for tie installation. Then add for the other work mentioned above.

Plus, even if this is accomplished, we'll need another loco, coaches, and more volunteers to crew the train.

Anyone have a couple million dollars lying around?

If I recall correctly for class one track (as is the in-service part of the railroad), the requirement is 5 or 6 good ties per 39 feet so the per mile number could be closer to about 800. May also be able to do it in stages. One possibility is to use a self-propelled lighter weight rail car and only operate on the track parallel to the river. The could be gotten there by rail repaired to adequate excepted level, without needing the full class one repairs to support a locomotive and cars. It could also be trucked to Lambertville and kept there. That would require only two crew members to operate, and operated during special events such as Shadfest, etc. as well as some other weekends. Then gradually work on the South Ringoes yard to Lambertville section, much as the NYS&W group has done on their part of the railroad. Obviously a substantial and ambitious project, but possible to accomplish over time. Want to help?

[greyhairedpete]

Ken - I would love to help, I even went as far as to take the safety test earlier in the year.

I've had some personal issues come up that have taken up most of my time this spring and summer, but things are looking better this autumn.

Does the BDRV still own the Delaware turtle motorcar? Could that be used between L'ville station and route 202 in the beginning?

Peter S

[Ken W2KB]

Ken - I would love to help, I even went as far as to take the safety test earlier in the year.

I've had some personal issues come up that have taken up most of my time this spring and summer, but things are looking better this autumn.

Does the BDRV still own the Delaware turtle motorcar? Could that be used between L'ville station and route 202 in the beginning?

Peter S

The motorcar is still owned by the RR and is stored at Ringoes. It is in need of transmission repair and would be good to make some other improvements. It does seem to be a good possibility for Lambertville. Glad to hear things are improving with you!

[chuchubob]

BR&W had another successful photo freight on Sunday. #60 did a lot of switching at Three Bridges, with SW1200 1202 helping out. After the switching was completed, the train moved to pick up passengers for the trip south.

runby over the South Branch of the Raritan River

The train had a fifteen minute layover in Flemington, and staged its last runby at the pumpkin patch station.
As expected, it was a well-run, very enjoyale trip.

[David]

Great pictures, Bob! Thanks for sharing!

[OCtrainguy]

Here are some of my photos from the photo freight last Sunday.

On the way to Three Bridges, the train makes a brief stop in Flemington: http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616431" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Our second photo runby, this one adjacent to a new siding being built for a new customer: http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616432" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Up in Three Bridges, #60 moves some cars around: http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616433" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
BR&W #60 on the move again: http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616350" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
BR&W 1202 lends a hand as well, moving to a cut of cars under the careful watch of the conductor: http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616426" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Photo runby over the Raritan River (I was a bit further down than Bob was): http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616427" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We made another brief stop in Flemington. Here the crew give the engine a look over: http://octrainguy.rrpicturearchives.net ... id=3616428" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to all those who made the trip possible.

[oibu]

I know 60 is back out and the star of the show (as it should be), but is there any plan for 112 to be running again at any point this season? Thanks!

[wolfboy8171981]

#60 will not be operating the last weekend in September, which is the first weekend of the corn maze. LV 112 will most likely be used for power that weekend.

[oibu]

Thanks for the heads-up wolfboy!

[oibu]

Any chance anyone knows if the 112 is still a good bet for this weekend?

[OCtrainguy]

A friend of mine was out in Flemington on Saturday, and they were using the Lehigh Valley switcher.

[PVRX1]

112 ran this past weekend.

October will see a mix of BRW 60, BDRV 8142, LVRX 112. Most trains will have 60 on the south end and a diesel on the north end. Freight will run Sunday mornings ahead of the 1115am passenger deadhead move to Flemington, with 1202.

Two units makes things a bit easier on FRA regs regarding shoving over public crossings (stop and flag) with crossing protection.

[OCtrainguy]

Thanks for the update. I will be riding this weekend, most likely on Saturday.